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Why do you have special interests?
What do computers, music, and nature have in common? They are some of the top special interests for autistic people! In today's episode, we look at the research behind special interests to separate the truth from the stereotypes. We also look at some of the possible reasons why so many autistic people have special interests. Join us for this very special episode where we get to talk about our favorite things!
Chapters
00:00 Welcome & why special interests matter
02:54 Myth-busting: hyperfocus vs. special interests
03:24 The research problem (ask adults, not just caregivers)
05:16 Strengths, coping, and pride
07:04 When treatment targets the wrong thing
08:48 Special interest study
11:20 “Current” interests vs. lifelong ones
11:46 Disney special interests
18:16 Burnout and the 80% finish line
20:21 INCUP attention model (ADHD)
22:32 Work friction & making novelty
23:10 Top special interests by gender
27:08 What makes an interest “special”
32:56 When intensity hurts well-being
34:21 Monotropism 101
40:36 Hyperfocus & mental health
44:06 Systemizing vs. empathy—why that binary fails
50:01 Temple Grandin’s thinking styles
54:32 Special interest stigma
59:15 Our special interests
1:01:52 Conclusion
References: Grove et al., 2018; SAGE 2024 hyperfocus study; Autism Understood (Monotropism); Temple Grandin on thinking styles.
Special Interests Study (Grove et al., 2018)
👉 https://research.vu.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/72579810/Grove_et_al_2018_Autism_Research.pdf
Monotropism Overview (Autism Understood)
👉 https://autismunderstood.co.uk/autistic-differences/monotropism/
Hyperfocus Study (SAGE Journals, 2024)
👉 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/27546330241237883
Systemizing Quotient – Revised (Embrace Autism)
👉 https://embrace-autism.com/systemizing-quotient-revised/
Thinking Styles in Autistic People – Temple Grandin Framework (Embrace Autism)
👉 https://embrace-autism.com/thinking-styles-in-autistic-people
Keywords: autism, ADHD, AuDHD, special interests, hyperfocus, monotropism, Temple Grandin, systemizing quotient, Simon Baron-Cohen, Disney Imagineering, Pixar, pattern thinking, executive function, INCUP, attention regulation
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By John Blanco-Slingerland, Tarah PeltzWhat do computers, music, and nature have in common? They are some of the top special interests for autistic people! In today's episode, we look at the research behind special interests to separate the truth from the stereotypes. We also look at some of the possible reasons why so many autistic people have special interests. Join us for this very special episode where we get to talk about our favorite things!
Chapters
00:00 Welcome & why special interests matter
02:54 Myth-busting: hyperfocus vs. special interests
03:24 The research problem (ask adults, not just caregivers)
05:16 Strengths, coping, and pride
07:04 When treatment targets the wrong thing
08:48 Special interest study
11:20 “Current” interests vs. lifelong ones
11:46 Disney special interests
18:16 Burnout and the 80% finish line
20:21 INCUP attention model (ADHD)
22:32 Work friction & making novelty
23:10 Top special interests by gender
27:08 What makes an interest “special”
32:56 When intensity hurts well-being
34:21 Monotropism 101
40:36 Hyperfocus & mental health
44:06 Systemizing vs. empathy—why that binary fails
50:01 Temple Grandin’s thinking styles
54:32 Special interest stigma
59:15 Our special interests
1:01:52 Conclusion
References: Grove et al., 2018; SAGE 2024 hyperfocus study; Autism Understood (Monotropism); Temple Grandin on thinking styles.
Special Interests Study (Grove et al., 2018)
👉 https://research.vu.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/72579810/Grove_et_al_2018_Autism_Research.pdf
Monotropism Overview (Autism Understood)
👉 https://autismunderstood.co.uk/autistic-differences/monotropism/
Hyperfocus Study (SAGE Journals, 2024)
👉 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/27546330241237883
Systemizing Quotient – Revised (Embrace Autism)
👉 https://embrace-autism.com/systemizing-quotient-revised/
Thinking Styles in Autistic People – Temple Grandin Framework (Embrace Autism)
👉 https://embrace-autism.com/thinking-styles-in-autistic-people
Keywords: autism, ADHD, AuDHD, special interests, hyperfocus, monotropism, Temple Grandin, systemizing quotient, Simon Baron-Cohen, Disney Imagineering, Pixar, pattern thinking, executive function, INCUP, attention regulation