What is an autistic special interest?

What is an autistic special interest?

Special interests are frequently developed by individuals with autism spectrum disorder, expressed as an intense focus on specific topics. Neurotypical individuals also develop special interests, often in the form of hobbies.

How long do autism special interests last?

Special interests can seem to arrive from nowhere and last for weeks, months or even years. One thing is fairly certain – when one interest ends it will be replaced by another.

How inflexibility and special interests may affect individuals on the autism spectrum?

Summary: Young people with autism may find it difficult to multitask because they stick rigidly to tasks in the order they are given to them, according to new research.

Can an autistic persons special interest be a person?

Many autistics have a special interest or obsession that revolves around objects or factual topics. Some may be surprised to learn that a subgroup of autistics become fixated on people or a particular person. People-watching then becomes their “obsession” or “special interest.”

What is considered special interest?

Definition of special interest : a person or group seeking to influence legislative or government policy to further often narrowly defined interests especially : lobby.

How long do interests last?

Some children move from one interest or obsession to another, and the interests last for weeks or months before they change. Others develop an interest – for example, in trains – in early childhood and continue this interest through adolescence and into adulthood. Some autistic children and teenagers have rituals.

What makes autism special?

Each child with autism spectrum disorder is likely to have a unique pattern of behavior and level of severity — from low functioning to high functioning. Some children with autism spectrum disorder have difficulty learning, and some have signs of lower than normal intelligence.

Whats the difference between a special interest and a hobby?

A hobby may be something a person cultivates over several years; a special interest makes them want to know everything about it they can get their hands on. Special interests need to be done—we need to do them and talk about them and partake in them and share them, and however else they can be verbed into action.

What are some examples of special interest?

While there are many other topics that can be classified as special interests, these are just a few common ones we typically observe.

• Woodworking.
• Computers.
• Art.
• Cooking.
• Music.
• Taking Things Apart.
• Coins.
• Books.

Do you have a special interest in autism spectrum disorder?

In light of this — if you have a partner, child or friend with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), I beseech you to recognize their special interests as more than just an obsession or a nuisance, unless of course it is actively destructive. Please know it can also serve a purpose and be inherently beneficial.

What does it mean to be on the autism spectrum?

These interests usually hold focus around how things work versus how society functions. Therefore, individuals on the spectrum, have strong and almost obsessive levels of focus on things that spark their interest. Oftentimes, these potentially lifelong interests form in youth, and continue through adult hood.

What percentage of children with ASD have intense interests?

In contrast, according to Attwood (2003), when dealing with children with ASD, researchers observed an incredible 90\% developing intense interests (Jordan & Caldwell-Harris, 2012).

What are the core aspects of autism?

Two major core aspects of autism are repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. It’s widely believed that children with autism have a decreased interest for socializing and therefore seek out other interests. These interests can be narrow and quite focused on certain topics, subjects, and hobbies.