Dedicated interest - Revision history

AMothman: /* Examples */

2024-01-18T04:06:04Z

Examples

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:06, 18 January 2024
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	{{Comment\|Let's add a few varied examples of dedicated interests, emphasising how it's not ''just'' stereotypical ones such as trains (although that's fine too), preferably with off-site links to photos of people's collections.}}		{{Comment\|Let's add a few varied examples of dedicated interests, emphasising how it's not ''just'' stereotypical ones such as trains (although that's fine too), preferably with off-site links to photos of people's collections.}}

			-This is my first time editing, so please tell me if I'm doing it wrong! For about a year and a half now, I've been really into American Cryptids, especially Mothman, and it's gotten to the point where whenever my family members see something Mothman related they immediately inform me of it and I have a whole folder on my computer for Mothman-related files, such as fanart and screenshots, and an infodump that I am constantly updating in my head in the event that somebody says they "don't know a lot about Mothman" and then consents when I ask them if they would like to hear about Mothman.

	== References ==		== References ==

Tullo-x86 at 17:37, 1 October 2022

2022-10-01T17:37:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:37, 1 October 2022
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	== Terminology ==		== Terminology ==

	The name '''dedicated interest''' is somewhat recent, but is gaining popularity among autistic academics who are trying to break away from the [[Pathology paradigm\|language of pathology]] (the viewpoint that autism is aberrant rather than a natural and common difference) to build language that [[Neurodiversity ~~paradigm~~\|celebrates neurodiversity]]. Under the pathology paradigm, dedicated interests are labelled '''special interests''' — a term which is coming to be seen as patronising, especially when applied to adults.		The name '''dedicated interest''' is somewhat recent, but is gaining popularity among autistic academics who are trying to break away from the [[Pathology paradigm\|language of pathology]] (the viewpoint that autism is aberrant rather than a natural and common difference) to build language that [[Neurodiversity\|celebrates neurodiversity]]. Under the pathology paradigm, dedicated interests are labelled '''special interests''' — a term which is coming to be seen as patronising, especially when applied to adults.

	Another proposed alternative is '''autistic area of expertise''' ('''AAE'''). <ref name="james-smith" />		Another proposed alternative is '''autistic area of expertise''' ('''AAE'''). <ref name="james-smith" />

Tullo-x86: Update language to align with page move & explain the origin of the term "dedicated interest"

2022-10-01T17:13:26Z

Update language to align with page move & explain the origin of the term "dedicated interest"

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:13, 1 October 2022
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	{{Stub}}		{{Stub}}

	A '''~~special~~ interest''' (~~often abbreviated to~~ '''~~SpIn~~''') is a deep and abiding curiosity and fascination about a particular topic. The topic could be anything, and could range from a very broad field, such as physics or ocean life, to as narrow a subject as a single species of mushroom or an individual episode of a cartoon.		A '''dedicated interest''' (or '''special interest''' as defined by non-autistics) is a deep and abiding curiosity and fascination about a particular topic. The topic could be anything, and could range from a very broad field, such as physics or ocean life, to as narrow a subject as a single species of mushroom or an individual episode of a cartoon.

	~~Special~~ interests often come and go over a person's lifetime and may last [[Hyperfixation\|a few months]] to many years. Some people have several ~~special~~ interests at a time while some have only one, and sometimes ~~special~~ interests that had faded away can come back and be a central focus again.		Dedicated interests often come and go over a person's lifetime and may last [[Hyperfixation\|a few months]] to many years. Some people have several dedicated interests at a time while some have only one, and sometimes dedicated interests that had faded away can come back and be a central focus again.

	== Terminology ==		== Terminology ==

	~~As some find~~ the term ~~"special interest" somewhat~~ patronising, especially when applied to adults~~, there are a few alternatives:~~ '''~~Autistic~~ area of expertise''' ('''AAE''').<ref name="james-smith" />		The name '''dedicated interest''' is somewhat recent, but is gaining popularity among autistic academics who are trying to break away from the [[Pathology paradigm\|language of pathology]] (the viewpoint that autism is aberrant rather than a natural and common difference) to build language that [[Neurodiversity paradigm\|celebrates neurodiversity]]. Under the pathology paradigm, dedicated interests are labelled '''special interests''' — a term which is coming to be seen as patronising, especially when applied to adults.

