• Replies 31 replies
  • Subscribers 92 subscribers
  • Views 1004 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Special Interests - they’re just interests

Geeky Gothic Guy

Probably gonna annoy a few people with this but I’m just irritated with reading the term “special” interests. They’re just interests. Why is there the need to have the word special? Not once have I ever referred to my interests as “special” They’re just my interests. By referring to interests as special, just seems like there’s this need to feel, well, special. 

Parents

  • It’s just a shorter and more simple way of saying:

    • “Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus”, per the DSM criteria for autism.
    • Or “Persistent restricted, repetitive, and inflexible patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities that are clearly atypical or excessive for the individual’s age and sociocultural context.”, per the ICD criteria.

    The NAS uses a shorter phrase in its related article:

    NAS - Focused and dedicated interests

    The NAS article does acknowledge that some people find “special” patronising.

Reply

  • It’s just a shorter and more simple way of saying:

    • “Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus”, per the DSM criteria for autism.
    • Or “Persistent restricted, repetitive, and inflexible patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities that are clearly atypical or excessive for the individual’s age and sociocultural context.”, per the ICD criteria.

    The NAS uses a shorter phrase in its related article:

    NAS - Focused and dedicated interests

    The NAS article does acknowledge that some people find “special” patronising.

Children
No Data