The Autism Spectrum: Special Interests Knowledge Survey

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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