Special interests of students with autism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a child with ASD who does not have special interests?

mine. he has always stored up a lot more detail than other kids but never a really all-encompassing interest.

Special interests is part of the diagnostic criteria so very, very common in autistic kids.

no it’s not

YES it is.
You need two or more of the following:

Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive; see text):
Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g., simple motor stereotypes, lining up toys or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases).
Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior (e.g., extreme distress at small changes, difficulties with transitions, rigid thinking patterns, greeting rituals, need to take same route or eat same food every day).
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).

Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g. apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement).

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 12 yr old boy with ASD Level 1 talks my ear off about:

Roblox
YouTube
Fortnite
Magic the Gathering
Space—black holes are the current topic
Euclidean Geometry—no idea where this comes from
Dogs
Parkour
Quantum Physics vs Mechanics
Robotics-FLL and FTC


I spend a lot of time saying I don’t know.

Can our kids be friends? Mine talks about Euclidean geometry too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a child with ASD who does not have special interests?

mine. he has always stored up a lot more detail than other kids but never a really all-encompassing interest.

Special interests is part of the diagnostic criteria so very, very common in autistic kids.

no it’s not

YES it is.
You need two or more of the following:

Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive; see text):
Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g., simple motor stereotypes, lining up toys or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases).
Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior (e.g., extreme distress at small changes, difficulties with transitions, rigid thinking patterns, greeting rituals, need to take same route or eat same food every day).
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).

Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g. apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement).

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html

restricted interests is only one of several criteria for the diagnosis. the child does not have to have them. The diagnosis requires “restricted, repetitive behaviors” which my DS mainly shows through need for routines, inflexibility, and stims. He does tend to accumulate more detail about everything compared to his peers, but really not in a way that amounts to a “special interest.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a child with ASD who does not have special interests?

mine. he has always stored up a lot more detail than other kids but never a really all-encompassing interest.

Special interests is part of the diagnostic criteria so very, very common in autistic kids.

no it’s not

YES it is.
You need two or more of the following:

Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive; see text):
Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g., simple motor stereotypes, lining up toys or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases).
Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior (e.g., extreme distress at small changes, difficulties with transitions, rigid thinking patterns, greeting rituals, need to take same route or eat same food every day).
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).

Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g. apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement).

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html

restricted interests is only one of several criteria for the diagnosis. the child does not have to have them. The diagnosis requires “restricted, repetitive behaviors” which my DS mainly shows through need for routines, inflexibility, and stims. He does tend to accumulate more detail about everything compared to his peers, but really not in a way that amounts to a “special interest.”

No one said you HAD to have them. It said “ it’s part of the diagnostic criteria” which multiple posters have pointed this out - backed up by the CDC. Why are you derailing the thread with your nonsense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 12 yr old boy with ASD Level 1 talks my ear off about:

Roblox
YouTube
Fortnite
Magic the Gathering
Space—black holes are the current topic
Euclidean Geometry—no idea where this comes from
Dogs
Parkour
Quantum Physics vs Mechanics
Robotics-FLL and FTC


I spend a lot of time saying I don’t know.

I spend a lot of time saying I don’t know — so true! (Brought a smile to my face reading this ) Mine is now 19 and this continues!

Minecraft & Parkour in the MS years for sure.
Space/ sky/ planets etc.
Various math functions

[Anonymous]

Hockey teams. Players. Logos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a child with ASD who does not have special interests?

mine. he has always stored up a lot more detail than other kids but never a really all-encompassing interest.

Special interests is part of the diagnostic criteria so very, very common in autistic kids.

no it’s not

YES it is.
You need two or more of the following:

Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive; see text):
Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g., simple motor stereotypes, lining up toys or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases).
Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior (e.g., extreme distress at small changes, difficulties with transitions, rigid thinking patterns, greeting rituals, need to take same route or eat same food every day).
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).

Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g. apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement).

