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Celebrating Special Interests in Autism

A small child in a striped shirt plays with multicolored Lego blocks

By Tiffany Joseph, Bened Life Neurodiversity and Disability Consultant

Autistic people of all ages can have strong and extremely focused interests. These interests can be lifelong, may change over time, or might pop up at any time. Our passions are great paths into possible careers or lifelong calming and regulating activities.

These special interests stem from a pure love and joy for the sense of connection they create. It feels like wanting to know more and more about something in order to be ever closer to it. Our special interests are not called this because they are different or unusual. They are special because they are something we engage in to study in great depth, similar to how experts have a specialty or specialize in something.

What are Autism Special Interests?

Special interests feel all-encompassing and fulfilling at the same time. They awaken an elusive activating energy inside me. My interests create a powerful sense of joy, focus, and calm that while being difficult to describe, is ultimately purposeful. 

Special interests may develop around specific art forms or genres. They may manifest as a strong interest in a specific field of study. They may even involve diving deep into the world of a video game or TV show franchise. 

Many people who aren’t Autistic confuse special interests with obsessions or take them as lightly as mere hobbies. But they are so much more than that for us. Calling our passions “obsessions" is inaccurate and insulting. That’s like calling someone’s children or loved ones their obsessions. A special interest is like a relationship – there is a give and take.

This is important to understand, especially for parents, therapists, and educators. Special interests present a key way to connect with us socially and educationally. 

At the same time, it’s important that our interests and favorite things are not used as reinforcers or punishments to compel certain behavior. Doing this only makes Autistic people eventually numb to passion in general if they begin to associate these activities with an extrinsic reward. And that’s no way to live for anyone.

Two Autistic people sit at a table on a patio, holding their phones. Both are smiling. One person reaches out as if to show the phone to the other

The Value of Special Interests

Special interests are vital for Autistic individuals for several reasons: 

Identity & Self Confidence

Special interests can be a core part of an Autistic person’s identity, giving them a sense of purpose and achievement. Mastery and specialization of their interest area can build confidence and help us feel valued and capable. 

These interests are not just hobbies; they’re a fundamental aspect of who we are as people. This connection can help us feel grounded and provide a sense of belonging when we find others who share our passion, whether in person or in online communities. 

Inner Motivation

These passions can motivate Autistic people to participate in activities or learn concepts that might otherwise be too difficult or boring otherwise. They help build the inner drive for tenacity and perseverance too. 

For example, my kid had an intense interest in animals, and his teachers helped him feel motivated to read or practice academic skills as part of that passion that he otherwise wouldn’t have. They created lessons that used animals as the main idea. Special interests often fuel a fire of endless curiosity. This isn’t just casual –  it’s relentless. 

Special interests create a need to understand every detail, collect new knowledge, and envision a better future within that niche. This drive can feel exhilarating, like embarking on a never-ending quest for discovery. 

Emotional Comfort & Stability

Special interests can provide a sense of stability, predictability, and comfort in a world that may feel overwhelming. Engaging with a special interest can be calming and help reduce anxiety and/or manage sensory overload. 

Engaging with a special interest can also bring intense joy – it’s indescribable and pure. I think it is best described as life-affirming.  

Social Connection

Even though social situations can be challenging for Autistic individuals, special interests can help fill the gap. They offer a way for people to connect with others who share similar interests, or for us to teach others about our passions, thus promoting and easing usually rough social interactions. 

For instance, as I mentioned before, my oldest son was able to talk about animals and insects but not much else for a while, which helped him practice social skills talking about something predictable and fun. It provides him a way to forget that he usually gets this part of his life wrong and just freely enter the world of conversation.

Skill Formation

Special interests can power important skill development such as critical thinking, organization, memory, and attention to detail. They can lead to expertise in areas like art, music, technology, or sciences, which may later become careers or turn into lifelong hobbies we enjoy. These hobbies can help self-regulate and calm or soothe depression and anxiety. 

