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Fostering Deep & Focused Interests in Children with ASDs. Valerie Paradiz, PhD Elijah Wapner Autism One 2008. Family Story. Elijah’s diagnosis Grassroots Self-Advocacy Embracing Autism as a Culture The Ebb & Flow of Deep Interests. Early Years. Hats Balloons Colors Sketching - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Fostering Deep & Focused Interestsin Children with ASDs
Valerie Paradiz, PhDElijah WapnerAutism One 2008
Family Story
• Elijah’s diagnosis• Grassroots Self-
Advocacy• Embracing Autism as
a Culture• The Ebb & Flow of
Deep Interests
Early Years
• Hats• Balloons• Colors• Sketching• Val’s Shadow Traits• German Literature• Writing as Social
Scripting• Poetry & Prose• Elijah’s Cup
The Adventure…
• Elijah’s 5th Grade Crisis
• The ASPIE School:
A Haven for Building Confidence
• Val’s Diagnosis
• Elijah’s Comedy
• The Sudbury School
• Infrastructure for Schools and Organizations
What is a deep interest?
Deep Interests & ASD
An area of knowledge or activity that a person with Autism Spectrum Difference (ASD) enjoys engaging in frequently and to a great degree, sometimes to the exclusion of most other activities, often more intensively than an average hobby or leisure time pursuit
Intrinsic Motivation
Activities that people do naturally and
spontaneously when they feel free to
follow their inner interests.
Ryan and Deci, “Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation,
Social Development, and Well-Being”
True or False?• Focused interests are obsessions.• They are non-functional.• They can indicate a person’s feelings of anxiety or
overwhelm.• Deep interests can lead to developing vocational
skills or a career.• They interrupt real learning in the classroom.• They undermine relationships with family members
at home.• They can be helpful in self-regulation.
The Power of Deep InterestsElijah’s Comedy Biography
Early Childhood
• Charlie Stims • Echolalia• Delayed Speech• Seizures• Auditory Sensitivity• Nonverbal
Entertainment
Middle Childhood
• Comedian Stims• Genres of Comedy• Memorizing Jokes• Social Scripting• Integrating Gestures
with Speech
Adolescence• Self Protection• Conflict Resolution• Timing & Delivery• Original Material• MTV: True Life, I
Have Autism• Gotham Comedy Club• Stella Adler Studio• Micro Enterprise
Supporting Emerging & Focused Interests
at home and in the classroom
For EducatorsIntegrating focused interests into lesson plans can…
• motivate students to attempt new subjects or topic areas
• inspire kids to practice study skills they might generally avoid or refuse to do
• be an avenue for promoting good self-esteem
• serve as a positive reinforcement
• win respect and admiration from peers
“Tapping into Special Interestsin the Classroom”
Valerie Paradiz, PhD
Autism Internet Modules (AIM)
www.AutismInternetModules.org
ISA™ Lesson PlanningFostering Focused Interests at School
For FamiliesIntegrating deep interests into family activities can…
• validate your child’s need for familiar structures
• inspire kids to try new activities they might avoid or refuse to do
• show your child that you appreciate how she thinks
• celebrate autistic culture!
Name that Aspie!
And name that focused interest, too!
Mr. Inevitable
American Air Guitarist