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html

restricted interests is only one of several criteria for the diagnosis. the child does not have to have them. The diagnosis requires “restricted, repetitive behaviors” which my DS mainly shows through need for routines, inflexibility, and stims. He does tend to accumulate more detail about everything compared to his peers, but really not in a way that amounts to a “special interest.”

No one said you HAD to have them. It said “ it’s part of the diagnostic criteria” which multiple posters have pointed this out - backed up by the CDC. Why are you derailing the thread with your nonsense?

calm down. the point is it’s not required, and it’s a stereotype to think that all autistic kids have them (as the OP apparently believes). Also they are just interests, not “special” interests.

[Anonymous]

I envy the parents of the language-creating, map-drawing kids! Our ASD 12yo's special interest seems to be watching as many YouTuber speed runs as we'll allow.

[Anonymous]

OP here
Thanks for all the responses. I rolled out a Beta version of this interest survey on Friday afternoon. I made category sections starting each with “___in general”, then listing as many specific possibilities as I could think of (with the help of your suggestions), and ending each category with “A different specific _____?” The student I did the survey with got incredibly engaged in the process. He was able to choose his top 3 interests and then we rehearsed going to the library and asking for books on the topic. He went to the library and got a book with very minimal cuing. He was really pleased with his book and wanted to read it right away, which is never the case with this student. BTW, I worked with this student all last years and have spoken with parents and the topic for the book he chose is not one I would have guessed. So, I feel like it was a great start with this tool. Thanks to everyone for their help. And, yes, I know I can just ask parents about their kids’ interests, but that is not what I want for my middle schoolers—to only be able to communicate through their parents. I want to find ways for them to express themselves. Again, thanks to everyone who took the time to help! I’ll keep adding your suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here
Thanks for all the responses. I rolled out a Beta version of this interest survey on Friday afternoon. I made category sections starting each with “___in general”, then listing as many specific possibilities as I could think of (with the help of your suggestions), and ending each category with “A different specific _____?” The student I did the survey with got incredibly engaged in the process. He was able to choose his top 3 interests and then we rehearsed going to the library and asking for books on the topic. He went to the library and got a book with very minimal cuing. He was really pleased with his book and wanted to read it right away, which is never the case with this student. BTW, I worked with this student all last years and have spoken with parents and the topic for the book he chose is not one I would have guessed. So, I feel like it was a great start with this tool. Thanks to everyone for their help. And, yes, I know I can just ask parents about their kids’ interests, but that is not what I want for my middle schoolers—to only be able to communicate through their parents. I want to find ways for them to express themselves. Again, thanks to everyone who took the time to help! I’ll keep adding your suggestions.

OP, you're a gem! This brought a tear to my eye. I wish there were a million like you!
Thank you ❤️
-autism mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a child with ASD who does not have special interests?

mine. he has always stored up a lot more detail than other kids but never a really all-encompassing interest.

Special interests is part of the diagnostic criteria so very, very common in autistic kids.

no it’s not

Hope you’re not a diagnostician.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a child with ASD who does not have special interests?

mine. he has always stored up a lot more detail than other kids but never a really all-encompassing interest.

Special interests is part of the diagnostic criteria so very, very common in autistic kids.

no it’s not

YES it is.
You need two or more of the following:

Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive; see text):
Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g., simple motor stereotypes, lining up toys or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases).
Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior (e.g., extreme distress at small changes, difficulties with transitions, rigid thinking patterns, greeting rituals, need to take same route or eat same food every day).
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).

Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g. apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement).

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html

restricted interests is only one of several criteria for the diagnosis. the child does not have to have them. The diagnosis requires “restricted, repetitive behaviors” which my DS mainly shows through need for routines, inflexibility, and stims. He does tend to accumulate more detail about everything compared to his peers, but really not in a way that amounts to a “special interest.”

