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What happened to all my special interests

Miles

I understand that special interests are a significant part of many people’s autistic lives. I have certainly had a few over my life. I am not sure what I think about the term special interests, although for me it is definitely preferable to the word 'hobby' maybe 'passions' sits better with me. I am talking about interests that I have devoted myself to fully, become obsessed with and become central to how I see myself in the world. I have also tried to turn some of these interests into work and I have had some success in this but ultimately this has not worked out for me.

this has left me feeling like a bit of a failure and mistrustful of investing time and energy into any of the interests that have previously brought me pleasure. I struggle to motivate myself as I fear it will ultimately lead to disappointment.  Consequently, I feel like a significant part of myself is missing.

It’s feels like grief. What’s more is l feel slightly hesitant posing this here as if admitting to being without a special interest somehow draws into question whether or not I am actually autistic.

Does any of this resonate with anyone here? If it does what has been your experience and have you managed to overcome it? 

Parents
  • Miles said:
    l feel slightly hesitant posing this here as if admitting to being without a special interest somehow draws into question whether or not I am actually autistic

    Hopefully you'll be reassured to hear that even a complete absence of special interests wouldn't necessarily prevent someone from still being diagnosed as autistic. Slight smile [smile] 

    Under both diagnostic manuals (DSM and ICD), it's possible to be autistic without having focused / special interests, as long as other features are present that meet the broader criterion that special interests also fall under.

    It might also help to know that any focused / special interests that we do have can be short-term, long-term, or lifelong - so we also needn't worry if they change over time:

    NAS - Focused and dedicated interests

    Given the emotional impact of your past frustrations with trying to turn some of your special interests into profitable work, I wouldn't want to encourage or discourage you from trying again. But I was reminded of a quote that's attributed to Thomas Edison: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." (ThomasEdison.org)

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  • Miles said:
    l feel slightly hesitant posing this here as if admitting to being without a special interest somehow draws into question whether or not I am actually autistic

    Hopefully you'll be reassured to hear that even a complete absence of special interests wouldn't necessarily prevent someone from still being diagnosed as autistic. Slight smile [smile] 

    Under both diagnostic manuals (DSM and ICD), it's possible to be autistic without having focused / special interests, as long as other features are present that meet the broader criterion that special interests also fall under.

    It might also help to know that any focused / special interests that we do have can be short-term, long-term, or lifelong - so we also needn't worry if they change over time:

    NAS - Focused and dedicated interests

    Given the emotional impact of your past frustrations with trying to turn some of your special interests into profitable work, I wouldn't want to encourage or discourage you from trying again. But I was reminded of a quote that's attributed to Thomas Edison: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." (ThomasEdison.org)

Children