As far as my experiences with living on the autism spectrum and the special interests that come along with being autistic, my first special interest developed as a youth, around the age of six. Special interests in the autism spectrum entail that certain autistic people develop an interest and hobby in one or two areas and become so intensely focused on those hobbies that certain autistic people will dominate social conversations about their hyper-focused interests.

While the neurotypical population may have an interest or hobby that they like and talk about a lot, the difference is that the neurotypical population has enough self-awareness to reciprocate other people's interests, while with the autistic community, autistic people will completely revolve the conversation around their special interests and not reciprocate about other people's interests unless they are prompted to by others.

I am an autistic man who developed the self-awareness to learn how to reciprocate other people's interests, so that is less of a social barrier than in my youth, where I would not consider reciprocating and would dominate conversations about my hobbies.

I fell into that category when my special interest in the Pokemon franchise began as a six-year-old when I collected the Pokemon training cards, followed by the Pokemon movies, TV series, and video games.

I recall going to the local movie theater with my mother around that time to see the "Pokemon 2000" film, where the autistic self-stimulating motor movement of my legs shaking had to be regulated to avoid a commotion in the movie theater.

My favorite Pokemon characters were the Pokemon, Pikachu, and the human cartoon who carried Pikachu, Ash. I found the premise of Pokemon to be interesting and engaging at that time, the creatures with supernatural powers who used those powers in combat with each other. I am impressed that the Pokemon franchise has evolved all of these years later and I look back at my special interest in Pokemon fondly.

After I grew out of Pokemon, by the age of nine, my special interest transitioned into the hobby that I have retained since the age of nine and I intend on continuing that special interest for the rest of my life. That special interest is the professional wrestling industry, and that interest of mine has a very intriguing story to it.

I watched a movie called, "Teen Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain," which happened to feature a professional wrestling star from years ago named Hulk Hogan. My mother mentioned to me that Hulk Hogan was a professional wrestler, and my father had a professional wrestling event from the professional wrestling company, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), called WrestleMania V (5), recorded in the 1980s from an HBO airing on a video cassette tape.

I watched WrestleMania V on that video cassette, which featured the WWE's top stars of the time, and from there, I became interested in professional wrestling. I was flipping through channels one night and caught WWE's Monday night wrestling program, called RAW, and that date was August 4, 2003, two months before my tenth birthday.

I watched that episode of WWE RAW and began watching more regularly from there. My interest in wrestling progressed to watching the WWE programs very often, daily, and I then started collecting the wrestling action figures, along with a play wrestling ring, and would often irritate my family at home by banging the figures in that ring loudly.

The WWE presents monthly pay-per-view programs that feature certain wrestlers in high-profile match scenarios, some of those matches are more intense and some are just about a good athletic match, and before 2006, I could not watch those pay-per-views due to my household TV not having pay-per-view capabilities.

By 2006, my family had digital cable and pay-per-view, so my first WWE pay-per-view, which was recorded to watch since I had school the next morning, was WrestleMania 22.

WrestleMania 22 featured my favorite wrestler at the time, John Cena, in a WWE Championship defense in the featured match, the last match of WrestleMania 22, and Cena kept that championship in a scenario where Cena was heavily disliked by the fans and booed relentlessly throughout that match.

Ironically, Cena was meant to be the heroic wrestler against his rival at the time, a wrestler named Triple H, who was meant to be the villain. The WWE fans booed the hero and cheered the villain in that match, a highly unusual dynamic in professional wrestling at the time.

From then on, my wrestling fandom progressed even more, to getting the WWE merchandise, including the wrestler's T-shirts and similar apparel, and using the Internet to understand how professional wrestling works.

Professional wrestling often gets scrutiny and the fans get chastised for enjoying WWE due to the perception that the wrestling industry is based on the wrestling being "fake." People who do not watch wrestling with the passion that myself and other fans do, people I have interacted with socially, have questioned why I enjoy that "fake wrestling" so much. 

People who do not watch or follow WWE, but know the fact that the matches are choreographed and the outcomes are predetermined, meaning that the wrestlers are told they are winning or losing before their matches occur in front of fans, believe that wrestling is "fake" due to how that aspect of how wrestling operates.

As a WWE fan, I take exception to the stigma of the wrestlers I enjoy so much engaging in "fake wrestling" for the fans' entertainment, because the WWE wrestlers, and the other wrestlers in the wrestling industry, put their bodies through intense physical pain to entertain the fans.