			Another proposed alternative is '''autistic area of expertise''' ('''AAE'''). <ref name="james-smith" />

	{{Comment\|Any others? I always used passion, vocation, and obsession before realising I was autistic...}}		{{Comment\|Any others? I always used passion, vocation, and obsession before realising I was autistic...}}
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	== Distinction from hobbies ==		== Distinction from hobbies ==

	What distinguishes a ~~special~~ interest from a plain interest or a hobby is its intensity and the distinctive way a person interacts with it. A ~~special~~ interest draws your attention so strongly that you feel like you never get tired of it. You want to spend time on it every day; you might wake up thinking about it and still be thinking about it as you fall asleep. You might go looking for more information or reread your favorite passages about it whenever you get a free moment. It may be an important part of how you organize your understanding of the world, a framework you relate all your other knowledge to. It may fill you with a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness to engage with it, and you may feel frustrated and overwhelmed by the world when you have to spend too much time away from it.		What distinguishes a dedicated interest from a plain interest or a hobby is its intensity and the distinctive way a person interacts with it. A dedicated interest draws your attention so strongly that you feel like you never get tired of it. You want to spend time on it every day; you might wake up thinking about it and still be thinking about it as you fall asleep. You might go looking for more information or reread your favorite passages about it whenever you get a free moment. It may be an important part of how you organize your understanding of the world, a framework you relate all your other knowledge to. It may fill you with a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness to engage with it, and you may feel frustrated and overwhelmed by the world when you have to spend too much time away from it.

	== Hyperfixations ==		== Hyperfixations ==

	{{Comment\|What's the difference between a hyperfixation and ~~special~~ interest?}}		{{Comment\|What's the difference between a hyperfixation and dedicated interest?}}

	See also: [[hyperfixation]]		See also: [[hyperfixation]]
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	== Importance ==		== Importance ==

	~~Special~~ interests are often a source of great [[Autistic joy\|joy and fulfillment]] in life for Autistic people, and it's important for Autistic well-being to engage with and encourage them. Some people build careers around their ~~special~~ interests, but that's not the only way to make a place for them in your life. ~~Special~~ interests that no one else understands, that you pursue only for your own satisfaction, are every bit as valuable. Spending time on ~~special~~ interests can be a good way to relax and get some relief from an overwhelming world. And bringing joy is enough reason to celebrate their existence.		Dedicated interests are often a source of great [[Autistic joy\|joy and fulfillment]] in life for Autistic people, and it's important for Autistic well-being to engage with and encourage them. Some people build careers around their dedicated interests, but that's not the only way to make a place for them in your life. Dedicated interests that no one else understands, that you pursue only for your own satisfaction, are every bit as valuable. Spending time on dedicated interests can be a good way to relax and get some relief from an overwhelming world. And bringing joy is enough reason to celebrate their existence.

	== Bias in autism research ==		== Bias in autism research ==

	As doctors and scientists originally only looked for autism in white boys, they incorrectly believed — and sometimes still believe — that ~~special~~ interests can only be in things like trains, planes, and math. It's just as common for people to have ~~special~~ interests in horses, literature, and art. It's not about ''what'' you're interested in, so much as ''how deeply'' you're interested in it.		As doctors and scientists originally only looked for autism in white boys, they incorrectly believed — and sometimes still believe — that dedicated interests can only be in things like trains, planes, and math. It's just as common for people to have dedicated interests in horses, literature, and art. It's not about ''what'' you're interested in, so much as ''how deeply'' you're interested in it.

	== Examples ==		== Examples ==

	{{Comment\|Let's add a few varied examples of ~~special~~ interests, emphasising how it's not ''just'' stereotypical ones such as trains (although that's fine too), preferably with off-site links to photos of people's collections.}}		{{Comment\|Let's add a few varied examples of dedicated interests, emphasising how it's not ''just'' stereotypical ones such as trains (although that's fine too), preferably with off-site links to photos of people's collections.}}

	== References ==		== References ==

Tullo-x86: Tullo-x86 moved page Special interest to Dedicated interest: "Special interest" is a patronising term rooted in the language of pathology rather than that of neurodiversity

2022-10-01T17:00:42Z

Tullo-x86 moved page Special interest to Dedicated interest: "Special interest" is a patronising term rooted in the language of pathology rather than that of neurodiversity

← Older revision

Revision as of 17:00, 1 October 2022

ZoeB: Added more rough structure

2022-09-07T13:17:04Z

Added more rough structure

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:17, 7 September 2022
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	Special interests often come and go over a person's lifetime and may last [[Hyperfixation\|a few months]] to many years. Some people have several special interests at a time while some have only one, and sometimes special interests that had faded away can come back and be a central focus again.		Special interests often come and go over a person's lifetime and may last [[Hyperfixation\|a few months]] to many years. Some people have several special interests at a time while some have only one, and sometimes special interests that had faded away can come back and be a central focus again.

