Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder often very special areas of interests – also known as fixations. These can include animals, forms of transportation (trains, cars, planes etc…), numbers and colours just to name a few.

Reasons for special interests:

Special interests can be more than just a fixation. It can often be:

· Source of relaxation

· Associated with intense pleasure and passion

· Thought blocker for anxiety

Developmental stages of a special interest:

Just like individuals, an area of interest/special interest can have a used by date. Meaning, that a child’s special interests can change. They can last for hours up to decades. With a used by date, comes stages of interest called developmental stages of special interest.

Stage 1: Collecting items

This is the beginning of the special interest, where children will seek, find and collect the items. This can sometimes be in the form of taking something that does not belong to them and upsetting another child.

Stage 2: Cataloguing and information

The accumulation and cataloguing of objects or the accumulation of facts and information about a specific topic. This stage is when the lining up, organising, sorting, or categorising of the toys/special interest occurs. The organisation system could be in relation to colour, size, or type. This is often a solitary activity.

Special interests are an important part of their world and can also be used as a source of engagement and quality time with their loved ones and therapists.

Written by Speech Pathologist, Allie Godbold.