Special interest (autism)

Highly focused interests most common in autistic people

Special interests are highly focused interests common in autistic people.[1]

Autistic art depicting a girl's special interest in cats

Special interests are more intense than typical interests, such as hobbies,[2] and may take up much of a person's free time. A person with a special interest will often hyperfocus on their special interest for hours, want to learn as much as possible on the topic,[3] collect related items,[4] and incorporate their special interest into play[5] and art.[6] Some interests are more likely to be seen as special interests if they are particularly unusual, specific, or niche.[2] Autism rights advocates and psychologists say this binary of acceptable "passions" and pathologised "obsessions" is unfair.[7][8] Terms like circumscribed interests,[9] obsessions, or restricted interests[10] have historically been used to describe special interests, but these terms are discouraged by autism rights advocates.[7]

Special interests are sometimes confused with hyperfixation.[11] Hyperfixations are short-lived periods of strong interest in a subject over a few days to months which can occur in anyone (although are especially common in people with ADHD),[12] while special interests are an autistic trait and usually last years.[13] A person may hyperfixate on a special interest.

## Occurrence and development

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Around 75–90% of autistic people develop a special interest,[4] with some studies claiming as high as 95%.[14] Special interests are often developed between one and four years of age but may not develop until adulthood.[4] Many special interests start in children as a fascination with a particular object (e.g. Thomas the Tank Engine) and later develop into an interest in a specific topic (e.g. trains).[2] A special interest may change over time or last a person's whole life.[15] A 2014 survey found that the average number of special interests an autistic person has is 2, and the average longevity is 13 years.[2]

Special interests in autistic people were first written about in 1943 by Leo Kanner as a trait of classic autism and a year later by Hans Asperger when writing about Asperger syndrome.[2] Special interests were later one of the traits listed when autism first appeared in the DSM-3 in 1980.[2] In 2024, special interests are listed as a diagnostic trait of autism in the current DSM-5-TR, described as "highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus (e.g., strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests)".[16]

Common areas of special interests are transportation, animals, sports, and popular culture.[17]

## Engagement

[edit]

Engaging in special interests can bring autistic people great joy[18][19] and many autistic people spend large amounts of time engaged in their special interest.[20] In adults, engaging with special interests has been shown to have positive outcomes for mental health,[21] self-esteem,[22] and can be used to manage stress.[17]

Special interests can sometimes interfere with other areas of a person's life, such as school.[23] In children, incorporating a child's special interest into their education has been shown to improve learning outcomes,[24][22] increase attention on learning topics[25] and teach behaviours such as sportsmanship.[26] Students have been shown to write better when writing about their special interest compared to a control topic.[27] A 2022 study showed 25% of autistic people who worked had employment in their area of special interest and that adults with employable special interests may have better employment outcomes.[28] Special interests may lead people to become child prodigies or savants in their area of interest.[17]

### Social interaction

[edit]

Encouraging discussion of a special interest can help autistic people develop social skills[17] and help them find social communities.[29][30]

Special interests may lead to social difficulties if the person does not want to discuss any other topic, and conversations may become one-sided[2] especially when infodumping.[31] Some special interests may be more socially acceptable than others, such as an interest in electricity pylons being seen as odder than an interest in horses or football teams.[17] Autistic people who are aware of this may deliberately stop themself from talking about their special interest as a form of masking,[17] especially if they have been mocked for their interest in the past.[14] Special interests may be atypical for a person's age.[2][32]

Autism acceptance proponents encourage autistic people to embrace their special interests, as long as they are not interfering with other parts of a person's life.[33] Special interests can be used by autistic people as a way to understand the world and allistic[a] people.[34]

## Examples

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Environmental activist Greta Thunberg has credited her success to her special interests.[35][36] She explained to The Guardian in 2021, "A lot of people with autism have a special interest that they can sit and do for an eternity without getting bored. It’s a very useful thing sometimes...[if] you feel you have a purpose, then it can be something you can use for good, and I think I'm doing that now".[37]