			== Terminology ==

			As some find the term "special interest" somewhat patronising, especially when applied to adults, there are a few alternatives: '''Autistic area of expertise''' ('''AAE''').<ref name="james-smith" />

			{{Comment\|Any others? I always used passion, vocation, and obsession before realising I was autistic...}}

	== Distinction from hobbies ==		== Distinction from hobbies ==

	What distinguishes a special interest from a plain interest or a hobby is its intensity and the distinctive way a person interacts with it. A special interest draws your attention so strongly that you feel like you never get tired of it. You want to spend time on it every day; you might wake up thinking about it and still be thinking about it as you fall asleep. You might go looking for more information or reread your favorite passages about it whenever you get a free moment. It may be an important part of how you organize your understanding of the world, a framework you relate all your other knowledge to. It may fill you with a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness to engage with it, and you may feel frustrated and overwhelmed by the world when you have to spend too much time away from it.		What distinguishes a special interest from a plain interest or a hobby is its intensity and the distinctive way a person interacts with it. A special interest draws your attention so strongly that you feel like you never get tired of it. You want to spend time on it every day; you might wake up thinking about it and still be thinking about it as you fall asleep. You might go looking for more information or reread your favorite passages about it whenever you get a free moment. It may be an important part of how you organize your understanding of the world, a framework you relate all your other knowledge to. It may fill you with a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness to engage with it, and you may feel frustrated and overwhelmed by the world when you have to spend too much time away from it.

			== Hyperfixations ==

			{{Comment\|What's the difference between a hyperfixation and special interest?}}

			See also: [[hyperfixation]]

	== Importance ==		== Importance ==
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	Special interests are often a source of great [[Autistic joy\|joy and fulfillment]] in life for Autistic people, and it's important for Autistic well-being to engage with and encourage them. Some people build careers around their special interests, but that's not the only way to make a place for them in your life. Special interests that no one else understands, that you pursue only for your own satisfaction, are every bit as valuable. Spending time on special interests can be a good way to relax and get some relief from an overwhelming world. And bringing joy is enough reason to celebrate their existence.		Special interests are often a source of great [[Autistic joy\|joy and fulfillment]] in life for Autistic people, and it's important for Autistic well-being to engage with and encourage them. Some people build careers around their special interests, but that's not the only way to make a place for them in your life. Special interests that no one else understands, that you pursue only for your own satisfaction, are every bit as valuable. Spending time on special interests can be a good way to relax and get some relief from an overwhelming world. And bringing joy is enough reason to celebrate their existence.

	{{Comment\|~~Some ideas for additional stuff~~ that ~~might go into this page:~~}}		== Bias in autism research ==

			As doctors and scientists originally only looked for autism in white boys, they incorrectly believed — and sometimes still believe — that special interests can only be in things like trains, planes, and math. It's just as common for people to have special interests in horses, literature, and art. It's not about ''what'' you're interested in, so much as ''how deeply'' you're interested in it.

			== Examples ==

			{{Comment\|Let's add a few varied examples of special interests, emphasising how it's not ''just'' stereotypical ones such as trains (although that's fine too), preferably with off-site links to photos of people's collections.}}

			== References ==

	* Difference between a special interest ~~and a hyperfixation~~		<references>
	* Problems with autism ~~research and stereotypes only acknowledging certain types of interests as special interest, e.g. trains, planes, math~~ = ~~autistic; horses, literature, art~~ = ~~somehow not autistic~~		<ref name="james-smith">[https://www.quora.com/What-s-the-difference-between-hyperfixation-ADHD-and-a-special-interest-autism/answer/James-Smith-4601?ch=10&oid=247287365&share=e201ddd5&target_type=answer James Smith on Quora]</ref>
	* A few varied examples of special interests, emphasising how it's not ''just'' stereotypical ones such as trains (although that's fine too), preferably with off-site links to photos of people's collections		</references>

