Special Interests and Autism

Most autistic individuals have one or more special interests. A special interest is an intense fixation that far exceeds a typical hobby or passion. An autistic person will typically have the desire to devote large portions of their time, and sometimes large portions of their money, to their special interests. Neurotypical people can and do experience fixations or passions, but having a special interest is a trait strongly associated with autism.

Here’s what you need to know about special interests, how they manifest, the benefits of encouraging them, and more.

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Common autistic traits include repetitive behavior and intense and narrow interests. Around 75-95% of autistic individuals report having at least one special interest, and the DMS-V lists “Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) as a diagnostic criterion of Autism. Colloquially, that intense focus on a particular hobby or topic is called a special interest. 

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The feeling of having a special interest is most accurately described as an intense desire to learn everything about a dedicated topic and to spend a significant portion of free time engaging with that topic––either by doing something, learning something or thinking about it. Special interests often take up a significant portion of an autistic person’s time and attention and can sometimes be described as “all-consuming.” 

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How do autistic special interests differ from hobbies?

Special interests related to autism spectrum disorder are often much more intense than typical hobbies or passions. While someone may be able to stop engaging in a hobby without having a negative reaction, autistic individuals may feel distress or dysregulation when forced to stop engaging with a special interest. 

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Additionally, autistic people will typically dedicate much more of their free time to a special interest than someone may commit to a hobby.

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Further, hobbies and special interests serve different purposes. It’s common for people to use hobbies as a way to socialize, like joining a painting class in an attempt to meet new people. However, autistic people tend to use socializing as a way to deepen their engagement with their special interests, like joining a discussion forum dedicated to their favorite television show. Yes, they’re talking to others, but the socialization itself isn’t the point. It’s talking about the show that’s the point. Special interests have other purposes that distinguish them from hobbies, too. One purpose of special interests is to become an expert. Most hobby-havers don’t feel the need to know everything there is to know about their hobby. A casual golfer is probably happy to simply play a round of golf on the weekends. Someone with a special interest in golf, however, will want to learn about the history of golf, the most famous golfers, the most significant golf courses, etc. 

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Also, special interests tend to be more intense than hobbies because they’re so closely tied to identity. It’s not uncommon for autistic individuals to find deep meaning and emotional fulfillment in their special interests. They can help people make sense of themselves and their surroundings by providing outlets for self-expression and, at times, a lens through which to view the world. 

Special interests manifest in many different ways. A person’s special interests can affect many facets of their lives, including their social behaviors, appearance and even their careers. 

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Autistic people tend to prefer activities that involve or center around their special interests, like playing video games or visiting museums. Autistic people with special interests may also collect items related to their interests, such as Funko Pops or stamps.

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What are some common autism special interests?

There’s a huge range of special interests that autistic people have. Some examples of special interests are:

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• Trains: An autistic individual may feel drawn to how they function or the history of the rail system
• Science fiction: This can include comic books or steampunk fashion
• Historical events: World War II and the sinking of the Titanic are popular amongst autistic history buffs
• Music: A special interest in music may focus on a specific artist or genre
• Literature: Someone may be interested in a specific book or series, or even the act of analyzing literature
• Specific television shows and movies: Doctor Who and the original Star Wars trilogy are especially popular. 

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Everyone’s different, and anything can become a special interest if it catches an autistic person’s attention.

Can special interests change over time?

Special interests can and often do change throughout a person’s life. Common special interests for an autistic child include trains, dinosaurs and animals. While some adults do still have these special interests, adults are more likely to report special interests in things like historical events, specific genres of music, reading, specific TV shows or movies. 

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The average number of special interests for an autistic individual is nine. However, it’s very unlikely that those will be the same nine interests from childhood to senior adulthood. Special interests typically evolve as a person grows up, and it’s normal for one special interest to fade out to make room for a new one.

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Not only are special interests fun, but they provide tangible benefits. The benefits of special interests extend across autistic individuals’ lives, including their mental health, social life, and more. 

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How do special interests benefit mental health?

Special interests have numerous positive impacts on the mental health of autistic individuals. Because of their importance to the autistic individual, they can be such a major source of happiness and excitement. According to a 2020 study, special interests have been linked to positive mental health outcomes.

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For example, special interests have been shown to:

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• Relieve stress
• Decrease anxiety and depression 
• Improve mood 
• Increase feelings of contentment or joy
• Help with emotional regulation
• Aid in coping with autistic burnout
• Lessen the intensity of co-occurring mental health conditions 
• Serve as a tool for increasing focus during tedious tasks 
• Boost self-confidence 

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What role do special interests play in self-identity and self-esteem?

Autistics often find a sense of identity in their special interests, feeling defined and enriched by them. Special interests typically feel like an integral part of an autistic person’s identity.

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Many autistic individuals will also dedicate a large chunk of time to researching their special interests, leading to a wealth of specialized knowledge. Special interests also serve as a catalyst for finding community. Bonding with others about something central to one’s identity leads to fulfilling and lasting social connections. Both meaningful relationships and expertise in a field can lead to increased self-esteem.

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How can special interests aid in social and educational settings?

Special interests can serve as powerful motivators and can present rich educational opportunities. In a classroom setting, special interests can be incorporated into lessons that autistic students may otherwise find tedious. For example, a lesson about different types of government could be edited to include examples from different fantasy worlds alongside real-world examples. Why not craft a history lesson that includes parallels between fascist governmental heads and the Empire from Star Wars?

