Toward better characterization of restricted and unusual interests in youth with autism

Despite being highly prevalent among people with autism, restricted and unusual interests remain under-researched and poorly understood. This article confirms that restricted interests are very frequent and varied among children and adolescents with autism. It also further extends current knowledge in this area by characterizing the relationship between the presence, number, and type of restricted interests with chronological age, sex, cognitive functioning, and social and communication symptoms.

Citation:
Uljarevic M, Alvares GA, Steele M, Edwards J, Frazier TW, Hardan AY, Whitehouse AJO. Toward better characterization of restricted and unusual interests in youth with autism. Autism. 2022;26:1296-1304

Keywords:
autism spectrum disorder; repetitive behaviors; restricted interests

Abstract:
Despite being highly prevalent among people with autism, restricted and unusual interests remain under-researched and poorly understood. This article confirms that restricted interests are very frequent and varied among children and adolescents with autism. It also further extends current knowledge in this area by characterizing the relationship between the presence, number, and type of restricted interests with chronological age, sex, cognitive functioning, and social and communication symptoms.