No one said you HAD to have them. It said “ it’s part of the diagnostic criteria” which multiple posters have pointed this out - backed up by the CDC. Why are you derailing the thread with your nonsense?

calm down. the point is it’s not required, and it’s a stereotype to think that all autistic kids have them (as the OP apparently believes). Also they are just interests, not “special” interests.

special
spĕsh′əl
adjective
Surpassing what is common or usual

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here
Thanks for all the responses. I rolled out a Beta version of this interest survey on Friday afternoon. I made category sections starting each with “___in general”, then listing as many specific possibilities as I could think of (with the help of your suggestions), and ending each category with “A different specific _____?” The student I did the survey with got incredibly engaged in the process. He was able to choose his top 3 interests and then we rehearsed going to the library and asking for books on the topic. He went to the library and got a book with very minimal cuing. He was really pleased with his book and wanted to read it right away, which is never the case with this student. BTW, I worked with this student all last years and have spoken with parents and the topic for the book he chose is not one I would have guessed. So, I feel like it was a great start with this tool. Thanks to everyone for their help. And, yes, I know I can just ask parents about their kids’ interests, but that is not what I want for my middle schoolers—to only be able to communicate through their parents. I want to find ways for them to express themselves. Again, thanks to everyone who took the time to help! I’ll keep adding your suggestions.

Thank you for updating. It was nice to hear how well your survey worked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a child with ASD who does not have special interests?

mine. he has always stored up a lot more detail than other kids but never a really all-encompassing interest.

Special interests is part of the diagnostic criteria so very, very common in autistic kids.

no it’s not

YES it is.
You need two or more of the following:

Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive; see text):
Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g., simple motor stereotypes, lining up toys or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases).
Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior (e.g., extreme distress at small changes, difficulties with transitions, rigid thinking patterns, greeting rituals, need to take same route or eat same food every day).
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).

Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g. apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement).

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html

restricted interests is only one of several criteria for the diagnosis. the child does not have to have them. The diagnosis requires “restricted, repetitive behaviors” which my DS mainly shows through need for routines, inflexibility, and stims. He does tend to accumulate more detail about everything compared to his peers, but really not in a way that amounts to a “special interest.”

No one said you HAD to have them. It said “ it’s part of the diagnostic criteria” which multiple posters have pointed this out - backed up by the CDC. Why are you derailing the thread with your nonsense?

calm down. the point is it’s not required, and it’s a stereotype to think that all autistic kids have them (as the OP apparently believes). Also they are just interests, not “special” interests.

special
spĕsh′əl
adjective
Surpassing what is common or usual

I'm really not seeing how any of the interests listed in earlier posts are particularly "special" - dogs, parkour, physics, Minecraft, etc. Seem just like interests to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a child with ASD who does not have special interests?

mine. he has always stored up a lot more detail than other kids but never a really all-encompassing interest.

Special interests is part of the diagnostic criteria so very, very common in autistic kids.

no it’s not

YES it is.
You need two or more of the following:

Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive; see text):
Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g., simple motor stereotypes, lining up toys or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases).
Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior (e.g., extreme distress at small changes, difficulties with transitions, rigid thinking patterns, greeting rituals, need to take same route or eat same food every day).
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).

Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g. apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement).

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html

restricted interests is only one of several criteria for the diagnosis. the child does not have to have them. The diagnosis requires “restricted, repetitive behaviors” which my DS mainly shows through need for routines, inflexibility, and stims. He does tend to accumulate more detail about everything compared to his peers, but really not in a way that amounts to a “special interest.”

No one said you HAD to have them. It said “ it’s part of the diagnostic criteria” which multiple posters have pointed this out - backed up by the CDC. Why are you derailing the thread with your nonsense?

calm down. the point is it’s not required, and it’s a stereotype to think that all autistic kids have them (as the OP apparently believes). Also they are just interests, not “special” interests.

These interests are often considered special due to their intensity, and I never said ALL kids with autism HAD to have them. I’m the OP. Why feel the need to slam me? Why are parents in this area so hateful?