SPEEDY calculations and a love of numbers have helped Aaron Herrmann beat almost half a million students nationwide in an online maths competition.

Aaron, 14, who has an autism spectrum disorder, came first in the Commonwealth Bank Australian Maths Challenge, ahead of 449,315 primary and high school students across the land.

The Seaford 6-12 student, who has limited speech and works at a Year 5 level for other subjects, took part in the Mathletics challenge on September 4 and 5.

Maths teacher and mentor Alicia Read said Aaron's passion for solving mathematical equations has resulted in him excelling in class and at "Mathletics", where he regularly ranks among the top in the world.

"With his autism, (maths) is an obsession," Ms Read says.

"He just loves his Mathletics."

Ms Read, who helped introduce Mathletics to the school this year, teaches Aaron twice a week.

"This is a huge focus for him," she says.

"I'm super-excited. We're so proud of him."

Aaron and his family travelled to Sydney on October 18 to receive the gold medal for SA and a commendation for his overall ranking.

His parents Nigel and Melinda and sister Holly, 9, said they were pleased with his efforts.

"(We are) just unbelievably proud," Mr Herrmann said.

"I've said to a few people that words can hardly describe it," Mr Herrmann said.

Mrs Herrmann urged other parents with a special needs child to persist in finding activities for them to embrace.

"There's talent in there ... it's just untapped and we didn't even know that Aaron had this ability until Year 7," Mrs Herrmann said.

"It's a very special gift ... I actually got my first kiss (from Aaron) last November and a couple of hugs before that.

"I just want to get it out to parents, please do not give up."

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Originally published as Maths whiz tops nation