Restricted Interests in Children with ASD: Deficits or Strengths?

Restricted and repetitive interests are part of the current diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder.¹ As a marker of disability, restricted interests were traditionally viewed as a deficit in need of remediation. However, recent research suggests that this is an unwarranted and narrow view. Rather, restricted interests ironically have wide applications offering a variety of positive possibilities.

Interests as Deficits

There is no doubt that restricted, perseverative interests can pose challenges for children with ASD. Research shows that limited interests can greatly interfere with activities⁸ and decrease enjoyment in some activities⁴ for children with ASD.

Interests as Strengths

In contrast, mounting evidence demonstrates that restricted interests can also be strengths for children with ASD¹² and effective intervention tools.¹¹

For example, a meta-analysis of 24 studies found that incorporating personal interests was an effective intervention for increasing social behavior and decreasing aberrant behavior in children with ASD.³ More recently, Gunn and Delafield-Butt (2015) reviewed 20 published studies that incorporated personal interests and found that all reported gains in engagement and motivation for children with ASD.⁵ Preliminary research has also found personal interests to be effective for promoting social interaction and decreasing social anxiety in adolescents with ASD.^7,9,10 Furthermore, use of personal interests may promote quality of life, positive emotions, and regulation.^6,13,14

Implications for Practice

Collectively, this research suggests that rather than discourage a personal interest in a child with ASD, practitioners should help shape the use of that interest in daily life. Using what is meaningful may tap internal motivation and drive. Identification and use of preferred interests can provide a pathway for increased engagement in therapeutic activities and daily life.¹¹ Tapping into the childs internal abilities is critical for a strength-based intervention approach.²

Application in Practice

Not surprisingly, some have argued that restricted interests are more accurately termed special interests.¹² Certainly, a practitioners thoughtful assessment of the special possibilities and meaning of an interest are critical for its use in best practice. In occupational therapy, interests can be used to creatively modify therapeutic activities as well as daily activities and routines for children with ASD.