Just because the truth of the predetermined outcomes is a fact, it does not mean that the wrestlers should have a reputation for their chosen jobs being "fake" and therefore, not worth watching.

The wrestling that WWE presents is painful to watch sometimes, and very difficult for the wrestlers to execute safely. Injuries happen a lot, and the wrestlers put a lot of effort into developing their skills for their matches and cooperating with their fellow wrestlers to ensure that the injuries are kept to a minimum.

I cannot count on ten fingers how often I was teased as a school student for enjoying professional wrestling, both because I had a hyper-focus on it due to being autistic, and for the general stigma of professional wrestling being "fake" in certain opinions.

I persisted as a fan of professional wrestling, and I am glad I did because as I aged, more people began respecting my fandom and I was able to enjoy social conversations about WWE.

I now enjoy WWE as a fan who understands very fully how wrestling works, and I enjoy it as much as if not more than when I started watching wrestling many years ago. I follow multiple wrestling companies simultaneously, and I will enjoy wrestling as a hobby for as long as wrestling is an active medium for entertainment.

Granted, I have been heavily encouraged to broaden my horizons to more hobbies for more social opportunities, since the neurotypical population may find conversing with me to be tiring if I overly elaborate about WWE more than the other person wants to talk about WWE.

However, I have more hobbies now. I have progressed in my reciprocal conversation skills to recognize when to discuss wrestling, minimize that habit, and ask my conversational partner about their hobbies. I have been praised by my family and people who know me personally for my growth in that habit, because for a while, my mother would have to interject in my prolonged wrestling chatter to say, "I don't want to talk about wrestling anymore, Mike."

I am more aware now of how to navigate conversations these days in the aspect of toning down the wrestling chatter to mainly other WWE fans, while certain people I know engage me in my wrestling chatter even when those people are not big fans themselves because they understand my passion for wrestling.

Between Pokemon and WWE, those two special interests have been at the core of my hobbies throughout my life, and in certain instances, WWE has been both an effective diversion on my challenging days and periods, as well as a cathartic hobby to enjoy and release some stimulation on my animated days.

As far as my special interest in Pokemon is concerned, I recall having a large book of Pokemon cards that I collected and organized in the book so that when I watched the Pokemon programs, I could be as immersed in the program with my book of cards as possible.

I am proud of my WWE fandom and grateful for it because, as a teenager in school, wrestling provided a good distraction from the challenges I had to deal with a lot. While I was mocked for my fandom, I stuck with it because I knew the truth about wrestling, and because it was a confidence booster for the struggles I navigated each day for a long time, in school and in general.

Overall, my special interests have been received with both understanding and much criticism due to a lack of understanding in some situations, and the encouragement to find new hobbies. Nonetheless, I stick to my wrestling because there are a lot of days when a WWE match is helpful for decompression and gives me some mental relief from stress, anxiety, and overall autistic life challenges. I love my special interests because I like myself for who I am.

If a person, namely a neurotypical, wanted to engage in a conversation but is not into professional wrestling as much as I am, a good way to connect is to understand that while WWE is my passionate hobby, I have other interests that I can discuss (e.g. sitcoms, the paranormal, certain documentaries about people in entertainment). 

People often think that all I want to discuss is wrestling, because that is the first thing I bring up; however, upon talking to me in a more lengthy manner, people will realize that my conversation can expand into more than just my special interest.

If a neurotypical is interacting with an autistic person, and the autistic person's special interest is overly discussed, a kind way to modify that habit is for the neurotypical to simply say, as I was told, "I understand that you like your hobby a lot, and I enjoy talking to you, you seem like an awesome person to talk to, but I would appreciate it if we could change the subject now please."

That is all that is needed to make the autistic person aware of that habit, and while I had that same sentence said to me more harshly, depending on the person, there is a kind way to let the autistic person know that without making the autistic person feel bad or inadequate to interact with.

It is all about the golden social rule: be nice, and try not to be too critical of the autistic community for that habit because it is not the autistic person's intention to sound that self-centered, that is how autistic people are naturally inclined to talk due to being on the autism spectrum.

If the habit of special interests in conversation is addressed and modified in a kind and constructive way, I guarantee that many autistic people will be receptive and learn from that, from personal experience.

Introduction

One of the major aspects of living on the autism spectrum is that autistic people become intensely hyper-fixated on one or two hobbies or interests, which are referred to in clinical terms as specialized areas of interest or restricted interests.