	[[Category:Autistic paradigms and terminology]]		[[Category:Autistic paradigms and terminology]]

	[[Category:Stubs]]		[[Category:Stubs]]

ZoeB: /* Importance */

2022-09-07T13:00:52Z

Importance

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:00, 7 September 2022
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	* Difference between a special interest and a hyperfixation		* Difference between a special interest and a hyperfixation
	* Examples of special interests
	* Problems with autism research and stereotypes only acknowledging certain types of interests as special interest, e.g. trains, planes, math = autistic; horses, literature, art = somehow not autistic		* Problems with autism research and stereotypes only acknowledging certain types of interests as special interest, e.g. trains, planes, math = autistic; horses, literature, art = somehow not autistic
			* A few varied examples of special interests, emphasising how it's not ''just'' stereotypical ones such as trains (although that's fine too), preferably with off-site links to photos of people's collections

	[[Category:Autistic paradigms and terminology]]		[[Category:Autistic paradigms and terminology]]

	[[Category:Stubs]]		[[Category:Stubs]]

ZoeB: Please revert if I'm wrong, but I think in this instance "relax" is just as accurate as "regulate emotions", and sounds less clinical/scary to newcomers

2022-09-07T12:57:36Z

Please revert if I'm wrong, but I think in this instance "relax" is just as accurate as "regulate emotions", and sounds less clinical/scary to newcomers

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:57, 7 September 2022
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	== Importance ==		== Importance ==

	Special interests are often a source of great [[Autistic joy\|joy and fulfillment]] in life for Autistic people, and it's important for Autistic well-being to engage with and encourage them. Some people build careers around their special interests, but that's not the only way to make a place for them in your life. Special interests that no one else understands, that you pursue only for your own satisfaction, are every bit as valuable. ~~Time spent~~ on special interests can be a good way to ~~regulate emotions~~ and get some relief from an overwhelming world. And bringing joy is enough reason to celebrate their existence.		Special interests are often a source of great [[Autistic joy\|joy and fulfillment]] in life for Autistic people, and it's important for Autistic well-being to engage with and encourage them. Some people build careers around their special interests, but that's not the only way to make a place for them in your life. Special interests that no one else understands, that you pursue only for your own satisfaction, are every bit as valuable. Spending time on special interests can be a good way to relax and get some relief from an overwhelming world. And bringing joy is enough reason to celebrate their existence.

	{{Comment\|Some ideas for additional stuff that might go into this page:}}		{{Comment\|Some ideas for additional stuff that might go into this page:}}

Fochti: Added some formatting, comments and sections to improve readability

2022-08-24T14:45:17Z

Added some formatting, comments and sections to improve readability

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:45, 24 August 2022
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	A special interest is a deep and abiding curiosity and fascination about a particular topic. ~~(Often abbreviated SpIn.)~~ The topic could be anything, and could range from a very broad field, such as physics or ocean life, to as narrow a subject as a single species of mushroom or an individual episode of a cartoon. Special interests often come and go over a person's lifetime and may last a few months to many years. Some people have several special interests at a time while some have only one, and sometimes special interests that had faded away can come back and be a central focus again.		{{Stub}}

			A '''special interest''' (often abbreviated to '''SpIn''') is a deep and abiding curiosity and fascination about a particular topic. The topic could be anything, and could range from a very broad field, such as physics or ocean life, to as narrow a subject as a single species of mushroom or an individual episode of a cartoon.

			Special interests often come and go over a person's lifetime and may last [[Hyperfixation\|a few months]] to many years. Some people have several special interests at a time while some have only one, and sometimes special interests that had faded away can come back and be a central focus again.

			== Distinction from hobbies ==

	What distinguishes a special interest from a plain interest or a hobby is its intensity and the distinctive way a person interacts with it. A special interest draws your attention so strongly that you feel like you never get tired of it. You want to spend time on it every day; you might wake up thinking about it and still be thinking about it as you fall asleep. You might go looking for more information or reread your favorite passages about it whenever you get a free moment. It may be an important part of how you organize your understanding of the world, a framework you relate all your other knowledge to. It may fill you with a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness to engage with it, and you may feel frustrated and overwhelmed by the world when you have to spend too much time away from it.		What distinguishes a special interest from a plain interest or a hobby is its intensity and the distinctive way a person interacts with it. A special interest draws your attention so strongly that you feel like you never get tired of it. You want to spend time on it every day; you might wake up thinking about it and still be thinking about it as you fall asleep. You might go looking for more information or reread your favorite passages about it whenever you get a free moment. It may be an important part of how you organize your understanding of the world, a framework you relate all your other knowledge to. It may fill you with a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness to engage with it, and you may feel frustrated and overwhelmed by the world when you have to spend too much time away from it.

