Autism & special interests | Divergent Voices - hosted by Purple Ella

In this episode of Divergent Voices, Purple Ella speaks to autism writer James Ward-Sinclair and autistic occupational therapist Rosalind Brooks, about the joy autistic people can get from their special interests.
In this episode:
02:23 Gender stereotypes and special interests
08:02 Special interests as a form of wellness
13:07 Finding a new special interest
This video was created by Clinical Partners for the NHS. The series is part of autism unlocked - a dedicated space for autistic people and their families to receive expert advice and guidance on a range of issues.
About Purple Ella:
Ella is a KZbin Content Creator and advocate. You can find their channel here: / purpleella
About James Ward-Sinclair:
James is an autistic writer and blogger at Autistic & Unapologetic, as well as an advocate for the wider autistic community. You can find his blog here:
autisticandunapologetic.com/
About Rosalind Brooks:
Rosalind is an autistic occupational therapist, trainer, and passionate neurodivergent advocate. You can see her profile here:
lsc.autismunlocked.co.uk/auth...
Visit the autism unlocked website:
lsc.autismunlocked.co.uk/
Find out more about Clinical Partners:
www.clinical-partners.co.uk/

[@spiderz8144]

“Autism is a special interest”; me watching videos on autism every day for the last 9 months…

[@rainbowwwkim]

I absolutely think my special interest has saved me in a way. Im interested in psychology, and within that cult psychology, and within that scientology. For nearly a year scientology was all I could think about, listen to, and research. But what was happening in my subconscious was that I was processing the trauma of leaving religion and all of the brainwashing and indoctrination I had been through. My special interest helped me understand my own mind and dig myself out of a really dark place. I didnt want any silence or my mind would go to that dark place, so instead I looked at other peoples experiences to help process my own. I still love learning about cult psychology and brainwashing, and it still helps me deconstruct everything I went through. Psychology in the broader sense also helps me understand my own mind, neurodivergencies, and mental illnesses better.

[@dollieschuster9106]

As a child I was much more comfortable when I was in my zone with leggos, and sketching. It was like an insatiable appetite. As an adult I'm a seamstress and I'm very happy.

[@theGhostSteward]

I like how James interest is on categories and objects while Ros is into people and mind but both are understanding the world.

[@dmgroberts5471]

As an Autistic person, one of my "Special Interests" is Medieval History...which I pursue at a nigh-on-doctorate level. Sure, it's a thing I am interested in for reasons I cannot communicate, and I am _very_ enthusiastic, however, this enjoyment has led me to spend over 15 years researching this subject by reading period sources and academic papers/lectures. Yet, I have no qualifications or degrees, it is all for my personal peace of mind. Essentially, I have done more than a Phd's worth of work and effort, because I enjoyed it. Long before I knew I was Autistic, I had Medieval History. While my interests might be fairly "adult" as far as "Special Interests" go, no one should feel ashamed of what they love. Ideas of what is "adult" or "childish" are constructs invented by Neurotypicals. If you're into Pokemon, be into Pokemon. You are no less valid than me. PS: I couldn't help but note that _any_ eye-contact in the video was fleeting at best, and hell yeah, that's how it should be. Look up, look to the side, look wherever is comfortable. Screw the "eye-contact agenda!"

[@gigahorse1475]

That’s a pretty awesome special interest! I like meeting people with special interests I know nothing about and listening to the coolest facts.

[@dmgroberts5471]

