Why Does My Neurotypical Sister Say That Neurotypical People Generally Don’t Have Intense Interests?
Often, neurotypical individuals are perceived to have broad interests rather than intensely specialized ones. However, this generalization can be misleading. Neurotypical individuals can indeed develop deep and passionate interests in specific areas, just like individuals on the autism spectrum. The misconception may stem from a lack of understanding of the unique characteristics of how people with autism engage with their interests.
Understanding Neurotypical and Neurodivergent Interests
When your sister mentioned that neurotypical people generally don’t have intense interests, she might be thinking specifically of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Neurodivergent individuals, including those with ASD, often develop intense and deep interests, known as “special interests” or “obsessions.” These special interests can be seen in the way they approach conversation and learning.
Conversation Patterns and Special Interests
The conversation patterns can illustrate these differences:
Neurotypical Conversation Example
Neurotypical individuals might have a less in-depth conversation about a topic. For instance:
“I like to crochet.” “Oh yeah! I did that as a kid.” “Did you hear about Obama” “No! What” “He got arrested.” “Daaaamnnn” “Hey I’m going to the fair want to come” “No you son of a bth.” “You are soooo my BFF.”
This example shows a quick and casual conversation that moves on to various topics with minimal detail about the initial subject.
Neurodivergent Conversation Example
Neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ASD, often delve deeply into a topic, bringing a wealth of detail and enthusiasm to their conversations:
“I like to crochet stuffed animals. I am working on a teddy bear.” “Oh I like crochet too!!!!! I like the really long needles! I can make so many blankets for my large collection of Pokemon.” “Yeah! I can’t stand the I Love Yarn brand. It is very irritating to my skin. I like the Red Hart brand though.” “Oh! Don’t I know it. But I buy my yarn specially made for sensitive skin from an obscure internet website.”
In this example, the conversation remains focused on the shared interest and delves into specific details, revealing the depth of engagement found in special interests.
Why Special Interests Matter
Special interests in neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals serve different purposes:
Heartfelt Engagement: For individuals with ASD, special interests are driven by a strong, heartfelt passion, sometimes lasting only for a short period. For neurotypical individuals, similar feelings can exist, but the topics might change more frequently due to the broad nature of their interests. Honesty and Openness: Neurodivergent individuals often speak more directly about their interests. They may be less concerned with social expectations and share more personal thoughts. This openness can sometimes be perceived as a lack of filter, but it also makes them more relatable in certain contexts. Differences in Learning Approaches:** Neurotypical individuals often approach learning through a more social and interactive process, which can lead to discussions that switch topics quickly. Individuals with ASD tend to learn deeply about a topic, often acquiring a wealth of knowledge and becoming experts in their field. This can result in conversations that stay focused on a single topic and delve into great detail.Functional Range of ASD and Gifted Individuals
It is important to note that the spectrum of ASD includes a wide range of abilities. Gifted individuals with ASD can have high IQs and still be diagnosed with ASD. Their special interests are often driven by genuine passion and curiosity.
The misconception about neurotypical individuals generally not having intense interests can arise from the social nature of neurotypical conversations, which may not showcase these deep passions as prominently. This highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding and appreciation of the diversity of human interests and the ways in which people discuss and pursue them.