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Children with autism tend to fixate on areas that interest them. Often, they have a special interest — a topic that fascinates them and in which they have a lot of knowledge. Whether it’s trains, astronomy, or favorite movies, they’ll research, explore, and talk about their special interests with an unusually high level of focus. Sometimes, their fixation can become an obsession (or hyperfixation).
But obsessions and special interests are not the same thing. What’s the difference? And why does it matter?
Autism and fixations
To understand if a fixation is an obsession or a healthy special interest, look at how it affects the child and their functioning. A child can get lost in their special interest, but an obsession will completely take them over.
A child will develop an interest in one area and will learn all they can about it and possibly talk about it to anyone who will listen. That’s normal for a child with autism, and you can support them in their interest. A special interest gives them expertise in one area and can be used to encourage them to engage with others in that field or to learn related areas. For example, a child who’s into airplanes can be encouraged to discuss airplanes with other kids or to learn about physics or the history of flight.
An obsession is an unhealthy interest. Obsessions are typically all-consuming and don’t usually have positive outcomes. When a child is obsessed, they will not be able to pull themselves away to eat, take care of themselves, or do anything else. These excessive fascinations can also be referred to as “hyperfixations” or “perseveration.”
| Obsessions | Special interests | |
| Effect on daily life | Can distract child from tasks and preventing them from being able to focus on anything else | Usually does not affect routines, relationships, or daily living tasks; serves as outlet or hobby |
| Engagement control | Child cannot turn their interest on or off at will and cannot pull away if necessary | Child can engage at will, and choose to focus or to move attention away |
| Effect on regulation | May cause tension or anxiety | Is often calming and regulating |
| Roots | Can start with a special interest and evolve into something more | Starts with curiosity about the subject |
How to approach special interests in children with autism
If your child shows special interests, don’t discourage them. Instead, find healthy opportunities that intersect with their special interests. If the fixation seems to be an obsession that stops them from living their best life, redirect it so they can engage with healthy interests.
Here are 5 ways you can support your child:
- Find learning opportunities.
Use their special interest in math problems or encourage them to explore related fields. If your child loves animals, you can encourage them to learn biology or mention animals in history to interest them in learning.
- Find ways to connect.
Help your child gain positive social interactions through their fixation. Find them games related to their interests or bring them to a group where they can talk to others with the same interests.
- Use it to help them finish tasks.
If your child loves outer space and hates brushing their teeth, a toothbrush with stars or planets on it can help. Or you can give them time to read or watch about their special interest after they finish what they need to do.
- Redirect unhealthy interests.
If their fixation is starting to interfere with daily living, encourage a healthier outlet instead. Set boundaries so that their fixation doesn’t take over their life. For example, you might tell them they can spend 1 hour building a model and then it’s time to do something else.
- Seek help from a therapist.
If it seems like your child is obsessed with a topic, professional guidance can help. Reach out to a therapist — whether a CBT, ACT, or ABA therapist — to discuss your concerns and hear if intervention is necessary.
Keep in mind that a special interest can often lead to a future career. As your child gets older, you might want to look into career paths that are related to their interests and encourage them to build related knowledge and skills that will help them in the future.
Can ABA help your child with an obsession?
If your child seems to be obsessed with a subject and you’re having a hard time getting them to complete daily tasks, you might want to look into ABA therapy. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a therapy that helps people build fundamental skills and meet goals. It’s a method that is tested, proven, and built on the science of behavior.
The premise of ABA is based on encouraging positive behaviors or actions and discouraging negative behaviors or actions. This is done through leveraging psychology and the fundamentals of human nature to help people achieve what they want to achieve. It’s science-based and is highly recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychological Association.
Caring ABA therapy can help children with autism manage their interests and fixations in a healthy way. Since it puts a strong emphasis on building positive behaviors and habits, ABA is uniquely suited to help families and children deal with interests that affect their daily lives. Your child’s BCBA (board certified behavior analyst) and RBT (registered behavior technician) can discuss your concerns with you and help you find ways to address them.
To learn more about how ABA therapy can help, reach out. We’re happy to answer your questions and walk you through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a special interest and an obsession in autism?
A special interest is a deep, healthy fascination with a topic that often encourages learning and social engagement. An obsession, or hyperfixation, tends to be all-consuming, interfering with daily routines, self-care, and can cause stress or anxiety.
How can I tell if my child's interest has become an unhealthy obsession?
If the interest prevents your child from eating, sleeping, completing daily tasks, or causes significant distress when interrupted, it may have shifted from a special interest to an unhealthy obsession.
Should I discourage my child's special interests?
No, special interests can be very beneficial for children with autism. They can foster expertise, build social connections, and serve as a calming outlet. The goal is to support the interest while ensuring it doesn’t interfere with daily life.
What are some ways to support a child's special interests?
Encourage learning opportunities related to the interest, use it as a reward to complete tasks, help them connect with peers who share similar interests, and gently redirect if it becomes disruptive to daily routines.
Can ABA therapy help manage obsessions in children with autism?
Yes, ABA therapy can help children develop healthy engagement with their interests by encouraging positive behaviors and reducing behaviors that interfere with daily
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