Special Interest

A special interest is a deep, focused passion for a particular topic, object, or activity. It’s most often associated with autistic experiences, but it can show up across many forms of neurodivergence.

Unlike casual hobbies or passing fascinations, special interests often have depth, longevity, and emotional significance.

They might involve:

• Learning everything possible about a subject (like trains, dinosaurs, space, or history)
• Spending long periods exploring or engaging with the topic
• Talking about it in detail (often through info dumping)
• Feeling calm, energised, or safe when immersed in the interest
• Creating art, systems, collections, or routines around it

Special interests aren’t a problem or a sign of obsession — they’re often a source of comfort, pride, and connection. For some, they offer a way to make sense of the world. For others, they’re just fun.

They can also be bridges for learning, creativity, relationships, or careers — especially when respected and supported rather than discouraged.