@@gigahorse1475 Thank you! Cool facts? I think these facts are pretty cool: Wattle-and-daub, or timber-framed, houses could be disassembled and moved to a new location. They'd knock out all the plastered panels, then take down the frame, which was held together by simple joints and wooden pegs. No nails were used. Medieval churches were brightly lit and painted on the inside with biblical scenes in vivid colours. Common people didn't wear drab, colourless clothing, they dyed their fabrics with locally found plants. People brushed their teeth with mallow root, which splits apart in a way that's similar to a modern toothbrush, and a paste made from course salt and herbs, some of which were antibacterial. There is a "Holy Ghost" in Western Christianity, because Medieval people strongly believed that two things from different "realms" could not interact without an intermediary that could cross both realms. Therefore, God the Father and God the Son needed a third entity that was neither Heavenly, nor Earthly, in order to function. For the same reason, they believed that birds could interact with both beasts of the Earth, and the spirits of the Aether, but that beasts and spirits could not perceive each other. This idea is fundamental to the way Medieval people believed the universe worked. Most of the pre-Renaissance scientists were monks, nuns, or priests. Christine de Pizan, an Italian-French court poet, wrote a proto-Feminist work in 1405, called _The Book of the City of Ladies,_ which was an allegorical novel about the nature of women, their virtues, and their contributions to society. The book was very popular and sparked a great deal of debate. Medieval scholars believed that the planets moved in their orbits, because of their love for God.

[@ernestoperez8806]

I am taking a course on medieval philosophy (undergrad in philosophy). some times i get behind on my philosophy work because i'm currently obsessed with medieval history. It's crazy how we've just glossed over a thousand years of human history. I'm currently focusing on the spanish inquisition but i'll go back to the early middle ages right after

[@shelbymunro8941]

In my early teens, my special interest was The Beatles. I bought all of their cassettes and I wanted to learn as much about them as I could. I even wore my hair like The Beatles.

[@IsabelleAuthor]

My parents thought that my obsession with the Legend of Zelda was a phase when I was younger. Boy, they were wrong! 😂 As a story writer, I research the heck out of different subjects to make the story more plausible. This means that I like research if it's interesting to me. I had a hard time researching for school papers because sometimes the subjects were boring to me.

[@16taysia]

This is GREAT, my Special Interest is the Harry Potter series and also I love doing art as well 😊❤ Edit: when I was a kid I LOVED my Barbie and Bratz dolls WELL INTO my teenage years; I still have some of them and I’m not sorry😂

[@gracechristopher3133]

My child has improved full and acting up right with his social skill since taking dr Oyalo herbal remedy. He has no major signs of autism like he was since I got the herbs. Doc herbs work perfectly

[@dmgroberts5471]

Nor should you be sorry. What you're into is what you're into. Autism, "be like that," as I am informed "the kids" say these days.

[@greencarlson4657]

I knit and quilt and I really don't want to do those things as a job. I like to make things and wear them myself or give them away - I don't want my special interest to be my job. At my work, I'm a graphic designer. I love it.

[@helenm1085]

I make my own earrings too, among other things, and people are constantly telling me I could sell them, and they mean it as a compliment but I'm just like... I spend hours and hours enjoying making this but if I had to do it again it'd be boring! There are so many other things I want to make and fix! I don't want to do the same thing again!

[@Catlily5]

I make various things and people tell me that I could sell them but I only usually like making one or a few. I don't want to do the same thing over and over either. I am exploring how the materials work.

[@shellzbeep3691]

I don't have a great memory for information retaining I will go find out info but remembering and relaying that info is difecalult, Im also Dislexic which makes reading difficult but as a adult did teach myself to read and spell better. I love jigsaws have a big collection of them, so I would not all interest are info gathering and just because you don't gather info doesn't mean you don't have autism. I was diagnosed ADHD and Dislexic at 8 and told I was autistic at 14 but didn't seek info about it till my child was diagnosed and know I've been rediagnised. You are right watching KZbin videos like this finding out more about autism is like finding out more about myself and it helps me feel better about being myself. It's frustrating sometimes when I can't remember some tips or why doing what I do helps me but I have started doing things like using fidget cubes in public. I'm comfortable with being myself at home and find if doing something helps me then do it and I try not to worry about what others think although most of the time you can't help but worry about it, I keep it to something small and not highly noticeable like a fidget ring which I love. Things like fidget cubes or rings are great it gets me home so I can deflate.

[@maggiewatte7911]

I have at least three to four. Heaven help the person who asks about any of them. Their eyes glaze over. Collecting vintage sewing machines, quilting, cross stitching, dish collecting, bee keeping.

