Is anyone here an Aspie WITHOUT special interests?

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At least on the DSM-IV this isn't a requirement for diagnosis, though at times I get the impression that it's an inherent part of AS.

Narrowing of interest is part of the diagnosis. You have a focus that is intense, narrow or unsual.

I don't have any one particular interest that dominates all my time. I have multiple interests. I used to be obsessed with gamin and baseball as you might guess by my name. But now they are just things that are a part of my life.

if you look at diagnostic criteria for both autistic disorder and aspergers disorder, they are THE EXACT SAME when it comes to this part.

"Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

1. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
2. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
3. stereotyped and repetitive motor manners (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
4. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects"


so no, you dont have to have "special interests" to be as or ad, altho its really common in as. diagnostically, you only have to have one of those 4 requirements to fit the criteria.

my son does not yet have real special interests like most talk about, where they know every single little bit of information on a topic, but he does have restricted interests when it comes to video games or tv shows. that may or may not change as he grows older and able to read and research, we'll see. his dad is similar, but he does tend to obsess about certain topics or video games for a period of time.

As for my most recent one's, they were music, photoshop, and conspiracy sites. Now it seems I get minimal stimulating out of anything, except alcohol. I tried video games, but they are a poor substitution. I joined this site because I seriously need to occupy myself, as well as investigate the chances of me having AS.

i dont have special intrests

maybe you have and you dont know it. mine seems to be foreign cultures but i've only just realised

I think it's more like if you get interested in something you become totally obsessed with it and spend all your free time on it. Sort of like what would be a hobby or general interest to other people becomes like research to you. I know, for me, I feel like I HAVE to learn everything I possibly can about whatever I am interested in. When that feeling comes I usually cease my interest for a while.

I was thinking that I didn't, but now I'm starting to think that I do. Like someone else said, you might be like me and just think that you don't (if you're thinking that you don't have special interests). I have some things I focus intensely on but they aren't narrow in interest, and the things that are narrow in interest I don't gather much information on.

I don't have any special interests that are consistent. I obsess over something for about a year, then move onto something else.

Get the all the reception of a Dead Wombat.

I am also a Keeper Of Odd Knowledge

It has varied from astronomy,chess, cooking, to history, then to military history, and now to chemistry.

Yea, this made me wonder if I may not be Aspie. my interests are narrow most of the time though. I do get VERY absorbed in something for awhile until it practically disgusts me and then I move onto something else. I also consider my interests more important than other people, I guess that counts. I just don't have one thing that I've been completely obsessed with for years.

I tend to like things for years. Like the birds... and Sonic... though my free time seems now spent on mental disorders.