Autism: Is It An 'Obsession' Or Just A Preferred Interest?

Joel knows a lot about dinosaurs. His parents are told that he must put a stop to this obsession so he can focus on other subjects. Marcy can sing every Joni Mitchell song but speaks only a few words. She is put in a class for lower-functioning children and taught menial labor skills. My son, Neal, loves bees. He actually picks them up, examines them and then puts them back onto a flower without getting stung. Well-meaning educators and therapists work tirelessly to refocus these children's interests into more "appropriate activities." Time and time again, I've witnessed kids with special needs kicking and screaming when they fail to comply with the norm, and they are coerced away from their preferred interests. As adults, they are taught to sweep floors in a fast food restaurant or stack boxes in a warehouse (not that there is anything wrong with sweeping or stacking).

In this Sunday's The New York Times, writer Amy Harmon shed light on Justin Canha, an artistic, autistic young adult and his transition to adulthood. Major kudos to Justin's parents and support team for viewing Justin's preferred interests in art and cartoon characters as a way for him to earn a living as an adult.

Sometimes I wonder if there is a fine line between autism and certain kinds of genius. Or artistry. Think about it: Anyone who excels at something has to have spent countless hours each day perfecting their craft, art or gift. For instance, if the mother of a young, would-be juggler were to say, "It's inappropriate to toss little balls up and down," no one would ever have the joy of watching an accomplished juggler. Or, think of scientists who spend hours in their laboratories developing cures for all sorts of ills.

How great would it be if every child had mentors who saw a child's strengths as a way toward adult life. This is not a new concept! In "The Republic," Plato urges educators to view a child's early interests and play as serious business that helps prepare a child for adult work. He emphasizes that forced learning cannot remain in the soul. What if parents, educators and therapists saw a child's intense interests in a positive light. Perhaps Joel could become a paleontologist; Marcy could sing in local plays. We homeschool Neal. He is now learning all about bees. In fact, his school curriculum is built around his preferred interests in bees to learn math, science, language, history, etc. His world is expanded by all of us following his intense interests. Perhaps one day he will be a bee keeper or a honey manufacturer. Clearly, the world can benefit from people who are free to explore and enact their obsessions.

Elaine Hall is the author of "Now I See the Moon" (HarperCollins). Her new book, (co-authored with Diane Isaacs) is titled "Seven Keys to Unlock Autism: Making Miracles in the Classroom" Wiley). In stores November 1, 2011. She is the founder of The Miracle Project, which holds classes at Vista Del Mar and The Help Group in Los Angeles, and at the 92nd Street Y in NYC. Visit www.themiracleproject.org.

 

 

 

Follow Elaine Hall on Twitter: www.twitter.com/COACHE

Comments

[bertvan]

02:28 PM on 10/16/2011

My son was diagnosed autistic fifty years ago when autism was said to be caused by maternal rejection and psychotherapy for mother was the treatment. Tony's story can be read at

A Few Questions about Autism, Freudianism and Materialism

http://30145.myauthorsite.com/

[trishpip]

02:37 PM on 10/02/2011

Interesting. Did you know that Justin Canha illustrated the cover of Paula Kluth's book, "Just Give Him the Whale", which is all about how teachers can use a child's special interest areas to help him be more successful in school? I had to smile at the front page story about Justin a couple of weeks ago because I felt like I already knew about this kid.
Also, as Temple Grandin would say, expand that special interest. If a child loves to draw horses, have her draw the stable too, and the farmhouse and the field and the people who care for the horses. In your son's case - not just the bees but the honey and the flowers and the social communication that happens in the hive - these are all wonderful things for him to look deeper into. Take that tiny area of concentration and stretch it. There's a lot that we can learn about our children and students from the adults with autism who have found their voice in this world.

[onionboy]

01:52 AM on 09/28/2011

Go to any academic institution in the world and you will see high-functioning low-spectrum ASD. It's not every academic by any means, but it's common It's certainly a niche for success, where customer relations would be a poor alternative.

What innovations would the world be missing without all of these brilliant and focused individuals.

[Chantal Sicile-Kira]

11:30 AM on 09/25/2011

"What if parents, educators and therapists saw a child's intense interests in a positive light."
It seems like common sense to do so, yet sadly it hasn't happened often enough in the past. Educators and parents are becoming wiser now.

Thanks, Elaine for a great article. And thanks for all you do!

[autismspeaks]

11:00 PM on 09/24/2011

Introducing biomedical therapies with behavior therapies (ABA), along with physical and occupational therapies as early as possible is the key for success in recovering the child from autism. This formula has worked for my 7 year old son, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. He was obsessed with early human ancestors and used to spend hours and hours, either talking about it or dreaming about it. Now after giving him several therapies biomedical, ABA, Brain Balance, fast forward ,occupational therapy and list goes on ...
Now he can limit his obsessions to 30 minutes a day and focus on other stuff. Of course what worked for my son may not work for everyone, but parents should take an effort to research to find out the combination of therapies that would work for their child and keep working towards the goals.
Http://www.recoveryfromautism.com

[Jennifer State]

07:35 AM on 09/23/2011

It's wonderful to see the gifts in these special and often gifted children, but we have to be honest with ourselves and see the deficits. My daughter is highly intelligent but has major sensory problems (diagnosed SPD with gross motor delay, asperger's tendancies) which lead to anxiety that we deal with on a daily basis. Intensive occupational and behavioral therapy have helped tremendously but it's a never ending battle to keep her stable and calm.

