Asperger's Syndrome - Special Interest Topic
Let's talk about perseverating on a topic - a characteristic
common to Asperger's Syndrome. Children with Asperger's Syndrome
often have an area of interest that is all-consuming e.g.
dinosaurs, sharks, horses, astrology, computers etc. and they
are passionate about it. These high interest areas can remain
constant or change every couple of months or so. Individuals
with Asperger's Syndrome usually develop an in-depth knowledge
of these high-interest topics, often amassing an astonishing
recall of facts and data on their favorite topic. This renders
Asperger children experts on their chosen topic and their
expertise should be commended and respected, whilst directing
them to appropriately make use of their knowledge in social
situations.
Children with Asperger's Syndrome will need very specific
direction as to when and how they may appropriately talk about
their high-interest topic in the classroom or in the playground,
(this should be part of an on-going Social Skills program
involving both children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and
their neurotypical peers) so as to learn about turn-talking and
following topic-shifts in conversation.
As the ASD child matures their friends and family can use a
'signal' word to let them know if they are tending to run on too
long about their topic. E.g. bananas. Also, give them some
specifics to look for signs of boredom or disinterest in the
listener, and encourage them to use these cues to stop talking
about their favorite topic. E.g. listener breaks eye contact, or
turns their shoulders/body away. However keep in mind that while
you may have heard it again and again, the new listener may find
their knowledge interesting and engaging. Everyone's star
deserves to shine brightly sometimes!
Smart educators will use this favorite subject or topic to
actively engage Asperger Syndrome children in the classroom,
keeping their interest and motivation levels at a premium across
all curriculum areas E.g. in a Math's lesson Addition may be a
problem area, but for a child interested in dinosaurs "2
Diplodocus in a field, and another one came along, how many
Diplodocus altogether?" Addition takes on meaning.
To encourage children to focus on subjects other than the
high-interest area, draw similarities, or point out differences
E.g. High-interest topic - Dinosaurs. "Unlike Dinosaurs which
were reptilian, sharks are cartilaginous fish."
As the child matures their knowledge base can be used as an
example of preferred learning styles or methods, by examining
the Asperger child's information categorising technique. (Note:
you will have to carefully refocus attention back to the task to
avoid hearing all about dinosaurs, but if you can make the
connection it's worth the effort!)
Within the classroom Asperger children should be acknowledged as
experts on their topic, and their peers should be encouraged to
refer to them for assistance in that area. Over the years our
son has amassed vast amounts of knowledge on a variety of very
unrelated subjects and always the fascination was taken to the
nth degree. This has given him expertise in many areas, and we
often refer to him for definitive answers to our queries. We
always squabble over whose team he should be on when we play
Trivial Pursuit or other general knowledge games!
So I recommend nurturing your Asperger child's thirst for
knowledge, in a supportive and directed manner. In this way you
may manage to turn their 'obsession' into their source of income
in their adult lives, otherwise referred to as their "bread and
butter" specialty.