[@MIOLAZARUS]

That sounds amazing ❤❤❤

[@Eryniell]

i thought about it for such long time what my special interest would be and i think i got distracted by usually or stereotypically autistics having very "themed" special interests, but I think I figured mine out now, it's rather abstract: I love and get energy from tinkering and figuring out things. It doesn't matter if it's about games, puzzles, programming, crafting or planning things etc. and of course some topics, games etc. are more likely to allow me to tinker/figure them out. It has also helped me understanding the world, especially things like social situations, even though I know when people find out how much I analyze them, they usually don't respond well to it :/ I thought it was psychology, sailor moon, creatures/animals and animes, arts etc. but while they stick with me, by themselves they don't provide me with the satisfaction consistently. they are more acting like tools?

[@deannang455]

I never grew up (as the complicit society) would say, and am ok with that. I enjoy a rewarding career in my special interests: accessibility, Israel and Sci-Fi. It gives me joy and motivation and reason for being.

[@cheddarcheesewoah]

This was a very informative and interesting video so thank you so much! I’ve never really thought about how important special interests can be for mental health, so that was an interesting perspective.

[@lakritzeslena]

I'm not diagnosed yet, but since I got my ADHD diagnosis and medication, it got clearer for me that I fit a lot a lot of the criteria. My special interests as a child were musketeers, robin hood, circus (major obsession), clowns. When I got older: psychology, psychopharmacology, various crafts (bra sewing is one of the intense ones), choir, and classical singing are major ones. And since last October I got into excavators and deconstruction/demolishion 😆 (we had a big construction site in front of our house, and it was just glorious, but now they all left and I feel so empty. I think I'll need a excavator model, or will proceed to draw some, and visit other buildings that they tear down.).

[@lakritzeslena]

Forgot rare diseases, me/CFS, chronic fatigue, mcas, Long COVID, Endometriosis. And the neurodivergences.

[@bethanythatsme]

I appreciate this channel so very much, both the sharing in the content & also in the comments. So many times I don't engage online in fear of misunderstanding or flubbing it up, but I'm more comfortable in this space. Thank you 🌊🌲🐿🍄

[@gracechristopher3133]

My child has improved full and acting up right with his social skill since taking dr Oyalo herbal remedy. He has no major signs of autism like he was since I got the herbs. Doc herbs work perfectly

[@KingOskar4]

2:00 yea 😊 I do agree. I was listening to that man trough Headphones🎧 and I got the tone of his voice😊. My two Major special interests are: Strategy Video Games & Scuba Divers! Really😂! At times, wearing even a make-shift diving gear (like a diving mask and a snorkel) makes me feel good... stimming so to speak😅😅... But a lot of people around me are Neurotypical, so they do not understand stimming 😢 which is sad...

[@cherrycordial4180]

Great video, thank you all for sharing your thoughts and opinions. I enjoyed watching you all talk about your special interests. I have to agree with the first sentiment that the term "special interest" feels infantiliizing and I'm reluctant to use it. I assume it was used in the beginning to for autistic boys but as an adult it just doesn't sit right. There was a time where I dropped my strong interest (dinosaurs) because it didn't feel age or gender appropriate anymore but since learning I am autistic I've picked it back up again and the feeling from engaging with it I can only describe as joy...just makes me happy and smile.

[@Laura-yf7kc]

Thanks so much Purple Ella, Ross and James. This was such a useful and interesting topic for me as a late diagnosed autistic looking to understand myself better. Really appreciate your perspectives

[@amandasymon4363]

I cannot get enough of your videos. I am nodding all the way through 👊

[@bf7592]

I think i've learned like 80% of what I know from exploring my interests and making connections and spotting patterns. I've found it a lot more useful than learning how I was expected to learn.

[@rainbowwwkim]

One more thought, I dont like the word "gifted" because usually its just a product of special interest and pursuing your passions. Im not born with superpowers. If neurotypical people spent as many hours on their passions as autistic people do theyd be considered "gifted" too. I just want people to appreciate the years of investment ive put into my talents and not see it as something unattainable for them.

