<p>There have been studies <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225397896_Mathematical_Talent_is_Linked_to_Autism" rel="noreferrer">[1]</a>,<a href="http://docs.autismresearchcentre.com/papers/2001_BCetal_AQ.pdf" rel="noreferrer">[2]</a> investigating the relationship between autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) and mathematical or scientific ability. In the first study, <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225397896_Mathematical_Talent_is_Linked_to_Autism" rel="noreferrer">Baron-Cohen et al (2007)</a> examined 378 undergraduate mathematics students with 414 students from other disciplines (medicine, law, social science). There was a ninefold increase in the rates of autism in the mathematics group compared to the control group (seven cases of autism 1.85% in the math group vs one case of autism 0.24% in the control group). </p>

<p>There is some evidence that seem to indicate that individuals with higher mathematical ability <em>might</em> have more autistic traits. Baron-Cohen has suggested that there is an empathizing–systemizing difference where empathy is mutually exclusive to systematizing or conceptualization but this is hotly contested <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239781577_The_empathising-systemising_theory_of_autism_Implications_for_education" rel="noreferrer">[3]</a>. </p>

<p>So what is the relationship between mathematical ability and autism?</p>

<p><em>(The distinction between postgrad and undergrad maths is discussed in another question - <a href="https://psychology.stackexchange.com/questions/23911/what-is-the-reason-why-mathematicians-have-more-autistic-traits-than-others">Is there any evidence for the distinction between undergrad and postgrad mathematics?</a></em>)</p>

<hr>

<p><strong>References</strong></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>[1] Baron-Cohen, Simon, Sally Wheelwright, Amy Burtenshaw, and Esther Hobson. <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225397896_Mathematical_Talent_is_Linked_to_Autism" rel="noreferrer">"Mathematical talent is linked to autism."</a> Human nature 18, no. 2 (2007): 125-131.</p>
  
  <p>[2] Baron-Cohen, Simon, Sally Wheelwright, Richard Skinner, Joanne Martin, and Emma Clubley. <a href="http://docs.autismresearchcentre.com/papers/2001_BCetal_AQ.pdf" rel="noreferrer">"The autism-spectrum quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism, males and females, scientists and mathematicians."</a> Journal of autism and developmental disorders 31, no. 1 (2001): 5-17.</p>
  
  <p>[3] Baron-Cohen, S. (2009). <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239781577_The_empathising-systemising_theory_of_autism_Implications_for_education" rel="noreferrer">The empathising-systemising theory of autism: Implications for education</a>. Tizard Learning Disability Review, 14, 4–13. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/13595474200900022" rel="noreferrer">https://doi.org/10.1108/13595474200900022</a></p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-24T02:43:50.533Z
This paper is interesting and somewhat counters Baron-Cohen's proposition - https://www.nature.com/articles/srep23011
Poidah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-24T04:55:06.820Z
This genetic study of mathematicians would be exciting when it is published - https://www.templetonworldcharity.org/projects/investigating-mathematical-talent-and-autism-using-genetics-and-epigenetics
Poidah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-24T04:57:42.633Z
A study finding ventral temporal-occipital cortex differences - https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/superior-math-skills-may-accompany-autism-study-suggests/
Poidah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-25T02:04:08.877Z
@Poidah Wow; Thank you very much for this pointer! That study would answer precisely the question I was thinking about, and in a way much _much_ superior than anything I was hoping for!
Tim Wright
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-25T02:04:23.313Z
It might also be useful to mention for anyone who happens to read this that **Baron-Cohen's team [are looking for participants**](https://maths.autismresearchcentre.net/): individuals pursuing/holding a degree in a mathematics related area with or without a clinically diagnosed autism spectrum condition.
Tim Wright
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-25T02:06:08.753Z
From the registration page: "**Who can take part?** *Anyone who is pursuing or has obtained a degree in mathematical sciences, theoretical physics, statistics, computational sciences or other mathematically related subjects from specific universities is eligible to participate. We are looking for people who have a clinical diagnosis of autism. We are also looking for individuals with a maths background as described above but with no diagnosis of autism or immediate family history of autism. This group of participants is important to make genetic comparisons.*"
Tim Wright
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-25T05:11:01.207Z
Really interesting. Thanks Tim. It seems to be quite an exciting area to examine
Poidah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-02T06:36:03.480Z
@Poidah I realise this is over a year old now, but considering your pointers were very helpful, have you considered turning your comments into a full answer?
Chris Rogers
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-04T02:12:53.863Z
@Chris There is still mixed evidence in the literature it seems, making it hard to craft a half decent answer. This 2018 paper argues for a relationship between systematisers and maths - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-30013-8
Poidah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-04T02:13:41.677Z
My sentiment is similar to this paper, that there is a range and a broad generalisation is not helpful...  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330741750_Mathematical_Skills_in_Autism_Spectrum_Disorder
Poidah
<autism><mathematical-ability><aspergers>
What is the relationship between mathematical ability and autism?
Tim Wright
# What is the relationship between mathematical ability and autism?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-08-24)

