How Difficulty with Abstract Concepts Affects Financial Understanding in Autism

PostedDecember 15, 2025

UpdatedDecember 15, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Hannah Smith, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Money is one of the most abstract ideas people learn to manage. It represents value, exchange, and time concepts that are not always visible or concrete. For many autistic individuals, understanding and applying these abstract concepts can be challenging. According to NHS guidance, autistic people may find ideas such as time, money, and value difficult to interpret, so structured, step-by-step teaching and visual budgeting tools are often helpful.

Why Abstract Thinking Matters in Financial Learning

Managing money involves flexible and conceptual thinking. Tasks like budgeting, saving, or understanding interest require people to imagine future outcomes and make decisions based on unseen values. For those who think more literally, these ideas can feel confusing or inconsistent. The National Autistic Society notes that autistic people may find money management stressful because it involves estimation and prediction. Practical supports such as labelled envelopes, spending trackers, and visual budgets can make financial learning clearer and less abstract.

According to NICE guidance, autistic adults should receive support in developing financial and daily living skills through practical, structured, and concrete teaching. This includes using real money, written examples, and repeated practice to link abstract financial ideas with everyday experiences.

What Research Shows

Research confirms that differences in abstract reasoning and executive function can affect financial understanding in autism. A 2025 StatPearls review found that conceptual skill domains such as time and money are often harder for autistic individuals to master, influencing independent financial behaviour (PubMed).
In a 2025 Frontiers in Education study, researchers evaluated a practical maths programme for neurodivergent adults, showing that structured, visual, and context-based teaching significantly improved understanding of abstract financial concepts such as budgeting and value management (Frontiers in Education).

Autistica highlights that differences in abstract reasoning and cognitive flexibility can affect independence and money management, but targeted life-skills interventions can help close this gap.

Building Confidence with Structure

Difficulties with abstract reasoning do not mean autistic people cannot manage money. Instead, they may benefit from clear, literal, and visual teaching methods that make financial ideas tangible. The WHO ICD-11 explains that differences in cognitive flexibility and executive functioning can influence life skills, but structured learning approaches improve independence and confidence.

Takeaway

When financial learning is taught using visual tools, repetition, and real examples, abstract concepts become concrete and achievable. With the right support, autistic people can build confidence, independence, and understanding in managing money.

If you are exploring autism-related learning and support options, visit Autism Detect for professional guidance and early identification resources.

Hannah Smith, MSc

Author

Hannah Smith is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and over three years of experience in behaviour therapy, special education, and inclusive practices. She specialises in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and inclusive education strategies. Hannah has worked extensively with children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities, delivering evidence-based interventions to support development, mental health, and well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.