	Special interests are often a source of great joy and fulfillment in life for Autistic people, and it's important for Autistic well-being to engage with and encourage them. Some people build careers around their special interests, but that's not the only way to make a place for them in your life. Special interests that no one else understands, that you pursue only for your own satisfaction, are every bit as valuable. Time spent on special interests can be a good way to regulate emotions and get some relief from an overwhelming world. And bringing joy is enough reason to celebrate their existence.		== Importance ==

			Special interests are often a source of great [[Autistic joy\|joy and fulfillment]] in life for Autistic people, and it's important for Autistic well-being to engage with and encourage them. Some people build careers around their special interests, but that's not the only way to make a place for them in your life. Special interests that no one else understands, that you pursue only for your own satisfaction, are every bit as valuable. Time spent on special interests can be a good way to regulate emotions and get some relief from an overwhelming world. And bringing joy is enough reason to celebrate their existence.

			{{Comment\|Some ideas for additional stuff that might go into this page:}}

	* Difference between a special interest and a hyperfixation		* Difference between a special interest and a hyperfixation

172.30.3.168 at 04:57, 24 August 2022

2022-08-24T04:57:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:57, 24 August 2022
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	* Definition of '''special interest'''		A special interest is a deep and abiding curiosity and fascination about a particular topic. (Often abbreviated SpIn.) The topic could be anything, and could range from a very broad field, such as physics or ocean life, to as narrow a subject as a single species of mushroom or an individual episode of a cartoon. Special interests often come and go over a person's lifetime and may last a few months to many years. Some people have several special interests at a time while some have only one, and sometimes special interests that had faded away can come back and be a central focus again.
	* Difference between a special ~~interest~~ and ~~"just a hobby"~~
			What distinguishes a special interest from a plain interest or a hobby is its intensity and the distinctive way a person interacts with it. A special interest draws your attention so strongly that you feel like you never get tired of it. You want to spend time on it every day; you might wake up thinking about it and still be thinking about it as you fall asleep. You might go looking for more information or reread your favorite passages about it whenever you get a free moment. It may be an important part of how you organize your understanding of the world, a framework you relate all your other knowledge to. It may fill you with a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness to engage with it, and you may feel frustrated and overwhelmed by the world when you have to spend too much time away from it.

			Special interests are often a source of great joy and fulfillment in life for Autistic people, and it's important for Autistic well-being to engage with and encourage them. Some people build careers around their special interests, but that's not the only way to make a place for them in your life. Special interests that no one else understands, that you pursue only for your own satisfaction, are every bit as valuable. Time spent on special interests can be a good way to regulate emotions and get some relief from an overwhelming world. And bringing joy is enough reason to celebrate their existence.


	* Difference between a special interest and a hyperfixation		* Difference between a special interest and a hyperfixation
	* Examples of special interests		* Examples of special interests

ZoeB at 09:17, 23 August 2022

2022-08-23T09:17:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:17, 23 August 2022
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	~~Stub article~~.		* Definition of '''special interest'''
			* Difference between a special interest and "just a hobby"
			* Difference between a special interest and a hyperfixation
			* Examples of special interests
			* Problems with autism research and stereotypes only acknowledging certain types of interests as special interest, e.g. trains, planes, math = autistic; horses, literature, art = somehow not autistic

			[[Category:Autistic paradigms and terminology]]

	~~• Definition of special interest~~		[[Category:Stubs]]

	~~• Difference between a special interest and "just a hobby"~~

	~~• Difference between a special interest and a hyperfixation~~

	~~• Examples of special interests~~

	• Problems with autism research and stereotypes only acknowledging certain types of interests as special interest, e.g. trains, planes, math = autistic; horses, literature, art = somehow not autistic

	[[Category:~~Autistic paradigms and terminology~~]]