3 ms·
> ASD is characterized by an ability to focus intently on an area of special interest, developing an unusually detailed level of knowledge of that topic. Howev
by rsstack 6y ago
> ASD is characterized by an ability to focus intently on an area of special interest, developing an unusually detailed level of knowledge of that topic.
However, this is not true. It doesn't apply to all people with ASD. I volunteered with adults with ASD about ten years ago. One person in the group really had a special interest fixation (a person), but he didn't know more than the average person would know after reading a single biography. He was barely able to read or remember complex facts, so I don't think he had the ability to develop an unusually detailed level of knowledge of that topic or any other. The rest didn't have any memorable interests, but I guess it's also possible that it wasn't cultivated in them.
- chownie 6y agoIt's also true that none of the symptoms of autism apply universally. I'm good friends with an autistic man, he's got a special interest for a certain branch of mathematics and swing dance. He's also great with regards to social interaction, he's seemed to keep close connections with every person he comes across when he's traveled. There's a saying that "if you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism", symptoms present differently in everyone and they're highly responsive to environment. As a trend I'd say special interests are probably a decent contender for a hallmark, probably along with language difficulty and eye contact avoidance.
- nicoburns 6y agoThe negative characteristics don't apply to everyone with ASD either.