## See also

[edit]

* Stimming
* Autistic art

## Notes

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1. ^ Non-autistic

## References

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1. ^ "Special interests". Ambitious about Autism. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Armstrong, Kimberly Ann (2014-10-17). "Interests in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder". summit.sfu.ca. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
3. ^ https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-children-special-interests/. Original release on April 29, 2024. Retrieved on May 19, 2024.
4. ^ a b c Caldwell-Harris, Catherine L.; Jordan, Chloe J. (2014-01-01). "Systemizing and special interests: Characterizing the continuum from neurotypical to autism spectrum disorder". Learning and Individual Differences. 29: 98–105. doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2013.10.005. ISSN 1041-6080.
5. ^ Spiker, Michael A.; Lin, C. Enjey; Van Dyke, Marilyn; Wood, Jeffrey J. (May 2012). "Restricted interests and anxiety in children with autism". Autism. 16 (3): 306–320. doi:10.1177/1362361311401763. ISSN 1362-3613. PMID 21705474.
6. ^ "Art and Identity on the Spectrum". YES! Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
7. ^ a b Bastow, Clem (2021-07-06). "If I wasn't autistic, would my encyclopedic knowledge of dinosaurs be a problem?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
8. ^ Krauss, David (2023-02-19). "De-Pathologizing the 'Intense Special Interests' of Autism". Psychology Today. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
9. ^ Porter, Noriko (2012-06-01). "Promotion of Pretend Play for Children with High-Functioning Autism Through the Use of Circumscribed Interests". Early Childhood Education Journal. 40 (3): 161–167. doi:10.1007/s10643-012-0505-1. ISSN 1573-1707.
10. ^ Spiker, Michael A.; Lin, C. Enjey; Van Dyke, Marilyn; Wood, Jeffrey J. (2012-05-01). "Restricted interests and anxiety in children with autism". Autism. 16 (3): 306–320. doi:10.1177/1362361311401763. ISSN 1362-3613. PMID 21705474.
11. ^ Huang, Claire (2022-08-31). "A Snapshot Into ADHD: The Impact of Hyperfixations and Hyperfocus From Adolescence to Adulthood". Journal of Student Research. 11 (3). doi:10.47611/jsrhs.v11i3.2987. ISSN 2167-1907.
12. ^ "Hyperfixation: What Is It & How to Manage It". Thriveworks. 2024-02-02. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
13. ^ Wakeman, Caressa (2022-06-28). "May 14, 2024 | Neurodiversity in Engineering". Retrieved 2024-05-15.
14. ^ a b Bross, Leslie Ann; Huffman, Jonathan M.; Hagiwara, Mayumi (2022-01-01). "Examining the special interest areas of autistic adults with a focus on their employment and mental health outcomes". Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. 57 (3): 289–305. doi:10.3233/JVR-221218. ISSN 1052-2263.
15. ^ Davey, Lydia (2020-05-31). "Using the special interests of autistic children to facilitate meaningful engagement and learning". Good Autism Practice (GAP). 21 (1): 43–64.
16. ^ CDC (2022-11-02). "Diagnostic Criteria | Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | NCBDDD | CDC". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
17. ^ a b c d e f Winter-Messiers, Mary Ann (2007-05-01). "From Tarantulas to Toilet Brushes: Understanding the Special Interest Areas of Children and Youth With Asperger Syndrome". Remedial and Special Education. 28 (3): 140–152. doi:10.1177/07419325070280030301. ISSN 0741-9325.
18. ^ "How being a Titanic autistic helped me find my voice". ABC Everyday. 2024-01-09. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
19. ^ Blackwater, Amelia (2024-04-13). "How I Experience Autistic Joy". The Mighty. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
