Knocking Down the Stigma to Autism Obsession

People with autism often (but not always) tend to display an autism obsession, or autism hyperfocus, about a specific topic or item near and dear to them.

Sometimes, autism and obsessive compulsive disorder tendencies begin in early childhood and continue throughout a person’s life. More often, however, the hyperfocus will adapt and change with maturity, meaning people change what they are obsessed about throughout their lives.

Autism obsession is a type of behavior often seen in those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and it can be hard to understand. In fact, it may not even seem like an obsession to the person who is doing it.

Autism obsession is a type of behavior that appears to be intentional. This behavior is often seen in those on the spectrum but it can also be seen in other disorders.

Autism and obsessions are often found in those who have co-occurring conditions and are diagnosed with both autism and obsessive compulsive disorder. More common behaviors are often fidgety, repetitive movements and behaviors that are motivated by a need to calm, organize, or direct unwanted emotions.

Autism obsessions can be items, rituals or words. They may even be a response to something that has happened and is not connected to anything else.

Often, fixations are an autism hyperfocus on a particular subject that essentially consumes the person in learning more about it, or playing with it, watching, etc.

In the TV Show Big Bang Theory, the character Sheldon Cooper was self-proclaimed as being obsessed with trains. He was also focused on flags, and the list continues.

While he was a  media stereotype for sure, his obsessions seem largely accurate. I too am hyper focused on different things, two in particular.

Space has fascinated me since I was a child, and as an adult I have more than a bit of an autism obsession over artificial intelligence.

LEARN MORE:  Autism and AI: 7 discoveries about the surprise pairing and profound impact.

Luckily for me, both topics fill the news feeds and shows on a daily basis and reading about all the updates and changing technology associated with these developments satisfy my curiosity to know more on both topics.

I enjoy reading and learning about AI applications and how they can change the world as we know it today, and of course about the new rockets and exhibitions planned for the future.

The Benefits of Embracing Autism and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Parents and friends or family of people with autism often hear a lot about people with autism’s obsessive tendencies, and some autistics might become fixated on areas like technology, music, or writing.

This can actually be a tremendous advantage when they grow up and find a career because it allows them to become the best at a particular thing, like just Mozart, Einstein, and Da Vinci (all who were suspected to have a form of autism).

LEARN MORE: Creativity explained and how neurodiversity can fuel the arts. 

In many cases, maturity and  training  on how to effectively manage an autism obsession allows adults to be successful in the workplace or socially. 

With children, many autistics tend to become obsessed with that one thing and never stop talking about it.

That autism hyperfocus might be fascinating or it can become tiresome for others to listen to after a certain point and cause challenges in developing and maintaining friendships. Luckily, there are ways to manage and master social awkwardness when you have autism. 

How to Support A Loved One with Autism Obsessions and Interests

 Autism obsession or autism hyperfocus isn’t a bad thing, as long as the person also participates in other things or enjoys company/family beyond just this one thing.

Having a hyperfocus can actually be a positive with personal development and happiness. I say that because it brings joy to a person with autism to be continuously learning or at least viewing or experiencing the subject of fascination. It can also lessen anxiety.

Sometimes a child on the spectrum develops an autism obsession that doesn’t seem to connect to anything they have seen or done; other times it develops because it is something in their life and something relatable.

Helping a person with autism to find their passion is something that can build interests and connectivity.

Note that if I say “autism obsession” or “autism hyperfocus” some people may associate that as a negative autism behavior or a stigma.  However, if I say “autism passion” it tends to be more positively received. 

Truly, they are the same (at least from a layman’s point of view) but are just different ways of saying it. An obsession or passion can be a positive unless it totally ends up ruling their entire existence.

In that case, it has gone from a positive mental health attribute to one that may require therapy or assistance in being able to effectively manage.

So, if someone with autism doesn’t seem to have particular joy or passion, help them find their obsession that builds positive mental health and self-esteem. 

5 Tips For Encouraging Healthy Autism Obsessions:

1. If you are helping an individual with autism (child or adult) to find and develop a strong interest or hobby, start by simply observing what they like to do.

   That seems obvious, but by learning what they like to play, watch, determining if they have any heroes or idols, seeing what kind of people they admire can help to develop a positive outlook and interest with something.

   Remember these passions can go on to help the person later to determine what they may want to do as a career, hobby, or enjoyment in life.

