Special Interests and Supporting your Child’s Interest

“Special interests, ‘eye sparkles,’ can drastically change a person’s life in so many ways. They are so much more than odd little quirks and seemingly unnecessary fixations” -Chloe Hayden (Different, Not Less, 2022). 

What are special interests?

Special interests (sometimes nicknamed SPINs) are part of Autism and other Neurodivergencies. Special interests are defined by intense focus or passion for a particular topic. People may want to spend much or all of their time thinking about and learning about their interests. SPINs can last a few weeks, a year, or a lifetime!

There is a wide range of special interests. Some may seem more typical, such as sports or crafts, while others are more niche, like mechanics or weather. They can also range from broad topics like animals or nature to highly specific things like exit signs. Some studies show that autistic girls are more likely to have similar interests to their neurotypical counterparts (Supekar & Menon, 2015), but the difference is the level of intensity and depth. And remember, having special interests is not unique to autistic people. In fact, hyper fixation in ADHD is a form of special interest! 

Why are special interests (SPINs) important?

Research on special interests has found that there are many benefits to engaging in SPINs. In a 2017 survey, 92% of Autistic adults said they found their SPINs to be calming (Koening & Williams, 2017). Spending time engaging in special interests can help individuals feel calm, leading to reduced anxiety. Another study found that autistic individuals are highly motivated to engage in their special interests, which is more likely to provide intrinsic motivation and positive emotions (Grove et al. 2015). Intrinsic motivation is the good feeling of accomplishment that comes from within, which can be more impactful than extrinsic motivation, which is motivation to receive a reward like candy. 

One study also found that when autistic children talked about their SPINs, they fidgeted less, made more eye contact, and had more complex, vocabulary-rich statements (Winter-Messiers et al. 2007). Naturally, when talking about things of interest, people are more engaged and focused on the conversation. Lastly, SPINs have been shown to increase overall well-being! A study found that well-being and satisfaction across all aspects of life increased when autistic adults had a chance to engage with their special interests (Grove et al., 2018). With all of these benefits, it is clear that providing time and space to engage in special interests is an important part of life for many!

How can parents support special interests?

“I strongly recommend that students with autism get involved in special interest clubs in some of the areas they naturally excel at. Being with people who share your interests makes socializing easier.” Temple Grandin

• Engage with them – Learn what your child likes about their interest. Watch shows, tutorials, and related activities with them. This can increase your relationship with your child and makes them feel special and listened to. If your child loves a certain show, watch it with them, draw the characters, and find the backstory. If they love a sport or hobby, ask them how you can join in. 
• Enroll them – As Temple Grandin pointed out, finding groups of peers that share similar interests can help neurodivergent children create time to engage with and talk about their interests. This can have a hugely positive effect on their social skills. 
• Enrich them – Help autistic children make a career out of their interest. Many autistic adults have made their special interests a career, and many have reached the top of their field (see our Impactful People blog to learn more). Take them on field trips to related places. Encourage them to reach out to employers and companies to shadow or for an informational interview! 
• Encourage them – Give your child free time and remind them that engaging in their interests can be a great time for them to regulate their body and mind. Encourage them to plan time to engage in interests into their day. This may even be a time for you to engage in your own interests too.

Conclusion

Special Interests are important and powerful. They can be calming and help you to connect with autistic people in your life.  Special Interests should be protected and cultivated to help autistic people grow. If you are a parent or caregiver of an autistic child, help them grow their interests and learn more about them. If you are a partner of an autistic adult, allow them to talk about their interests and engage with their interests with them. And autistic people, engage with special interests, and find people who will listen and encourage you!

References

Grandin, T., (n.d.) https://www.templegrandin.com

Grove, R., Hoekstra, R.A., Wierda, M. and Begeer, S. (2018), Special interests and subjective wellbeing in autistic adults. Autism Research, 11: 766-775. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1931

Grove, R., Roth, I, Hoekstra, R.A. (2015), The motivation for special interests in individuals with autism and controls: Development and validation of the special interest motivation scale. Autism Research, 9: 677-688. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1560

Hayden, C. (2022) Different Not Less, Murdoch Books.1922616184

Laber-Warren, E.,(2021) The benefits of special interests in autism.SpectrumNews 2022 SIMONS FOUNDATION Webby Honoree for Best Writing (Editorial) & Science Website

Nowell, K.P., Bernardin, C.J., Brown, C. et al. Characterization of Special Interests in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Brief Review and Pilot Study Using the Special Interests Survey. J Autism Dev Disord 51, 2711–2724 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04743-6

Patten Koenig, K., Hough Williams, L., (2017) Characterization and Utilization of Preferred Interests: A Survey of Adults on the Autism Spectrum. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health 129 EP  – 140 Volume: 33  doi: 10.1080/0164212X.2016.1248877

Sullivan, D., (N.D.) Autistic Special Interest: Secret Strength? (Special Interests in ASD)Copyright 2022 Neurodiverging. All Rights Reserved. CoachPress Lite 

Supekar, K., Menon, V. (2015) Sex differences in structural organization of motor systems and their dissociable links with repetitive/restricted behaviors in children with autism.Molecular Autism 6, 50 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-015-0042-z

Tansley R., Parsons S., & Kovshoff H.,(2022) How are intense interests used within schools to support inclusion and learning for secondary-aged autistic pupils? A scoping review, European Journal of Special Needs Education, 37:3, 477-493, DOI: 10.1080/08856257.2021.1911520