Autyzm

Around 75–90% of autistic people develop a special interest,[4] with some studies claiming as high as 95%.[14] Special interests are often developed between one and four years of age but may not develop until adulthood.[4] Many special interests start in children as a fascination with a particular object (e.g. Thomas the Tank Engine) and later develop into an interest in a specific topic (e.g. trains).[2] A special interest may change over time or last a person's whole life.[15] A 2014 survey found that the average number of special interests an autistic person has is 2, and the average longevity is 13 years.[2]

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.[23]

Special interests can sometimes interfere with other areas of a person's life, such as school.[29] In children, incorporating a child's special interest into their education has been shown to improve learning outcomes,[30][28] increase attention on learning topics[31] and teach behaviours such as sportsmanship.[32] Students have been shown to write better when writing about their special interest compared to a control topic.[33] A 2022 study showed 25% of autistic people who worked had employment in their area of special interest and that adults with employable special interests may have better employment outcomes.[26] Special interests may lead people to become child prodigies or savants in their area of interest.[23]