Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Neuroplasticity01:01

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.
Modeling in Therapy01:26

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Intellectual Disability01:29

Intellectual Disability

Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
Learning Disabilities01:25

Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities are cognitive disorders caused by neurological impairments that affect cognitive functions like language and reading, without indicating overall intellectual or developmental challenges. These disabilities differ from global intellectual or developmental disabilities as they are limited to distinct cognitive functions. Common learning disabilities include dysgraphia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, each of which impacts unique aspects of learning.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Introspection01:29

Introspection

Introspection, long upheld as a reliable route to self-knowledge, involves examining one's thoughts, emotions, and mental processes. It underpins many psychological practices, from mindfulness meditation to psychotherapy and self-help strategies. However, empirical evidence challenges the accuracy of introspection as a means of understanding oneself.Limitations of Introspective InsightSeminal work by Nisbett and Wilson demonstrated that individuals are frequently unaware of the true causes...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same journal

Ethical Complexities and Concerns Surrounding Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Open-Access Scientific Framework in Autism Research.

Autism in adulthood·2026
Same journal

A Cross-Neurotype Analysis of Camouflaging and Illness Perceptions in People with Central Sensitivity Syndromes.

Autism in adulthood·2026
Same journal

"It Has Shown Me How Much I Am Capable Of": An Exploration of Autistic Burnout Experiences in Motherhood.

Autism in adulthood·2026
Same journal

Relationship Satisfaction Among Autistic Populations: How Partner Neurotype Influences Relationship Satisfaction Factors for Autistic Adults.

Autism in adulthood·2026
Same journal

Autism Terminology Preferences Among Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults in North America.

Autism in adulthood·2026
Same journal

Camouflage, Burnout-Exhaustion, and Depression in Autistic Adults.

Autism in adulthood·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
09:13

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Published on: April 22, 2015

Access Points: Understanding Special Interests Through Autistic Narratives.

Rebecca-Eli M Long1

  • 1Department of Anthropology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

Autism in Adulthood
|March 28, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Autistic adults describe their "special interests" as personally important, aiding connection and communication. Understanding these interests is crucial for societal acceptance and challenging stereotypes.

Keywords:
autistic adultsethnographynarrativesspecial interests

More Related Videos

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research
08:42

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research

Published on: July 31, 2017

Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism
06:15

Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism

Published on: October 3, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
09:13

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Published on: April 22, 2015

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research
08:42

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research

Published on: July 31, 2017

Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism
06:15

Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism

Published on: October 3, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Autism research
  • Neurodiversity studies
  • Qualitative psychology

Background:

  • Autistic interests, often termed "special interests," are frequently pathologized despite their recognized benefits.
  • Existing research often focuses on childhood interests and neuronormative goals, leaving the definition of "special interests" unexplored.
  • This study addresses the gap by investigating the meaning and importance of
  • special interests
  • autistic adults

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore what autistic adults mean by "special interests" through their lived experiences.
  • To understand how autistic adults articulate the significance of their interests.
  • To challenge the pathologization and underestimation of autistic interests.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative analysis of interviews with 15 autistic adult advocates in the United States.
  • Critical analysis of interview transcripts using iterative inductive-deductive coding.
  • Examination of narrative strategies, conceptualizations, and the importance of special interests.

Main Results:

  • Autistic adults utilize narrative strategies (time spent, experience, comparisons) to explain their interests.
  • Interests are personally significant, facilitating communication and social connection.
  • Participants emphasized the need for societal understanding and acceptance of autistic interests.

Conclusions:

  • "Special interests" hold diverse meanings for autistic individuals but are consistently viewed as important and deserving of societal support.
  • Findings challenge stereotypes of autistic people as disconnected, highlighting the social and individual importance of their interests.
  • This research underscores the need for a societal shift towards valuing and supporting autistic interests.