These restricted interests become such an intense focus for individuals on the autism spectrum that autistic people often dominate most conversations with others on their hyper-fixated interests, which is interpreted as either self-focused or self-centered and thereby unappealing in social situations.

To gauge understanding and knowledge of the special interests of the autism community, I developed a survey consisting of six, multiple-choice questions about the special interests. I shared it with a combination of people I know and others who saw my survey when I shared it.

Upon receiving 26 responses, an acceptable sample size of responses was reached to transition into the investigation of the data. (Click here to see a summary of the results here.)

Question 1

​The first of six questions within my survey asked, "When a person with autism is talking to you and talks a lot about their special interests, how would you feel about the person with autism not asking about your interests?" 

My multiple-choice answers to that first question were:

• Understanding of why the person with autism is not asking about your interests.
• Turned off by the person with autism not asking about your interests.
• Supportive of the person with autism and willing to teach them to ask about your interests.

Responses to Question 1

Of those three responses, the majority of the responses went with 53.8% (14 respondents), and leaned toward the response of being understanding of why the autistic person is not asking about your interests. The other 46.2% (12 respondents), of responses leaned toward being supportive of the autistic person and willing to teach them to ask about your interests. There were no responses to that first question that indicated a turn-off toward talking to individuals on the autism spectrum due to their special interest dominating the conversation.

Personal Insights on Question 1 Responses

That is telling that people understand the special interests of the autism community, and there is also an understanding that people with autism can be taught social skills regarding a two-way conversation.

With those responses to that first question in mind, it is encouraging for autism awareness purposes that the special interests and how autistic people hyper-fixate on those special interests do not need to be too detrimental in every social conversation. I find it heartwarming to see those responses because I have special interests, and anyone who knows me is well-aware of my conversations about those interests.

Question 2

The second question within my survey asked, "As a person talking to someone with autism, would the person with autism appearing not interested in a back-and-forth conversation be looked at as a turn-off to talking to the person with autism?"

My multiple-choice answers to that second question were:

• Yes, because a conversation is meant to be back-and-forth.
• No, because it is understood that the autism community needs patience and time to learn.
• Potentially, because those skills can be taught and the person with autism may not show it.

Responses to Question 2

The majority of responses, which were 76.9% (20 respondents), leaned toward no, because it is understood that the autism community needs patience and time to learn. The second-most responses, which were 21.3% (6 respondents), leaned toward potentially, because those skills can be taught and the person with autism may not show it when they have training to show it. 

The third response to this second question, that yes, the lack of a two-way conversation is a total turn-off, did not receive any respondents.

Personal Insights on Question 2 Responses

The lack of any responses to that third question is promising for understanding and for the autistic community's future social opportunities. I found it endearing to see that many people understand the time and effort that autistic people need to learn conversation skills because that skill is mainly their most challenging social communication barrier. On the other hand, I understand that certain autistic people may not present their developing communication skills when others know that skill is there.

I fall into the category of an autistic person who learned that social skill of two-way conversations throughout my childhood, and for a while, I applied that skill on a selective basis, which was received with both criticism and understanding. What I learned from that habit was that even if you bring up being autistic to friends or anyone, others will expect people on the autism spectrum to show interest if there is a known ability to do so, even if that skill is not as natural to autistic people.

I disagree with the notion that autistic people need to show that skill if they know how to from training and practice since it is so unnatural for autistic people to learn it, so to criticize the autistic people for not showing it when they can is unreasonable.

I think that the autistic community, due to how living with autism impacts that two-way conversation skill, has the right to engage in and discuss their special interests as much as they want to. While the social skill of having a two-way conversation is important for social relationships, which I understand; however, why fault the autism community for not showing a skill when it is not natural for them in many instances?

If a friend is genuinely supportive, that friend would be understanding of that habit and allow the autistic person to be overly elaborate about their special interests, two-way conversation or not. While that conversation would not be precisely a two-way street, that is the autism causing that habit, so giving autistic people a pass for that in social interactions is appropriate.

Question 3

The third question within my survey asked, "If the person with autism appeared not interested in a back-and-forth conversation, would you be more or less happy to talk to them if they have a kind and funny personality?"

The multiple-choice answers to this third question were:

• Yes, because a kind and funny personality is fun to be around even with social challenges.
• No, because you need conversation skills to go with a kind and funny personality.
• Potentially, it depends on the person with autism and their motivation to learn the skill.

