Is this a good topic title?

hi, I always find this a difficult subject because when my sons psychiatrist asks me does M have any obsessions i dont know what they mean, yes he loves movies and tv in general, he knows so much trivia and recognises names of actors etc that i havnt a clue about. He loves the odeon books and if anyone is going to the cinema he asks for one. However, he doesnt need to have it, if no one is going to the cinema its not a problem. Also i know a lot of people not on the spectrum that have the same interests. M has now started a media course at college because it interests him. As far as i know he is the only AS on the course.

Do you understand what i mean, i think the word obsession suggest a negative interest, where M interest will hopefully lead to a career. So is he obssesed? or is he simply like a lot of people and interested in films?

Im glad M has a strong interest as this gives him a way into social circles as he rarely starts conversations and only joins in if he knows the facts being talked about, so he chats to his fellow students and is making friend due to there shared interest.

Sam

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I'm not one to be overly politically correct but I think "obsessions" could have negative connotations to some users. Whilst I think it's pretty accurate a lot of the time as a person with Aspergers syndrome when ever someone says "you're obsessed" it really feels like attention is being drawn to my disability.

My 5 year old aspie Grandson LOVES trains and anything remotely connected to them.

He is not 'obsessed', nor is he 'simply interested', he 'loves' them. He loves playing with them, riding on them, talking about them and more.

The words to describe his enjoyment do not matter to him, (It is what it is) just the fun and pleasure of spending his time immersed in all things Train. 

i would propose Hobbies & Passtimes because it's neutrally mooded and autistic people warm to that kind of tone... the idea of passing time is a natural one but the idea of being interested or obsessed has an air of ups-&-downs which can be unsettling

I'm a regular on Geekplanetonline.com. All of us are geeks, very few, if any of us have ASD but the mainstream community would describe us as obsessional simply because our interests (sci-fi, fantasy, horror, gaming) are not theirs (football, soap operas, z-list celebrities).

Hobbies and special interests would include me and others who are parents/carers or professionals alongside those with ASD where we have hobbies and interests in common.

Geekplanet is very tolerant and friendly site with forums, articles and podcasts so if anyone has sci-fi, fantasy, horror or gaming interests and is over 18 I recommed the site. I do stress the over 18, though, as a) explicit language is routinely used and b) the horror content in particular is adult, and if you can't watch movies rated 18 (or the equivalent adult rating oversees) it would be difficult to join in effectively.

Yes, this is a good title. S has special interests and this title does him/them justice, they are not obessions - just unusual/specialised interests.

Melly

Thanks Andrew, that's really helpful. We'll see how other people feel about it and take it from there, but yeah, if this area does let people discuss their common interests and talk about times when things are a problem then that would be great. :)

I think "Special Interests" is a neutral expression which most AS people I have spoken to are happy with.

I think this might be a good place to share a balance of views re where Special Interests have caused difficulties- e.g. taking up time to the exclusion of all else or cuasing excessive spending- as opposed to where they have been beneficial, perhaps even giving an "in" to a chose career.

As an example, I have a special interest in 1960's American comics. As well as enjoying them in their own right, I've built up a wealth of experience in buying and selling them and have been able to make a little extra money out of my interest.

Okay, let's try with special interests - that seems a nice bit of middle ground then we'll see how people respond.

Thanks everyone :)

The difference between hobbies, interests and obsessions is just a matter of degree and perspective.

I had never really thought of obsessions in general being negative but I do take your points.

Perhaps a more PC title would be: Hobbies and special interests.

I am making this point because I feel this topic could be a valuable resource in the future where a parent can simply scroll through the threads until they find one about their own child's unusual obsession/special interest.

I think "Hobbies and interests" is better.  Some people do not like their interests being described as obsessions.

It's an interesting point - I felt obsession might be too negative but on the other we could address it directly.