20. ^ Bross, Leslie Ann; Huffman, Jonathan M.; Hagiwara, Mayumi (2022-01-01). "Examining the special interest areas of autistic adults with a focus on their employment and mental health outcomes". Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. 57 (3): 289–305. doi:10.3233/JVR-221218. ISSN 1052-2263.
21. ^ Grove, Rachel; Hoekstra, Rosa A; Wierda, Marlies; Begeer, Sander (May 2018). "Special interests and subjective wellbeing in autistic adults". Autism Research. 11 (5): 766–775. doi:10.1002/aur.1931. hdl:1871.1/d5c70844-3d23-4e71-8c5d-82533196b003. ISSN 1939-3792. PMID 29427546.
22. ^ a b Bredlau, Maggie (2017-09-01). "From Railways to Radiators: How Support Teams Can Use Special Interests to Promote Success Among Individuals with Autism". Journal of Educational Leadership in Action. 5 (1). doi:10.62608/2164-1102.1047. ISSN 2164-1102.
23. ^ "Obsessions and repetitive behaviour - a guide for all audiences". www.autism.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
24. ^ Davey, Lydia (2020-05-31). "Using the special interests of autistic children to facilitate meaningful engagement and learning". Good Autism Practice (GAP). 21 (1): 43–64.
25. ^ Wood, Rebecca (2021-01-02). "Autism, intense interests and support in school: from wasted efforts to shared understandings". Educational Review. 73 (1): 34–54. doi:10.1080/00131911.2019.1566213. ISSN 0013-1911.
26. ^ Keeling, Katharine; Smith Myles, Brenda; Gagnon, Elisa; Simpson, Richard L. (2003-05-01). "Using the Power Card Strategy to Teach Sportsmanship Skills to a Child with Autism". Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. 18 (2): 105–111. doi:10.1177/108835760301800204. ISSN 1088-3576.
27. ^ Sivertson, Krista (2010). "Stories from the Spectrum: How Special Interest Areas Affect Writing Quality for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders". hdl:11299/185741. `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
28. ^ Bross, Leslie Ann; Huffman, Jonathan M.; Hagiwara, Mayumi (2022-01-01). "Examining the special interest areas of autistic adults with a focus on their employment and mental health outcomes". Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. 57 (3): 289–305. doi:10.3233/JVR-221218. ISSN 1052-2263.
29. ^ Long, Rebecca-Eli M. (2024-02-26). "Access Points: Understanding Special Interests Through Autistic Narratives". Autism in Adulthood. doi:10.1089/aut.2023.0157. ISSN 2573-9581.
30. ^ Hobbs, Laura; Hartley, Calum; Bentley, Sophie; Bibby, Jordan; Lauren, Bowden; Hartley, Jackie; Stevens, Carley (2020-12-01). "Shared special interest play in a specific extra-curricular group setting: a Minecraft Club for children with Special Educational Needs". Educational and Child Psychology. 37 (4): 81–95. doi:10.53841/bpsecp.2020.37.4.81.
31. ^ https://www.andnextcomesl.com/2022/09/infodumping-in-autism.html
32. ^ Motokane, Christine (2024-04-30). "How Pressure to Be 'Age Appropriate' Can Harm Autistic People". The Mighty. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
33. ^ Zukor, Leslie A. (2023-04-27). "Autistic People Should Embrace Our Special Interests". The Mighty. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
34. ^ Moss, Haley (2020-04-02). "For Autistic People, Star Trek Can be a Lens Into the World". www.startrek.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
35. ^ Silberman, Steve (2019-05-06). "Greta Thunberg became a climate activist not in spite of her autism, but because of it". Vox. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
36. ^ Ryan, Maggie (2024-04-12). "These 12 Celebrities With Autism Are Opening Up About Life on the Spectrum". SheKnows. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
37. ^ "Greta Thunberg: 'I really see the value of friendship. Apart from the climate, almost nothing else matters'". the Guardian. Retrieved 2024-06-16.

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