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Can special interests lead to career opportunities?

Special interests can absolutely lead to careers. Temple Grandin managed to turn her special interest in livestock into a career. She is now a leading expert on livestock handling design and animal welfare and is a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She has also written successful books about animal behavior and autism. 

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Greta Thunberg is autistic and, at just twenty-one years old, is already working in climate activism on a global scale. She has published several books about climate change and founded the international movement Fridays for Future, which encourages young people to get involved in climate change activism. In an interview with the New Yorker, she explained that her career is a result of her nearly life-long special interest in climate change.

In the past, parents and caretakers were told to discourage special interests and instead encourage more socially acceptable and easily managed passions. Today, there is increasing research proving how beneficial special interests can be to autistic people, and caretakers are urged to support and encourage special interests. This can be done in any number of ways. 

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In classrooms, special interests can be integrated into lessons by including favorite characters in word problems or lecture examples. Teachers can encourage students to incorporate their favorite characters or topics into essays or presentations. Special interests can also be used to encourage participation by using them to reinforce desired behaviors. For example, if a teacher has an autistic student with a special interest in Disney characters, the teacher can offer a Mickey Mouse-themed pencil when their student excels on a test or pays attention during a lesson.

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At home, parents have endless opportunities to support their children’s interests, but it’s paramount that autistic children and teenagers be encouraged to simply indulge in their interests. For example, a small child may have a special interest in a specific Disney character, and parents can allow them to dress as that character while they complete household tasks. If a teenager takes an interest in a specific piece of media, parents can plan to watch it with their children. Even something as simple as allowing a child to decorate their room with pieces related to their special interest is beneficial.

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Are there guidelines for when to intervene or limit engagement with special interests?

Special interests can certainly be all-consuming. While that’s not inherently a bad thing, there are times when their all-consuming nature can be problematic. If someone struggles to complete daily tasks, then it may be necessary to guide their focus away from special interests and toward the tasks at hand. 

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Instead of completely discouraging the special interest, however, a caretaker or educator could offer the special interest as a reward. For example, in my personal life, I’ll set myself a goal for the day, and when I’ve accomplished it, I’ll reward myself with an episode of Supernatural, one of my special interests. 

Because of their intensity, special interests can cause challenges for autistic individuals. Narrow and specific interests can lead to social isolation if the autistic individual doesn’t have someone who they can share their interests with. They can also be misunderstood by peers or find themselves prone to obsessive behavior.

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How can therapists address these challenges?

Neurodiversity-affirming therapists are well-versed in special interests and can help address the unique challenges they present. They can help clients find a balance between engaging with their special interests and participating in the world around them. They can also teach their client social skills that may help bridge the gap between autistic people and their neurotypical peers. Additionally, therapists can help encourage the exploration of new interests. New interests can expand an autistic person’s world, offering them more opportunities to connect with others. 

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Are there strategies to help autistic individuals expand their interests?

When encouraging an autistic individual to broaden their interests, the approach should be very gentle and affirming. We know that special interests are beneficial to those on the autism spectrum, so caretakers should be careful to avoid discouraging special interests. Instead, they should have a conversation about why their autistic loved one is so enthralled with their special interest and then find commonalities that relate to other interests to explore.

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For example, one of my earliest special interests was Taylor Swift’s discography. Upon talking about the things I loved about her music, I discovered that I Iove analyzing words and metaphors and finding meaning in them. So, my special interest expanded to include poetry and other forms of literature. I wasn’t discouraged from loving Taylor Swift––I was just encouraged to broaden my horizons and embrace other interests that appealed to the piece of me that wanted to just sit on the floor and analyze Taylor Swift’s lyric booklets.

Autism advocacy that ignores special interests is not autism advocacy at all. Researchers agree that special interests are an integral part of the autistic experience and one of the biggest sources of joy for autistic people. Special interests should be closely interwoven into advocacy efforts by platforming autistic public figures with special interests and encouraging autistic people to embrace their special interests. 

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Practically, tying fundraising to special interests or hosting events meant to cater to common special interests can allow for increased funds or visibility.

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How do special interests contribute to autism awareness?

Sometimes, an autistic individual can build a platform based on their special interests. Temple Grandin is perhaps the best example of merging special interests and autism awareness. With an impressive career as a leading livestock expert, she has also become an outspoken autism advocate. Her platform as a respected figure in her field lent her credibility and visibility to lead conversations surrounding autism.

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However, other public figures have used their platform to speak candidly about the autistic experience. Dan Aykroyd is a comedian and actor who is well known for his role in Ghostbusters. Aykroyd has spoken about how his fascination with both law enforcement and the paranormal led to him writing and starring in Ghostbusters. He has since used his platform to raise awareness for autism, and he also speaks candidly about how his special interests have enriched his life. 

If you’re autistic and looking to leverage your special interests as strengths, Prosper Health can help.

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Our neurodiversity-affirming clinicians take a strength-based approach to therapy and can help you identify ways to use your special interests to your advantage, whether you’re looking to expand your social circle or pursue a career related to your special interest. Plus, they can help address any mental health struggles you’re dealing with.
 

80% of our clinicians are neurodivergent themselves or have a close relationship with someone who’s autistic or neurodivergent, so you can be sure you’ll be in good hands.