Chapter on Understanding and Managing Circumscribed Interests

By Tony Attwood, in: Learning and Behaviour Problems in Asperger Syndrome, Edited by Margot Prior, The Guilford Press; New York, ISBN: 1-57230-917-2

The following is the summary from the chapter on Circumscribed Interests in the new book edited by Margot Prior. The Circumscribed Interest is a distinct and enduring characteristic of Asperger's Syndrome. The intensity and focus of this interest usually distinguishes children with Asperger's Syndrome from their peers. The nature and number of interests change over time and specific triggers may precipitate a new interest. The functions of these interests range from expressing intellectual curiosity regarding the physical world to providing a source of pleasure. Parents are often concerned by how they have to adapt their personal and family life to accommodate their child's access to the interest. However strategies that reduce the time spent engaged in the interest or eliminate inappropriate interests are available. The interest can be either a barrier or bridge to social contact, in either case it can also be sued constructively at school and in therapy. The interest can be perceived as a problem and will then remain a barrier or as a talent and will then become a bridge. Some interests can even become a source of personal success and employment.