Responses to Question 3

The majority of responses, which were 84.6% (22 respondents), leaned toward yes, because a kind and funny personality is fun even with social challenges. The other responses, the second-most with 11.5% (3 respondents) were that it depends on the autistic person's motivation to learn that social skill, and just one response went to no, that you need conversation skills with a kind and funny personality.

Personal Insights on Question 3 Responses

The varied insights to this question are mostly endearing, that an autistic person would be embraced in social situations provided they are kind and funny. I understand and respect the opinions of those who believe that a person either needs conversation skills or the motivation to learn those skills needs to be part of that equation.

It is helpful to know that these concepts are mostly understood, and while a lot of social opportunities are predicated on how much autistic people can learn that skill, it is nice knowing that some people are open to talking to autistic people knowing of the existing challenges.

Question 4

The fourth question within my survey asked, "Since the special interests for people with autism can be very limited to one or two interests, if they do not show an interest in other hobbies and interests, will that lessen their social friendships even if the person with autism has a kind and funny personality?"

The multiple-choice answers to this fourth question were:

• Yes, because even with a kind and funny personality, people talk about similar interests.
• No, because an understanding friend would be accepting of the special interests.
• Potentially, it depends on the person with autism's humor and interest in other hobbies.

Question 4 Responses

The responses to this question were very varied, the highest response, which was 61.5% (16 respondents) leaned toward no, that an understanding friend would be accepting of the special interests. The second-most, which was 21.1% (6 respondents) leaned toward potentially, that it depends on the autistic person's humor and interest in other hobbies. The third-most, with the least responses of 15.4% (4 respondents), leaned toward yes, that even if a person is kind and funny, people talk about similar interests.

Personal Insights on Question 4 Responses

I find the majority of the responses to this question to be endearing because an understanding and accepting friend embracing the special interests aligns with accepting a person with autism as they are.

The other responses are understandable since it is a common social practice to bond over similar interests, and a kind and funny personality is more pleasant. As a person on the autism spectrum, I prefer to be as accepting  as possible over the special interests, since that is a core aspect of living with autism. Others would prefer more similarities in hobbies than just one or two hobbies to talk about, so both perspectives are respectable.

Question 5

The fifth question within my survey asked, "If the person with autism gets better at learning back-and-forth conversations skills and tries to find another hobby or interest, would someone try and be friends and talk to them if they have a kind and funny personality?"

The multiple-choice answers to this question were:

• Yes, because the person with autism would be more relatable with more hobbies.
• No, because it depends on how kind and funny the person with autism is.
• Potentially, it depends on which hobbies the person with autism is into.

Question 5 Responses

The majority of responses, which were 69.2% (18 respondents), leaned toward yes, that the autistic person would be more relatable with more hobbies. The second-most responses, which were 19.2% (5 respondents), leaned toward potentially, it depends on the hobby the autistic person is into, and the third-most responses, which were 11.5% (3 respondents) leaned toward no, because it depends on how kind and funny the person with autism is. 

Personal Insights on Question 5 Responses

All of these responses are understandable, with many thinking that an autistic person can broaden their horizons to find new hobbies, special interests and all. I understand how important that the more variety of hobbies, the more friends can be made, so I have tried that myself, to a mixed outcome so far.

Question 6

The sixth question within my survey asked, "Are the special interests within the autism spectrum a disadvantage in social friendships?"

The multiple-choice answers to that question were:

• Yes, because in general, the more hobbies a person has, the more friends a person can find.
• No, because people with autism can find friends with similar special interests.
• Potentially, because certain people are more understanding about the special interests.

Question 6 Responses

The majority of responses, which were 50% (13 respondents), leaned toward potentially, since certain people are more understanding of the special interests. The second-most responses, which were 46.2% (12 respondents), leaned toward no, that autistic people can find friends with similar special interests, and the third-most responses with one leaned toward yes, that the more hobbies you find, you will find more friends.

Personal Insights on Question 6 Responses

As an autistic man, I appreciate that certain people are more understanding of special interests, even if the autistic person appears very self-focused in a conversation, I also appreciate that autistic people can bond over their special interests. I respect the opinion that more hobbies equates to more friends, so in the event that an autistic person finds a new hobby, that could lead somewhere for finding a new friend.

Conclusion

Developing this survey was an effective method to gauge understanding of the special interests of the autism spectrum community. I greatly appreciate the time that the 26 respondents gave to my survey. I hope that, with more understanding and social exposure, more people with autism will find more social relationships with understanding friends, special interests and other interests to enrich their social lives and improve autism awareness in the future.
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