Special interests of students with autism

[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.

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?

OMG. Drop the victim mentality. The reason some PPs object to the "special" is because it's a big condescending. It's not totally clear that the subject matter is always unique. What is unique is the overall intensity of the interest, but you also see that in NT kids too. And it's often a strength of kids on the spectrum. Is Elon Musk's "special interest" space? Just call it "interest."

[Anonymous]

No wonder teachers are leaving the profession in droves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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?

OMG. Drop the victim mentality. The reason some PPs object to the "special" is because it's a big condescending. It's not totally clear that the subject matter is always unique. What is unique is the overall intensity of the interest, but you also see that in NT kids too. And it's often a strength of kids on the spectrum. Is Elon Musk's "special interest" space? Just call it "interest."

Exactly. It's ableist, othering, and condescending to refer to these interests as special. Just call them interests.

[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.

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?

NP. Please ignore those posters OP. Most parents aren't hateful. There are a few of them on this board who are bitter and angry. I know they have hard lives but I wish they wouldn't take it out on others. It's not you OP. It's them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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?

NP. Please ignore those posters OP. Most parents aren't hateful. There are a few of them on this board who are bitter and angry. I know they have hard lives but I wish they wouldn't take it out on others. It's not you OP. It's them.

Is it hateful to point out things we think are uneccesarily stigmatizing? Or is it hateful to attack parents for engaging in such advocacy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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?

NP. Please ignore those posters OP. Most parents aren't hateful. There are a few of them on this board who are bitter and angry. I know they have hard lives but I wish they wouldn't take it out on others. It's not you OP. It's them.

Is it hateful to point out things we think are uneccesarily stigmatizing? Or is it hateful to attack parents for engaging in such advocacy?

Give it a rest. Plenty of special needs parents on here answered the question and aren’t offended. Me included. You are just playing with semantics. I keep referring you back to the diagnostic criteria and how they address interests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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?

NP. Please ignore those posters OP. Most parents aren't hateful. There are a few of them on this board who are bitter and angry. I know they have hard lives but I wish they wouldn't take it out on others. It's not you OP. It's them.

Is it hateful to point out things we think are uneccesarily stigmatizing? Or is it hateful to attack parents for engaging in such advocacy?

Give it a rest. Plenty of special needs parents on here answered the question and aren’t offended. Me included. You are just playing with semantics. I keep referring you back to the diagnostic criteria and how they address interests.

The only way progress is made is when folks relentlessly advocate for more appropriate language. Otherwise schools would still be referring to our SN kids as morons. Would you be ok with that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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?

NP. Please ignore those posters OP. Most parents aren't hateful. There are a few of them on this board who are bitter and angry. I know they have hard lives but I wish they wouldn't take it out on others. It's not you OP. It's them.

Is it hateful to point out things we think are uneccesarily stigmatizing? Or is it hateful to attack parents for engaging in such advocacy?

Give it a rest. Plenty of special needs parents on here answered the question and aren’t offended. Me included. You are just playing with semantics. I keep referring you back to the diagnostic criteria and how they address interests.

our kids don't need to be continually pathologized, though. and it's ok for parents to disagree with each other, and with teachers. it's not "hateful."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi,
I am a special educator and am making up an interest inventory for my students, many of whom have autism (generally level 1 but some level 2). I want to include a wide variety of possible interests for a checklist. This will help me know about the interests of students who don't answer questions about themselves in typical ways. It also gives them the chance to tell something about themselves, rather than me just looking to parents for this information. It will help us have things to talk and write about and give me ideas for classroom materials. Can you give me some suggestions, please? As specific as possible, please. For example, "Star Wars" rather than "Movies". I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!!

This whole post makes me sad that you are somehow a "special educator" and you need to crowd source this. Does your job not require any education or experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi,
I am a special educator and am making up an interest inventory for my students, many of whom have autism (generally level 1 but some level 2). I want to include a wide variety of possible interests for a checklist. This will help me know about the interests of students who don't answer questions about themselves in typical ways. It also gives them the chance to tell something about themselves, rather than me just looking to parents for this information. It will help us have things to talk and write about and give me ideas for classroom materials. Can you give me some suggestions, please? As specific as possible, please. For example, "Star Wars" rather than "Movies". I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!!

This whole post makes me sad that you are somehow a "special educator" and you need to crowd source this. Does your job not require any education or experience?

I don't have a problem with her crowdsourcing this from parents, although she could have just emailed the parents in her class. I do have a problem with acting so dramatically at any hint of criticism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi,
I am a special educator and am making up an interest inventory for my students, many of whom have autism (generally level 1 but some level 2). I want to include a wide variety of possible interests for a checklist. This will help me know about the interests of students who don't answer questions about themselves in typical ways. It also gives them the chance to tell something about themselves, rather than me just looking to parents for this information. It will help us have things to talk and write about and give me ideas for classroom materials. Can you give me some suggestions, please? As specific as possible, please. For example, "Star Wars" rather than "Movies". I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!!

This whole post makes me sad that you are somehow a "special educator" and you need to crowd source this. Does your job not require any education or experience?

I don't have a problem with her crowdsourcing this from parents, although she could have just emailed the parents in her class. I do have a problem with acting so dramatically at any hint of criticism.

A "special educator" asking internet strangers for a list of "special interests" for autistic children is kind like a kindergarten teacher asking about what 5 and 6 year olds are into. Like...don't you all have to take some sort of child development class? Also, kids are into the full spectrum of things, autistic or not.