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Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology
2025. Vol. 14, no. 3, 182–191
doi:10.17759/jmfp.2025140315
ISSN: 2304-4977 (online)

Cognitive Factors in Mathematical Skill Acquisition in Primary School Children with ASD

 
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Abstract

Difficulties in mastering mathematics are among the typical problems of school education for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this regard, the study of factors influencing the development of mathematical skills in children with ASD is of particular relevance. This review examines the role of key cognitive processes associated with the development of mathematical skills: visual-spatial abilities, executive functions, as well as symbolic and non-symbolic numerical magnitude processing skills. Analysis of the literature indicates that in children with ASD, executive functions and number processing are typically less developed compared to typical development. Visual-spatial abilities show high variability: a subgroup can be identified among children with ASD characterized by a cognitive profile with a peak in visual-spatial abilities. However, this profile is not universal, which complicates definitive comparative conclusions. It has been established that these cognitive factors, as in the norm, are positively associated with mathematical achievement in ASD. At the same time, the strength of these relationships and the interaction of the factors differ from those observed in typical development. The practical significance of this review lies in the fact that understanding the specifics of cognitive factors in mathematical development in ASD can contribute to the development of more effective teaching and intervention strategies.

General Information

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, mathematics, academic skills, executive functions, visual-spatial abilities, numerical magnitude processing

Journal rubric: Psychology of Special and Inclusive Education

Article type: review article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2025140315

Funding. The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project number 25-28-01258 (https://rscf.ru/project/25-28-01258/).

Received 06.07.2025

Revised 09.09.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Pereverzeva, D.S., Mamokhina, U.A., Ilyunceva, A.A., Uskova, O.A. (2025). Cognitive Factors in Mathematical Skill Acquisition in Primary School Children with ASD. Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology, 14(3), 182–191. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2025140315

© Pereverzeva D.S., Mamokhina U.A., Ilyunceva A.A., Uskova O.A., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Darya S. Pereverzeva, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Senior Researcher of the Federal Resource Center for Organization of Comprehensive Support to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6881-3337, e-mail: dasha.pereverzeva@gmail.com

Ulyana A. Mamokhina, Researcher of the Federal Resource Center for Organization of Comprehensive Support to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2738-7201, e-mail: mamohinaua@mgppu.ru

Anna A. Ilyunceva, Junior Researcher, laboratory of complex speech research in children with autism and other developmental disorders, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2966-3261, e-mail: ilyuncevaaa@mgppu.ru

Olga A. Uskova, Junior Researcher, Federal Resource Center for Organization of Comprehensive Support to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5878-0828, e-mail: uskovaoa@mgppu.ru

Contribution of the authors

The authors contributed equally to the research, data analysis, and preparation of this manuscript
All authors participated in the discussion of the results and approved the final text of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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