[@ramona1555]

Great panel. Thank you everyone. Well done Ella!

[@ema3852]

My son is almost 5 if he is like you guys mean, going collage, married, ..mot noticeable what else I need

[@reginabuentell0]

Loved this. thank you! Does anybody know where I can see this list of adult special interests please?

[@rainbowwwkim]

I think anything can be :)

[@Catlily5]

Just depends what you are super interested in. It could be anything!

[@nettie7645]

Do you think you can have a few that you regularly cycle through?

[@Catlily5]

Yes, I am autistic and so is my nephew. We both cycle through interests.

[@dragontalesmaxandenriquefan]

This is great thank you for telling me your special interests. My special interests are having imaginary friends who are hispanic autistic baby boys which are mexican autistic baby boys and salvadoran autistic baby boys, PBS Kids Curious George, Dinosaurs, Dinosaur Train season 1, Dragon Tales season 3, small cars, hot wheels Roblox, Sonic the hedgehog, Sonic Boom from Cartoon Network, Sonic X, Trains, PBS Kids Thomas and Friends seasons 13-19 and Victor and Valentino from Cartoon Network. I am very sorry that people do not accept your interests if people did not accept any of my interests I would be very angry 😡

[@Anonymously1648]

Hello Ioved this video. I really wish ppl seem the value in a neurodivergent brian rather than considering it a disorder. It’s a different brain with different challenges I think those challenges are often highlighted because of the world of our worlds systems have been built to cater towards a neurotypical brain. Just look at how bright lights are in school and at workplaces and how full the way it’s designed is and how load and overwhelming cities are today. Hence why I believe a neurotypical brain is still seen as the default. I personally have this theory if like to share that I may interest you. I believe that a neurodivergent Brian is not a disorder at all in fact but becomes one based on the way society is in present times. In a village I’m sure a neurodivergent Brian would thrive, hearing birds chirping, natural sounds are not to loud, with skills and knowledge of things being valued way rather than simply only a degree like today. Like you said in the video you didn’t feel like you had anything to offer the world. I think this video offered me plenty from listening to the three of you talk for just 20 mins I now value legos, and Pokémon, and jewelry making a lot more and see them in a different way. I had no idea Pokémon was acc based off of real animals! The world could learn so much just be listening to neurodivergent voices. And even intentionally hiring teachers with special interests in certain topics. With a passionate teacher kids would be more interested and what to learn rather than someone who would get bored of the topic. In that case I would argue that a neurotypical brain would be “disordered” when they have to do repetitive routine things in one or a couple of specific fields of study.see what I mean I don’t even think we should call a neurotypical brain by that word because by saying typical (even if there is a higher population of it) implies that it is the default. The same why minority ethnicities become treated in spaces with a predominant race. In Islam we believe Allah created his creation in pairs. So parallel opposites. Humans and jiin, make and female, the physical realm and the spiritual realm etc The Quran states: “Glory be to the One Who created all ˹things in˺ pairs-˹be it˺ what the earth produces, their genders, or what they do not know!”(36:36) Sometimes I refrain from talking about my personal special interests because I feel like I’m boring ppl or that they don’t care and it can lead to a sense of deep rejection. From social dynamics, friends, the corporate world etc I don’t know if I’m autistic I believe so. I have a couple of specific special interests and then things that branch from relating to the main ones art,history,religion,phycology etc. it’s almost like the world has made having special interests that don’t fit the neurotypical way of seeing that world as this weird like taboo when it shouldn’t be. Like you feeling pressured to buy the plain Lego set. It leads to me being described as childish often. But I think what they perceive as childishness is simply just personality when it’s allowed to thrive without social pressure and social pro-formative way of being everyday (masking). Hope they may have opened up a new perspective on this as I have by watching your video :) New sub❤️

[@michaw7408]

I can't stop looking at her missing tooth :(