Learn how some of Travis' special interests with Asperger Syndrome quickly became his best friends who helped him cope through times of loneliness, sadness, and depression from social isolation. This book examines the role of the special interest for someone with autism and gives useful tips on how to understand a special interest and what it means. Learn about Travis' special interests here as you read.
Travis shares how special interests modify over time. What started as an interest in toys like Thomas the Train turned into an interest in sports. Then as he got older he started playing trombone and joined the band in school. This quickly became a special interest to him. As Travis got older he developed more complex special interests that ranged from sexuality to a specific special interest in another person.
In this book Travis explains how the special interests and his ability to escape into imagination and create a make-believe world helped him cope with school. Travis wanted everyone to know about his special interests but sometimes it was inappropriate to tell people. This book also shares about the similarities and differences between a special interest, an Autism fixation, and obsessions.
If you are wanting to learn more about what the special interest means to someone on the Autism Spectrum this is a great book to add to your collection. Not only will you learn a lot about special interests but you will also see their role in social relationships and how they help blossom and maintain friendships.
Sometimes special interests are inappropriate and need modified into something more appropriate. Travis talks about how he modifies some of his special interests into more appropriate ones and gives some ideas on how to do so successfully. If you have ever wondered why your child or someone you know with autism seems obsessively interested in something read this book to learn more about why this could be.