2. You can also create new opportunities for exploration, by putting your child, or yourself if an adult, “out there” socially.

   While you never want to force anything, encouraging the trying of new things and experiences can help a person with autism to find the “thing” that makes him/her truly happy and fulfilled.

   Maybe your child just innately knows what he/she likes and wants to do in life, and in that case, great!

   If so, you can encourage their following of a dream as long as there is some reality or realm of possibility behind it.

   In some cases, you as a parent don’t need to do anything, but if they’re still trying to figure out life, then bringing them out in the world to try new things can be great.

   If you are an adult with autism, finding those opportunities can be more of a challenge. I’m still working on “getting out there” myself, because it seems like a lot of social options end once you are through with schooling.

   (If you have ideas, I hope you’ll contact me at [email protected] and let me know!)

3. Individuals with autism (children and adults alike) may be too shy to go out in the world. If that’s  the case, you need to give them help, and at least a nudge, in the right direction.

   They also may need some help with social situations, as a lot of autistic individuals of all ages have difficulty with social skills and communication.

4. If you are a parent, you can help by working with your child’s teachers and therapists to identify areas with support opportunities.

   If you are the one with autism or friend or loved one of an adult with autism, look for fulfillment at church, through volunteerism, or by attending focus classes like cooking or fitness.

5. Finding an autism obsession can be a long process. Or it can be immediate. Most likely, the timeline will fall somewhere in between.

   The key is to be patient, and allow interests to develop at a natural pace, because forcing them to go faster or slower won’t help.

   Be sure to provide exposures to opportunities to allow someone to figure out their interests for themselves so they build successful careers, hobbies, and interests in the future.

Help Build Healthy Autism Obsessions

Healthy autism obsessions can be critical for building your child’s self-esteem and confidence, which will always be very important in every aspect of their lives.  

Helping a person to find their obsession and even life’s purpose can be very rewarding. 

Hopefully, they will be so excited doing what they love as kids and when they grow up, they will thank you and love you so much for helping them discover their life’s purpose.

Also, this advice isn’t exclusive to individuals with autism, as it can  be very helpful for kids in general.

So if you have another child who is neurotypical you can do the same thing for them, and maybe they will find their obsession too.  

Maybe they can grow up with each other and supporting each other’s interests and bond over them.

But autism obsession can also create unhealthy behaviors or actions. Here’s more about that.

The Good, Bad and Ugly: The Link Between Autism and Obsessive Behaviors

When individuals with autism develop too strong of a focus or fixation on a particular topic, object, or activity, it can become all-consuming and may dominate their thoughts and behaviors. 

That’s when autism and obsessive compulsive disorder can become a negative behavior or keep an individual from experiencing life in a more general way. In that case, it is something that may require some intervention to help provide balance.

The reason for this connection between autism and obsession is not yet clear, but some theories think it’s related to differences in brain functioning.

What’s that mean, exactly? One theory is that individuals with autism seem to commonly have a heightened sensitivity to certain stimuli, which leads them to become fixated on specific objects or topics.

Another theory suggests that the repetitive behaviors and restricted interests associated with autism serve as a way to cope with sensory overload or anxiety.

Whatever the cause, it’s important to recognize that these intense interests can be both positive and negative for individuals with autism.

So while an obsession with a particular subject can lead to very impressive knowledge and skills in that area, it can also interfere with or serve as a barrier to social interactions and other aspects of daily life.

The key is to find ways to support and encourage healthy obsessions while also teaching coping strategies for when life becomes overwhelming.

Additional Misconceptions That Lead To Autism Stigmas and Stereotypes

Learn more about other stigmas and stereotypes that autistics face:

• Why Labeling People Can Lead to Stereotyping and Discrimination
• Autism Media Stereotypes:  We’re Not All Geniuses, Savants, or Lonely
• Beyond Stereotypes:  How Rain Man Revolutionized the Perception of Autism
• Absurd Plot About Autism and Evolution and Why It’s Harmful
• Moving Past the Tired Conspiracy Theory of Vaccines and Autism
• Discover the Powerful Bond Between Autism and Pets
• 3 Reasons Why Pathologizing Crushes Autism Acceptance and Inclusion
• The Hidden Hurdles:  Challenging Autism Stigmas in Today’s Politics
• History of Autism:  Revealing Shocking Mysteries from the Past