What are autistic interests?

These interests are extremely common among people with autism: 75 to 95 percent have them. An interest may involve collecting items such as postcards or dolls, listening to or playing music in a repetitive way, or focusing intensely on a narrow topic, such as insects fighting.

Do autistic people have interests?

Special interests are one of the most common characteristics of people with autism. Historically, some interventions for autism have tried to limit them or use them largely as a reward for good behavior. But many people with autism consider these interests to be an important strength and a way to relieve stress.

Why do people with autism have obsessive interests?

When they feel stressed because they don’t understand what’s going on around them, obsessions and rituals let them take some control of their surroundings. Sensory sensitivities can lead to some autistic children developing obsessions and rituals.

What does an autistic special interest feel like?

Calm in a chaotic world Focussing on a special interest can bring much needed order and a sense of calm in an often stressful and unpredictable world. Many special interests include an element of gathering objects or facts, collating and ordering them into logical collections which are familiar, routine and soothing.

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.

Whats the difference between a Hyperfixation and special interest?

Ok, I can’t guarantee this will be correct but to my knowledge this is the answer: hyperfixation is an ability to concentrate on one thing for immense amounts of time or the act of doing so and a special interest is the object of that concentration.

What makes a special interest?

A special interest can be an intense interest in a broad subject (architecture) or a narrowly focused interest (mid-12th century Cistercian monasteries). Generally, narrowly focused interests are also intense, but a special interest doesn’t have to be stereotypically narrow to qualify.

Do all Aspergers have special interests?

Probably more than 90\% of individuals with asperger autism do have a special interest [2]. Kinds of topics are broad. They can be about nature, such as about dinosaurs or desert reptiles. Also technical topics, like data about cars or stages of a railway network, can become a special interest [3].

What does a special interest feel like?

Can you have a special interest on 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.”

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.

What are the interests of people with autism?

Many autistic people have intense and highly-focused interests, often from a fairly young age. These can change over time or be lifelong. It can be art, music, gardening, animals, postcodes or numbers.

What are the obsessions of children with autism?

Children with autism have various obsessions. These obsessions are, in turn, an obsession to attention, object, symmetry, maintaining sameness, and obsessive behaviors. Some children have very limited interests. They become extremely sensitive to the area they are interested in.

Are your obsessions or repetitive behaviours causing distress or anxiety?

If obsessions or repetitive behaviours are causing distress, read our advice on how to help. Intense interests and repetitive behaviour can be a source of enjoyment for autistic people and a way of coping with everyday life. But they may be obsessions and limit people’s involvement in other activities and cause distress or anxiety.

How do individuals with autism cope with daily life?

Obsessions, repetitive behaviors, and routines can be a source of pleasure for individuals with autism and a way to cope with daily life. However, this may limit their participation in other activities. It can make family life difficult.