Is it true about kids with AS and Thomas the Tank Engine?

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I'm surprised there hasn't already been a discussion on this (since Aspies on WP blame everything about themselves on their condition), but I've read in a lot of books about AS that kids with ASDs have an intense liking on Thomas the Tank Engine in their early childhood. Admittedly, I did have an intense liking on this particular feature too between the ages of 4 and 7. I collected all the little trains from Thomas the Tank Engine, and I had such an obsession with one of the particular trains that I used to bite it, hide it, or throw it. (I don't know why!) I never went on and on about Thomas the Tank - I just loved it.
I know that is normal in kids anyway. My brother used to love it when it was small too, and he is an NT. He used to watch it over and over (before I started liking it), but having an intense obsession over this one particular thing seems common in young kids with ASDs. Why?

It's funny you mention that, I was obsessed with that until I was 6 or 7. Not just obsessed like I am with my hobbies now, but well beyond the point of insanity, as that was my only obsession.

Funny, I don't blame everything about myself on having/being asperger's.

I remember I really liked Thomas The Tank Engine...even had a budgie that whistled the theme tune - but I wasn't obsessed, and yes I would think that NT kids are just as likely to be obsessed with Thomas. I HATE Thomas The Tank Engine now.

I'd say with AS kids (and adults) there is an attraction to things where we can consume information and where there are different types of the same thing (different engines, different products to collect, etc.) - when I was a kid Thomas The Tank Engine was one of the few shows that had this sort of branding. Also it may be the emotionless faces of the engines that appealed to us

I didn't like that... My brother who is NT did though... I preferred pokemon, I still do...

I also liked the show too but I wouldn't say I was obsessed with it. It was one of my favorite TV shows as a small child, so was Mister Roger's Neighborhood. Heck I used to pretend I was him and play it in my own bedroom. I don't mean the TV show, I mean me pretending to be him and sing the song and then talk pretending I am on TV and do the show and tell part. That was my favorite part of the show after his intro song. I blame that on just being a normal kid.


My guess in kids with ASDs seeming to like it maybe because they're trains and train obsessions seem so common in ASDs.

I used to play with that when I was younger.

I think every kid loves Thomas the tank engine.

The more I think back on it, the more I realized just how obsessed I was. It was definitely my biggest obsession ever, by far.

I was into Thomas the Tank Engine stuff when I was younger.

Both on tv (Shining Time Station), and with a wooden brio set.

The show didn't exist when I was a kid, though the books did. Never had a particular interest. Did have a train set that I played with a lot, but wouldn't consider it to have been an obsessive thing. I think the whole 'autistics are obsessed with trains' is a stereotype that comes from one casual EXAMPLE in the DSM being taken too literally.

Let me check:
Christmas presents at the age of four - Thomas and Bertie book and tape, Thomas the Tank Engine height chart, and a few other things
Favorite TV shows at same age - Playschool, Rainbow, Puddle Lane, and Thomas the Tank Engine
Highlight of my first year of school - Going to library to get Thomas books.
Biggest disappointment at the age of 5 - The cassette that went with previously mentioned Thomas and Bertie book jamming up in the tape deck
Sixth birthday presents - Thomas the Tank Engine board game, card game, and push-along toy
Christmas following sixth birthday - Percy electric train set
Seventh birthday highlight - Thomas the Tank Engine birthday cake

We might be on to something

I must be too old? No idea what it is.

I watched a whole variety of kid's shows when I was younger, but oddly enough, Thomas the Tank Engine was never one of them. Shows with talking animals were my favorites, such as PB & J Otter, Jungle Cubs, and Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat.

I loved to watch that show! With the audio muted. I did not like the fact that the trains spoke and had thoughts and personalities. They're f--king trains. I wasn't down with that. I liked the toys.

I pre-date the show.

But probably the first sign of something unusual was when I was just a few months old, and they had to pry away my little Tonka Jeep from me while I was asleep to stage a picture with the completely uninteresting teddy bear Grandma bought me.

I wasn't just obsessed with Thomas the Train, I was obsessed with all trains. I remember renting whatever videos/books at the local library about trains I could find. There was also a train hobby store in the mall and if my grandparents didn't let me go in there I would throw a tantrum.

I was more obsessed about weather though, particularly tornadoes.