Autistic Joy: Celebrating Special Interests
- Kaitlyn Boudreault
- Sep 19
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 9
Are you an autistic individual who gets deeply absorbed in certain subjects? During these times, do you notice that your energy, focus, and creativity seem to shine through?
These passions are often referred to as special interests. They are usually not just hobbies. They are core ways for autistic people to express themselves, their joys, and their identity.
When autistic joy is nurtured, special interests can enhance learning, regulate emotions, strengthen social connections, and even guide career paths.
Even though these special interests give autistic people joy, they are often framed by society in a negative light, as “obsessions” or “fixations” that need to be fixed or reduced.
These negative views on special interests have contributed to stigma, shame, and exclusion for autism in society.
These misunderstandings leave many autistic individuals feeling pressured to mask or hide who they are, including the joy their special interests bring.
It is important that we, as a society, shift the narrative on autistic joy and recognize these passions as a way forward for embracing neurodiversity in everyday life.
If you or a loved one wants guidance on embracing your special interests in a meaningful, affirming way, neurodiversity-affirming therapy or autism coaching can provide support, strategies, and tools tailored to your unique strengths and goals.
In this blog, we will delve into what autistic joy is, the science behind special interests, common misconceptions, and strategies for embracing these passions in everyday life.
What Are Special Interests?
Special interests are common among autistic individuals and consist of intense, focused passion for a specific topic that autistic people may pursue with immense joy and curiosity.
There is some research to suggest that special interests aren’t exactly distractions. They are instead neurologically rewarding and play an essential role in cognitive and emotional development (Turner, 1999; Koenig & Williams, 2018).
These special interests are also usually a bit different from casual hobbies. They usually:
Capture a significant amount of attention for a specific topic for long periods. Someone may have attention for a hobby, but it usually isn’t as intense as the attention for a special interest.
Provide deep satisfaction or pleasure. Although hobbies can also provide joy, they are usually not as intense a pleasure as those found in special interests.
Offer opportunities for mastery. Autistic people usually form such strong attention for their special interests that it sometimes results in mastery in that key area.
An example of a special interest for an autistic person may involve immersing oneself in trains, space exploration, psychology, coding, visual arts, or specific genres of literature.
There is a wide array of areas that an autistic person may form a special interest in, and no two individuals' passions are exactly alike. As autism exists on a spectrum, so do the special interests.
The Science Behind Autistic Joy
Special interests aren’t just a concept that is thrown out there out of the blue. There is science to show that they tend to activate the brain’s reward and motivation systems.
These systems tend to involve the dopamine pathways, which are neurotransmitters involved in mood and pleasure.
This would suggest that engaging in special interests can have several benefits, including the fact that they:
Promote positive emotions and feelings.
Enhance executive functioning, including focus, planning, and problem-solving.
Support learning through intrinsically motivating experiences.
Aid in stress reduction and emotional regulation.
Other studies of special interests using functional MRI have shown that when autistic individuals engage in activities they are passionate about, there are specific areas of the brain tied to motivation and reward, such as the ventral striatum and prefrontal cortex, that tend to light up (Damiano et al., 2017).
Additionally, there are other studies that show that pursuing special interests is associated with increased cognitive flexibility and creativity. This challenges some of the stereotypes that suggest that autistic individuals are rigid or narrow in their thinking (Lawson et al., 2015).
Common Misconceptions About Special Interests
There is a lack of understanding about autism in society. This is especially true for autistic women and AFAB individuals because research on autistic people has tended to focus on cis boys.
Even though we are becoming better in the understanding of autism through research and listening to autistic voices, there are still widespread myths about autistic special interests that exist. These assumptions lead to statements such as
Myth: “It’s an obsession or fixation.”
Fact: While there is an intense passion for the special interest, these interests tend to be healthy and often productive outlets for curiosity and skill development.
Myth: “They’re antisocial."
Fact: Autism exists on a spectrum. Some individuals may not engage in communication, while others may be highly social. The same is true for special interests. While some autistic people may use special interests as a way to regulate their nervous system alone, other autistic individuals may use special interests to connect socially, share knowledge, or form communities (Davidson & Henderson, 2010).
Myth: “It’s a phase.”
Fact: Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference and form of neurodivergence. It doesn’t just go away. When it comes to special interests, some interests may change over time, but many persist and evolve. There is usually a lifelong engagement and purpose for an interest.
Ultimately, we want to shift the focus from mislabelling special interests as problematic to understanding that special interests are a different way of navigating the world. This is because discouraging autistic people from exploring their passions can increase stress, anxiety, and depression.
Emotional and Social Benefits of Special Interests
While autistic special interests may be viewed as a negative thing by some people in society, they often come with a variety of benefits. They support personal and professional growth across a lifetime in the areas of relationships, career paths, and overall well-being.
