Significance of Numbers

Numbers play a significant role throughout the book. Numbers provide stability for Daniel, numbers connect Daniel to the "normal" world, and Daniel's relationship with numbers creates a new language for communication between author and reader. For Daniel Tammet, numbers are more than just characters on a page used to count with or figure out how much something costs. Daniel's savant syndrome gives him the ability to transcend traditional languages and speak to others in his own form of language while still being completely understandable and relatable.

Autistic children often have difficulty adjusting to daily life unless they can establish routines. Patterns provide comfort and regularity that an autistic child can easily understand and expect. Accordingly, mathematical equations and numbers follow established rules that an autistic child may find comforting. Daniel has the added enjoyment of experiencing numbers in combination with his visual and emotional senses. The...