There have been studies [[1]](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225397896_Mathematical_Talent_is_Linked_to_Autism),[[2]](http://docs.autismresearchcentre.com/papers/2001_BCetal_AQ.pdf) investigating the relationship between autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) and mathematical or scientific ability. In the first study, [Baron-Cohen et al (2007)](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225397896_Mathematical_Talent_is_Linked_to_Autism) examined 378 undergraduate mathematics students with 414 students from other disciplines (medicine, law, social science). There was a ninefold increase in the rates of autism in the mathematics group compared to the control group (seven cases of autism 1.85% in the math group vs one case of autism 0.24% in the control group).

There is some evidence that seem to indicate that individuals with higher mathematical ability *might* have more autistic traits. Baron-Cohen has suggested that there is an empathizing–systemizing difference where empathy is mutually exclusive to systematizing or conceptualization but this is hotly contested [[3]](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239781577_The_empathising-systemising_theory_of_autism_Implications_for_education).

So what is the relationship between mathematical ability and autism?

*(The distinction between postgrad and undergrad maths is discussed in another question - [Is there any evidence for the distinction between undergrad and postgrad mathematics?](https://psychology.stackexchange.com/questions/23911/what-is-the-reason-why-mathematicians-have-more-autistic-traits-than-others)*)

---

**References**

> [1] Baron-Cohen, Simon, Sally Wheelwright, Amy Burtenshaw, and Esther Hobson. ["Mathematical talent is linked to autism."](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225397896_Mathematical_Talent_is_Linked_to_Autism) Human nature 18, no. 2 (2007): 125-131.
>
> [2] Baron-Cohen, Simon, Sally Wheelwright, Richard Skinner, Joanne Martin, and Emma Clubley. ["The autism-spectrum quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism, males and females, scientists and mathematicians."](http://docs.autismresearchcentre.com/papers/2001_BCetal_AQ.pdf) Journal of autism and developmental disorders 31, no. 1 (2001): 5-17.
>
> [3] Baron-Cohen, S. (2009). [The empathising-systemising theory of autism: Implications for education](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239781577_The_empathising-systemising_theory_of_autism_Implications_for_education). Tizard Learning Disability Review, 14, 4–13. <https://doi.org/10.1108/13595474200900022>

**Tags:** autism, mathematical-ability, aspergers

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This paper is interesting and somewhat counters Baron-Cohen's proposition - https://www.nature.com/articles/srep23011  
> **username_1**: This genetic study of mathematicians would be exciting when it is published - https://www.templetonworldcharity.org/projects/investigating-mathematical-talent-and-autism-using-genetics-and-epigenetics  
> **username_1**: A study finding ventral temporal-occipital cortex differences - https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/superior-math-skills-may-accompany-autism-study-suggests/  
> **username_0**: @username_1 Wow; Thank you very much for this pointer! That study would answer precisely the question I was thinking about, and in a way much _much_ superior than anything I was hoping for!  
> **username_0**: It might also be useful to mention for anyone who happens to read this that **Baron-Cohen's team [are looking for participants**](https://maths.autismresearchcentre.net/): individuals pursuing/holding a degree in a mathematics related area with or without a clinically diagnosed autism spectrum condition.  
> **username_0**: From the registration page: "**Who can take part?** *Anyone who is pursuing or has obtained a degree in mathematical sciences, theoretical physics, statistics, computational sciences or other mathematically related subjects from specific universities is eligible to participate. We are looking for people who have a clinical diagnosis of autism. We are also looking for individuals with a maths background as described above but with no diagnosis of autism or immediate family history of autism. This group of participants is important to make genetic comparisons.*"  
> **username_1**: Really interesting. Thanks Tim. It seems to be quite an exciting area to examine  
> **username_2**: @username_1 I realise this is over a year old now, but considering your pointers were very helpful, have you considered turning your comments into a full answer?  
> **username_1**: @Chris There is still mixed evidence in the literature it seems, making it hard to craft a half decent answer. This 2018 paper argues for a relationship between systematisers and maths - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-30013-8  
> **username_1**: My sentiment is similar to this paper, that there is a range and a broad generalisation is not helpful...  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330741750_Mathematical_Skills_in_Autism_Spectrum_Disorder  

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## 0 answers

