why do aspies have special interests?

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why do aspies (and auties?) have special interests? (Like right now, mine is fish. )
is it because we like structured subjects?
also, if we didn't have special interests, do you think introverted aspies would be more extroverted? (at least to some degree)

Everyone has interests regardless of neurology, only with us the interests aren't usually the shiny flashy things NTs go for. A couple of my interests keep me in contact with people so those work toward making me less introverted. I think the fish is a common stage of passing interests for the spectrum, I was engrossed with that one in my mid-teens

OP, I think it comes down to focus and (often) a dislike for change (so thereby keeping on studying ( or practicing in ) a field beyond what an NT typically would)
In answer to your second question, I see no reason why lack of special interests would make introverted aspies more extroverted. Please describe why you think it might be the case?

To be pedantic, I suspect we don't have interest spectrum diff from NTs, it's just that our over-powered focus and attn to detail makes it our interests billboard obvious. Plus some other ASD things.


For me, I isolate even more, the special interest draws me out, probably for a brain break, or maybe because I temporarily forget the scary stuff.

I think it's sort of a process; there is a natural live for learning, but in order for it to be "useful" it needs to eventually get focused. The more you learn about something, the more interesting it gets, until it stops being interesting or something more interesting is found. I don't really know what I am saying.

NT's have special interests too, at least to some extent. Listen to a sports fanatics after an event. Or a person who goes on and on about food. They are only more distracted by emotions and thus less focused on the facts, at least that's my theory. Their special interests are incorporated into a broader context. Where i would notice plain facts or a particular structure or pattern, they might add a mood, other people, communication, or the comprehensive situation.

No, i wouldn't be extroverted, i'd most likely develop really weird behaviors instead and it would lower my quality of life drastically.

I think in some cases it might make a introverted person more social (but not extroverted, cuz the need to 'recharge your batteries' so to say, would still be there) because I there's this aspie in my class and when ever there's a party or event he doesn't go because he would rather study his interest (cars) but of course, he could be lying cuz he doesn't like the crowd. (with is sometimes the case for me) but yah, I was just wondering

He wouldn't be very convincing if he was lying

There's something disarmingly brilliant about the above.

Part of the "interest" arises from the isolation which feeds the cycle. It's often not the job, it's more intense than a hobby. My 2nd marriage probably died due to my special interest(s) and I was unable to reinvent myself out of it. It's almost like my special interest just had to get rid of the marriage. I don't really know what I'm saying but I feel close to the truth.

So in a way an interest is like cocaine or heroin - driving away directives to eat, sleep and be a loyal plastic robot for a world that doesn't care. But seeing it put in that format reminds me an awful lot of a Stephen King baddie

I wouldn't be more extroverted id probably go insane... More than usual. For me my special interests let me focus and are sometimes helpful as they are a constant in my life so a form of stability maybe?

I think maybe special interests kind of replace or compensate for the social lack in my life. I have difficulty in socializing with other people and have no friends, but I have my special interests. I wouldn't switch my special interests for a social life ever.

I wonder why different aspies develop the special interests they do. Like why have I developed an interest in cats, environmentalism, and royalty, for example. Other people develop interest in other things. What exactly makes me interested in what I am, and other people in what they are?

My special interest is anime I watch it constantly 24/7 and can't stop all so very deep intimacy is my all time favorite interest but i don't even talk to girls i can't stop that .

*nod*

I don't have any special interests at the moment.
I feel, like a fully fueled race car up on blocks; squashed throttle floored; blurring tires biting emptiness; frame twisting torque; over-revving engine screaming.
I need traction. I must have traction.
I need a load. A heavy load. Or several loads, just to keep the black twisting rubber glued to the twin lines of melting tarmac.
I need to feel the blast of my hood slamming the mundane, mediocre, confining air of this Wrong Planet I'm helplessly marooned upon.
To incandescently perforate the fictionalized confines cobbled by the self-deluded and desecrate their absurd mantra of "Impossible".


Until they thoroughly and utterly say, "Oh. . ."
. . . "How 'bout them bears!"

I think it's more of the compulsion with Aspies.

Every person has interests, some more into their interests than others.

But, an Aspie might feel the need to organize their vintage stamp collection at 3 a.m. You just *have* to. An NT could wait until a normal hour.

Or, as an Aspie kid, wake up early and the first thing they do is build a city out of wooden blocks... unable to do anything else until the interest is taken care of.

When I was 14, my special interest was Bigfoot