Demystifying Special Interests and Meltdowns in Autism

A Closer Look at Special Interests and Autistic Meltdowns

One of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder is having a special interest. The literature and selected experiences of many children and adults diagnosed with autism illustrate experiences where individuals become fixated on specific things to the extent that nothing else matters, or when prevented from enjoying a particular special interest, adverse reactions occur.

These adverse reactions manifest as an autistic meltdown, which involves someone with autism becoming angry, shutting down, becoming unresponsive or violent, and ultimately entering a state where their special interest takes precedence over everything else.

An autistic meltdown is an intense response to overwhelming situations or environments and is commonly experienced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder. It can manifest as a sudden loss of control, resulting in a spectrum of behaviors such as crying, shouting, becoming physically aggressive, or shutting down and becoming unresponsive. These reactions are not intentional or manipulative; rather, they are a natural response to sensory overload, emotional distress, or an accumulation of stressors. It's crucial to understand that an autistic meltdown is different from a temper tantrum, as it is not a way to seek attention or get something desired. It is an involuntary reaction to being overwhelmed and is often exhausting and distressing for the individual experiencing it. It is important to approach someone experiencing a meltdown with empathy, patience, and a calm demeanor, and to provide a quiet and safe space for them to recover if possible.

For an observer not familiar with autism criteria and seeing ‘special interest’ highlighted prominently, it can be discouraging to seek or even pursue a diagnosis. I believe the difficulty exists with a lack of awareness in regard to what special interests are and how they dominate an individuals life and actions

Moreover, the media representation of autism, from ‘Rainman’ to ‘Atypical’ and other reality TV depictions, often exacerbates the issue by not only including the special interest but also by portraying it as taken to an extreme. In this case, with the special interest almost becoming the single most important personality trait for the character

However, it is important to note that not everyone with autism has a special interest, or more accurately, a single focus that can be defined as a special interest.

An autistic special interest can be defined as a highly specific and intense focus on a particular subject or activity that is common among individuals with autism spectrum disorder. This interest goes beyond a hobby or a favorite pastime; it is often something that an autistic person is deeply passionate about and may spend a significant amount of time thinking about, talking about, or engaging in. The subject of the special interest can vary widely from person to person, and can include topics such as a particular period in history, a specific genre of music, a type of animal, or a specific activity like drawing or collecting. For an autistic individual, this special interest can provide comfort, structure, and a sense of purpose. It's important to note that having a special interest is not a negative trait, nor is it unique to autistic individuals, but the intensity and focus of the interest is often more pronounced in those with autism.

For example, in my experience, a special interest is elusive. While I do have interests, and some become more important than others, I have rarely been aware of a special interest that overwhelmed every other aspect of my life. By not having the ability to distinguish between the ability to have an intense personal interest in something and a specific and all encompassing special interest, allowing myself to accept the possibility of autism was difficult

As a child, I was fond of Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. I am told I had a considerable collection, but apart from a single memory of one car, which I cannot even describe, I have no recollection of these cars or this interest. This memory gap was partly explained to me before my child, Commander, was pre-assessed for autism. My parents revealed that, like Commander, I had loved cars, but they had donated all my cars to charity because I refused to pick them up.

Had my parents not shared this with me, I would not have remembered it, nor do I have access to these memories. Given some parenting choices I do remember, I am not surprised.

For me, a ‘special interest’ seems to be an area of intense interest at a particular period of time and not something that I’m particularly obsessed with over long periods of time. For instance, I buy and keep many books, most of which sit in boxes in the attic because there is no space for them currently. These books pertain to specific areas of interest and reach a critical mass, often associated with the amount of money spent rather than the desire for another subject-specific book. Unfortunately, this does not mean I do not end up with that book; it just means I either have to find it at a better price or wait to receive it as a gift.

After my autism diagnosis, I discovered movable types and manual printing presses, and, consequently, bookbinding. These interests led to new books and finding the necessary tools and resources to be able to explore what amounts to a hobby today. I built some things, made online requests for others, and there are items, like an old cast iron book press, that I want but will eventually give up on acquiring.

Stored in boxes, due to lack of space, are various toys I would love to display. I have a small collection of old 8mm cameras, an 8mm film projector, and 8mm film reels that I used for a while but had to stop due to space constraints. There are also broken parts and cameras that I can use to fix and restore more complete cameras. I can continue with the things I collect both with the intent to repair or restore and things I collect for some hard-to-define esthetic

Most of the O gauge trains I bought in 2019 with the intention of using and restoring are in storage because it is too expensive to do so at the moment. In retrospect, I probably should have delayed purchasing the trains as they require a significantly larger footprint than everything else.

Ultimately, my areas of intense interest vary based on my surroundings and family needs. Reading about autism remains an ongoing area of intense interest due to personal and parental needs and desires.