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Engaging in special interests can bring autistic people great joy [24] [25] and many autistic people spend large amounts of time engaged in their special interest. [26] In adults, engaging with special interests has been shown to have positive outcomes for mental health, [27] self-esteem, [28] and can be used to manage stress.
Autism spectrum disorder [a] (ASD), or simply autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder "characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts" and "restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities". [11]
Other websites (for example [65]) have lists of famous persons identified as autistic, though not all have been formally diagnosed. Additionally, media speculation of contemporary figures as being on the autism spectrum has become popular in recent times.
Careers in contact with nature, plants and animals (horticulture, equestrianism, etc.) are among the most common interests, [135] with individual examples of autistic farmers and breeders in the media. [136] [137] [138] The best-known example is that of zootechnician and doctor in animal science, Temple Grandin. [139]
Although sample sizes are too small to draw firm conclusions, one study suggests that autistic women are less likely than males over the long term to marry, have families, go to college, have careers and live independently. An intense interest in specific topics plays a significant factor in the lives of those on the autism spectrum of both ...
Autism Alert Cards, for example, are available for autistic people in London, England, UK so that police and emergency personnel will recognize autistic individuals and respond appropriately. The cards, which encourage autism-friendly interaction, have a couple of key points about interacting with autistic people.
Restricted interests: Interests or fixations that are abnormal in theme or intensity of focus, such as preoccupation with a single television program, toy, or game. No single repetitive or self-injurious behavior seems to be specific to autism, but autism appears to have an elevated pattern of occurrence and severity of these behaviors.
High-functioning autism (HFA) was historically an autism classification to describe a person who exhibited no intellectual disability but otherwise showed autistic traits, such as difficulty in social interaction and communication, as well as repetitive, restricted patterns of behavior.