[daisy102030]

12:50 PM on 09/22/2011

Autism is much more than stereotypical/repetitive speech. As someone who worked with these kiddos and diagnosed it, I can assure you that communication is not the sole diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorders nor is it the "hallmark". In addition, it is generally supported that these "obsessions" and interests should be fostered and the child's therapy should find areas such as this to shine. If a therapist seeks to eliminate any circumscribed interests that you, as a parent, believe are beneficial...then talk to your therapist and have them adjust the goals.

[Stanislav Meiner]

06:16 PM on 09/21/2011

I have no doubt that autism and genius can be close companions. But one has to make a distinction between being simply obsessed with a subject and having that trait along with more aggressive ones, like fighting or getting upset with people for minimal changes in routine. Or simply being so socially unaware that you put people off without even realizing it. Some traits associated with autism can be very productive - but it's not the specific traits themselves that are worrisome, it's the constellation of behavior that accompanies them.

[Elaine Hall]

01:40 AM on 09/23/2011

Thank you for your comment. I like to think of all behavior as communication. I wonder what is the child trying to tell me when he/she bangs his head or is getting upset. This way I can help them to regulate their emotions.

[mkehler]

02:41 PM on 09/23/2011

Elaine: so true. ALL behavior is communication. My son severely self-injured until we realized it was the only way he could tell us the external stimulation was too much for him. Once we slowly made his environment "safe" for him, he stopped the injuring. Now he is an amazing teen, able to participate in and of the world. And, his focused interests are wonderful areas to introduce and stimulate his ability to experience share with others. Thanks for your wonderful article!

[TMCStrom]

02:20 PM on 09/21/2011

The difference between the obsessions of autism and a preferred interest is that the person with the interest has a choice. They can choose to put down the interest and never look at it again while a person with an autistic obsession does not have that option.

[Jennifer Crain Bradshaw]

10:13 AM on 09/21/2011

Hours of practice and the ability to focus until mastery is a skill a lot of typical people would love to have - anybody read Malcolm Gladwell's book Outliers?

[Jennifer Glanton]

02:32 AM on 09/21/2011

In Teacher College, I learned a great deal about dyslexia & why it is so strong here in the US. I was shocked to learn that dyslexia doesn't show up for an Asian child until they move to the US & learn to read English. The child that once thought he was normal now feels there is something wrong. When I had first met my neighbor's son, he amazed me w/ everything he knew & he seemed like a very happy child that might be this research scientist someday. Later, the mother told me that her son was autistic. I was surprised to learn this & wondered if I would have ever noticed it if she hadn't told me.

It must be so difficult to learn to let the child be independent & not even mention that they are autistic for fear they might get hurt or misunderstood. My son is not autistic, but he knows a lot about certain subjects & so I've been asked about his IQ, at the same time, someone has asked about whether or not he might be autistic. It is interesting to see what some folks think is "autistic" but they are forgiven because there is so much to learn.

I've recently started helping http://www.fhautism.com w/ their website & I can't help but take notice of this extraordinary community of individuals dealing w/ the world of autism. It seems to me they are having fun, making life positive & beautiful. http://www.fhautism.com

[Elaine Hall]

01:42 AM on 09/23/2011

Thank you, Jennifer for your beautiful insights. How terrific that you view children as 'whole' and not their diagnosis. Perhaps all of us have a little bit of autism in us.

[NancyPeske]

07:55 PM on 09/20/2011

I've often felt this way, too. Certainly, a child who can't discuss anything but dinosaurs may have a social communication deficit, but what if that uncle of yours who went on and on about model railroads wasn't autistic but simply passionate? All behaviors are on a spectrum. I would like to see a greater respect for people who tend to hyperfocus on their pet subject, as there are many of them among us!

http://www.sensorysmartparent.com

[Elaine Hall]

01:43 AM on 09/23/2011

Thanks, Nancy. I agree!

[Aaron Feinstein]

06:13 PM on 09/20/2011

Elaine, this is a wonderful article. Meaningful growth (across all contexts) can only occur through the acceptance and nurturing of passions and interests!

[Elaine Hall]

01:44 AM on 09/23/2011

Thanks, Aaron. And thanks for your passion and interest in kids who learn differently!!!

[syllable]

05:54 PM on 09/20/2011

I think early intervention is beneficial for those with autism to help them cope in a complicated world. However, I also think that our preconceived idea of "normal" can in itself be obsessive. Remember when we referred to some people as eccentric? We need to break the chains of standardization and appreciate diversity in people and in other areas of life as well.

[Elaine Hall]

01:44 AM on 09/23/2011

So true. I like to think that 'normal' is over rated!

[babby201]

04:18 PM on 09/20/2011

imagine it ? being to be able to follow your interest in life ,and be happy with your born talents.
or being told you're limited.
perhaps the only limitations are those of the adults imagination .