The Blog
Creating a Life Around Your Special Interests
Special interests are a fundamental part of how many neurodivergent people engage with the world, providing joy, structure, and a sense of purpose. Rather than suppressing these passions to fit societal expectations, we can create fulfilling lives by integrating them into our careers, social connections, and daily routines. Embracing special interests without guilt or pressure to monetize them allows us to build meaningful experiences that align with our natural ways of thinking, learning, and expressing ourselves.
The Joy of Info-Dumping: Why Sharing Our Passions Should Be Celebrated
Info-dumping is a joyful and meaningful way for neurodivergent people to share their passions, but it is often misunderstood as excessive or socially inappropriate. Rather than being a flaw, info-dumping is a valid form of communication that allows for deep connection, self-expression, and the exchange of valuable knowledge. Embracing and normalizing info-dumping can help create more inclusive spaces where neurodivergent individuals feel heard, respected, and free to engage with the world in a way that feels natural to them.
Special Interests’—It’s Deep Knowledge and Expertise
The term "special interest" is an infantilizing way of describing the deep knowledge and expertise that autistic people develop in their areas of passion, reinforcing the false idea that their intellectual pursuits are excessive or abnormal. While neurotypical individuals with strong interests are seen as experts, autistic people are often dismissed as quirky or obsessive, leading to societal devaluation of their intelligence and contributions. By recognizing autistic passion as expertise rather than a symptom, we can create a world that values autistic thinkers, innovators, and professionals for the strengths they bring.
Neurodivergent Joy is Resistance: Finding Happiness in a World That Others Us
Finding joy as a neurodivergent person is a radical act of resistance against a world that tries to suppress our authentic selves. Embracing our special interests, sensory experiences, and community allows us to reclaim happiness on our own terms, free from societal expectations of productivity and conformity. By prioritizing joy, rest, and self-acceptance, we assert our right to exist fully and unapologetically, creating a more affirming and inclusive future for ourselves and others.
How to Reconnect with Lost Special Interests
Reconnecting with lost special interests is a deeply personal and healing process for neurodivergent individuals who have set aside their passions due to burnout, external pressure, or the demands of adulthood. This article explores ways to gently reintroduce curiosity and creativity into daily life, emphasizing self-compassion, exploration without expectation, and reclaiming joy for its own sake. By removing the pressure to be productive or "good" at an interest, neurodivergent people can rediscover the fulfillment and comfort that special interests provide, allowing them to reconnect with a part of themselves that may have felt lost.
How Special Interests Shape Identity in Neurodivergent Adults
Special interests play a profound role in shaping identity, providing comfort, and fostering connection for neurodivergent adults, offering a deep sense of joy and stability in a world that often feels overwhelming. These passions serve as a form of self-care, a pathway to career fulfillment, and a means of building community, yet societal stigma often discourages neurodivergent individuals from embracing them fully. Recognizing special interests as a vital part of neurodivergent identity allows for greater self-acceptance, validating their importance as more than just hobbies but as essential aspects of well-being and self-expression.