All about Special Interests and Obsession in Autism.
One of the things that bug me the most about seeing neurodiverse characters in books is the storyline is often about struggle and disability. Growing up, as many of you already know, I did not see myself in the pages of book. Identifying with my favorite characters was near impossible, …
An except from Twirling Naked in the Streets and No-One Noticed… “I don’t have any narrowly focused special interests, no all-consuming obsessions-not during childhood.” I protested my diagnosis, but only for a moment. I knew all the players; I knew their numbers. I knew the line-up; I knew all the …
One characteristic or autistic trait that is commonly seen in individuals with autism spectrum disorders, or Asperger’s Syndrome is a preoccupation with areas of “special interests.” So common is this trait of autism that it is listed as one of the diagnostic criteria of the disorder. Special Interests as a …
Aspie Teen is always on YouTube watching “pranks,” and cackling like maniac. I cannot even tell you how many times I’ve sat through the same drive-through pranks with him laughing hysterically at the SAME ONES, over and over! So this morning he comes downstairs, and the first thing he says, …
Me and My Brilliant Ideas We’ve established that lack of sleep makes me do stupid things. It super-charges my brain, gives me loads of ideas, but I fail to think them through before plunging right in During my week long insomnia-fest I tried to redesign my blog. This is something …
THIS is how special interests can take over our lives, and over shadowing everything else we need to do! I have been extraordinarily quiet lately because HGTV is ruining my life. I watch it obsessively because I love love love houses, real estate, and space transformations—so much so that I …
An except from Twirling Naked in the Streets and No-One Noticed… According to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), having an “encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus” is a core symptom of AS. I’ve had many special …
Asperger’s Syndrome and Special Interests Special Interests, For When My Well Runs Dry. I can focus for hours and hours on end on reading, writing, or playing poker. The rest of the world disappears; I can forget it exists. It calms me, and the stress melts away. When I’m focused …
