The Power of Special Interests in Autism:

Special interests are one of the most unique and meaningful parts of autism. While often misunderstood by the broader public, they bring joy, stability, and identity to autistic individuals. For many late diagnosed autistic adults, recognizing their special interests as a strength rather than a flaw is a life changing moment. At The Atypical View, we believe these passions are not something to fix but something to celebrate.

Hi, thanks for listening to The Atypical View. I am Lauren Florio, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in California #154915 and Neurodivergent Coach worldwide.

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While I am a therapist, this content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, clinical diagnosis, medical advice, or individualized coaching.

The ARC:

https://thearc.org/

Haunters Against Hate:

https://www.hauntersagainsthate.com/

Don't Be A Monster:

https://www.dontbeamonster.org/

Research:

Arunachalam, S., Steele, A., Pelletier, T., & Luyster, R. J. (2024). Do focused interests support word learning? A study with autistic and nonautistic children. Autism Research, 17(5), 955-971. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.3121

Bross, L. A., Huffman, J. M., & Hagiwara, M. (2022). Examining the special interest areas of autistic adults with a focus on their employment and mental health outcomes. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 57, 289-305. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-221218

Grove, R., Hoekstra, R. A., Wierda, M., & Begeer, S. (2018). Special interests and subjective wellbeing in autistic adults. Autism Research, 11(5), 766-775. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1931

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