The aforementioned “never-ending quest for discovery” very much leads to self-teaching us how to learn deeply, make connections and find patterns, and organize thoughts and ideas to build on to create further learning opportunities. Many times, interests alone are better than traditional therapies for gaining various lifelong skills.

Absorption & Engagement

These interests can supply a profound and almost meditative focus, where time seems to melt away. This high level of concentration can feel exhilarating, like a flow state. It’s common to lose track of hours as we Autistic people immerse ourselves in studying, research, and being fully engrossed in an interest. 

Relief & Comfort

For many Autistic people, special interests serve as safe spaces where we feel understood, relaxed, and in control. Contrast that with a world that can seem overwhelming and/or unpredictable, and it’s easy to see how focusing on an interest can bring a sense of peace, stillness, and relief from stress or overload. 

Source of Self-Expression

Special interests can also feel like a powerful outlet for self-expression. Whether through art, writing, discussion, performance, projects, research, or study, they offer a way to communicate who the person is. For some, expressing ourselves through our interest may even be easier than using words or speech to describe feelings or experiences. 

Graphic listing ways to support special interests in Autistic people, which are also enumerated in the headlines below

How to Support Special Interests 

For parents and educators, celebrating and supporting special interests in Autistic individuals can be a meaningful way to connect, empower, and encourage growth in academic, social, and life skills. Here are some practical ways to honor and involve those interests: 

Incorporate Interests into Learning

It’s so important to find ways to bring the student's special interest into educational activities. For example, if a student is interested in trains, include trains in reading exercises, math problems, science projects, etc. This approach can make learning more appealing and encourages positive academic experiences. 

Create Opportunities for Social Sharing

Adults have to create the chances actively for the student to share their interests with others, even if they are Nonspeaking, only use echolalia, scripting, or have limited speech. This could be through class presentations, “show and tell” sessions, or creating a craft or display. 

It can also be practiced through speech, put on cards, or put in low-, mid-, or high-tech AAC devices (augmentative and assistive communication, which means non-speech communication). Allowing them to become a “subject matter expert” helps build confidence and fosters social connections. 

Use Interests as Social Bridges

Many Autistic individuals find it easier to socialize around their interests. Take advantage of potential social opportunities, such as connecting peers who share similar interests. Make up games that involve shared interests for more than one person, or collect and share online media on a platform like Pinterest. 

Encourage Skill Development

Help develop skills related to the child’s special interest, which can become assets for future careers or hobbies. For example, Autistic children fascinated by animals might benefit from a junior zoology class, or interest in computers could be supported by coding classes. 

Celebrate Achievements & Milestones

When something related to an interest is accomplished, such as completing a complex model, memorizing new facts, or finishing a project, take time to celebrate! Positive reinforcement acknowledges their effort and success, reinforcing that their passion is something of which to be proud.

Engage in Interests Together

Show curiosity and join in exploring your child or student’s interests. Ask questions and help research the answers, participate in activities, or attend events (like train museums, zoo trips, fairs, etc.) that align with their passion. This can nourish the bond between your loved one and others while communicating that their interests are valid and worth people’s attention. 

Why I Love My Autistic Special Interests

My special interests from childhood still have a profound effect on the way I do things in my life as an adult. I still choose my music based on my obsession (only I can call it that) with George Gershwin’s music and Ira Gershwin’s lyricism. I fell in love with bands like Metallica and Panic! At The Disco and musicians like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar all because they remind me of George and Ira in various ways. 

As you can see, special interests are powerful in an Autistic person’s life. They are vital ways to connect us to various life skills and even life pathways. And still today, when I need comfort from the world, I retreat back to my old special interests to feel like myself again.

About the author:

Tiffany "TJ" Joseph is an Autistic adult working in accessible education with teen and young adult Autistic nonspeakers. She herself is Hard of Hearing and utilizes many ways to communicate including ASL, mouth words, and high-tech AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). Their passion in the disability space is communication and education rights for people of all disabilities. Find TJ on social media at Nigh Functioning Autism.

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