Autistic individuals may experience sensory overload as a result of too much sensory input coming through the senses. Special interests can act as a coping mechanism in these situations to help regulate emotions. Some research suggests that engaging in a passion can reduce anxiety, calm sensory overload, and create a sense of emotional safety (Koenig & Williams, 2018).
When autistic individuals focus on their special interests, it may result in mastery of a specific topic. Autistic individuals often describe these passions as a core part of their identity. It provides them with stability in a world that can feel unpredictable or overwhelming (Davidson & Henderson, 2010).
Social Connection
While people in society may wrongly assume that autistic individuals avoid social engagement through special interests, these passions actually can sometimes facilitate community-building. There are online forums, clubs, and peer groups that allow shared passions to create meaningful relationships.
Motivation and Learning
Special interests promote intrinsic motivation, which is motivation that comes from within, instead of an external source (i.e., money). Autistic individuals are more likely to engage in learning, practice, and problem-solving when they align with their passions (Turner, 1999).
Lifelong Impacts of Special Interests
Special interests aren’t just something that autistic people engage in during childhood, and then they disappear in adulthood. They often continue throughout the lifespan and can shape careers and personal growth.
For example, some autistic adults turn their passions into programming, research, or creative arts careers. This highlights that honouring and encouraging interests can be personally and professionally beneficial.
Ignoring or discouraging special interests can also lead to negative outcomes, including:
Emotional dysregulation
Social isolation
Reduced self-confidence
Autistic burnout from attempting to conform to neurotypical expectations
Special Interests and Intersectionality
When we consider special interests, we also need to recognize that autistic individuals don’t exist in a vacuum. Autistic identities intersect with multiple other identities, including gender identity, sexuality, race, religion, and disability. An individual's identity may impact how special interests are received by society. For example:
If an LGBTQ+ individual challenges societal norms around gender identity or sexuality in the special interests they choose, this may cause additional layers of stigma for that special interest.
BIPOC autistic individuals may also encounter cultural misunderstandings or limited access to supportive communities.
Strategies for Supporting Autistic Joy
Embrace Interests Early
Interests can often occur from an early age. It is important to encourage exploration without judgment. This is because early exposure to diverse experiences of special interests can allow autistic individuals to discover what genuinely resonates with them.
Validate and Celebrate
If an autistic person's special interest is labelled as “weird” or “too much,” they may be discouraged from engaging in it. Instead, acknowledge the value of special interests. When an autistic individual feels like their special interests are valued, it improves self-esteem and emotional well-being.
Integrate Interests Into Daily Life
An easy way to find joy in your daily life is to engage in special interests by integrating them into your daily learning, work, and social environments. Some ways that you could integrate interests into your daily life include:
Using a special interest to make learning more engaging
Incorporating passions into career development or projects
Sharing interests with friends or communities to foster connections
Neurodiversity-affirming therapy and coaching involve embracing the unique ways in which brains differ. This includes leveraging interests within therapy to build strategies that work with the brain, not against it. Neurodiversity-affirming professionals work to support rather than suppress passions.
Encouraging Neurodiversity-Affirming Environments
Schools, workplaces, and community spaces can foster autistic joy by:
Allowing flexibility to pursue passions
Recognizing the value of deep engagement
Avoiding punitive measures for intensity or focus
Creating peer groups or mentorship programs that celebrate individual strengths
Practical Tips for Nurturing Your Special Interests
Create Dedicated Time: Schedule regular sessions to engage deeply with passions.
Set Goals Around Interests: Use interests to practice new skills or achieve milestones.
Share With Others: Join online forums, clubs, or in-person groups to connect socially.
Document Your Learning: Journaling, blogging, or creative projects can reinforce mastery.
Balance Interests With Daily Life: While immersion is healthy, ensure self-care and responsibilities are maintained.
Use Interests Strategically: Leverage passions to reduce anxiety, improve focus, or spark motivation.
Book a Free Consultation
If you want to explore how to leverage special interests for personal growth, learning, or emotional regulation, neurodiversity-affirming therapy or autism coaching can provide guidance, strategies, and support tailored to your unique strengths and needs.
Book a free consultation with a neurodivergent coach or therapist to embrace autistic joy and thrive.
References
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Davidson, J., & Henderson, V. L. (2010). Autism and social identity: A comparative analysis. Autism Research Journal.
Damiano, C. R., et al. (2017). Neural reward circuitry activation in autistic adults during engagement in special interests. NeuroImage: Clinical.
Koenig, K., & Williams, Z. (2018). Special interests in autism: Cognitive and emotional benefits. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(3), 872–884.
Lawson, R. P., et al. (2015). Cognitive flexibility and creativity in autistic individuals. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1201.
Turner, M. (1999). Repetitive behavior in autism: A review of research and theory. Autism, 3(2), 91–119.
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