What are special interests, routines and rituals in autism?
Many autistic children and teenagers have special interests, routines or rituals. Some have all of these things, and others have only some of them.
Special interests
Autistic children and teenagers can have very specific and often strong interests. These might include toys, objects, activities and conversation topics.
For example, if your autistic child is younger, they might:
- collect things like twigs or buttons
- be very interested in dates, landmarks or animals
- enjoy opening and closing doors repeatedly
- seem preoccupied with light switches.
Older children might have narrow or unique interests. For example, your child might:
- enjoy researching particular animals, TV shows or video games
- be very interested in art or chess.
Some autistic children move from one interest to another, with their interests lasting for weeks or months. Others develop interests during early childhood that continue through adolescence and into adulthood.
Rituals
Rituals are things that autistic children and teenagers like to do in the same way every time. For example, your autistic child might:
- arrange their favourite objects in a particular way
- have to get their objects out and touch them before bed
- drink only from particular cups
- like food presented in a certain way or at a particular temperature
- ask the same questions and need specific answers.
Routines
Routines can be important to autistic children and teenagers, who often need predictability and find it difficult to cope with change. For example, your autistic child might need to eat, sleep or leave the house in the same way every time. They might feel unsettled, stressed or upset if they can’t follow their bedtime routine, go to school using the usual route, or put their clothes on in the usual order.
Why are special interests, routines and rituals good for your autistic child?
Your autistic child might enjoy their special interests. They might be proud of their skills and knowledge. They often do well in school subjects or jobs that relate to their interests. And their special interests can be a way to connect with other autistic people – for example, through interest-based social groups.
Special interests, routines or rituals might also help your child manage stress and anxiety. For example, your child might not understand what’s going on around them and feel stressed. In these situations, special interests, routines or rituals can give your child a sense of control.
Likewise, if your child has trouble with planning or coping when they don’t know what to expect, a routine or ritual can help life feel more structured and predictable.
Sensory sensitivities can be linked to special interests. For example, children might feel calm when they stroke soft toys, so they might want to collect soft toys.
How to use your autistic child’s special interests, routines and rituals to support their development
When you understand and embrace your autistic child’s special interests, routines or rituals, you can help them develop, learn and thrive.
Special interests
By making time for your child to enjoy their special interests, you give your child the chance to self-regulate and relax in their own way. Your child might then have more energy to learn new skills or engage with other people.
You can also use special interests to help your child learn new skills in interesting and engaging ways. For example:
- Speech and language skills – you and your child could read maps, talk about space or use magnetic letters to spell out country names.
- Fine motor skills – you and your child could read about Pokémon, cut out pictures of trains or build with Lego.
- Flexible thinking and problem-solving skills – you and your child could follow a recipe for a favourite food or play a board game together.
- Social connections and communication skills – your child might enjoy interest-based groups like art lessons, Lego club, chess club or music classes. They can connect with like-minded peers and practise listening actively, asking questions and taking turns.
Routines and rituals
Routines and rituals can help your child’s life feel more structured and predictable. This can be good for your child’s learning and development.
For example:
- Let your child get ready for school in the same way each morning to help them feel less anxious about going to school.
- Do the same activity after school each day to help your child unwind when they get home.
- Follow a bedtime routine to help your child develop good sleep patterns.
- Let your child know ahead of time if there’s going to be a change to their routine.
What to do about problematic special interests, routines and rituals
If interests, routines or rituals are causing problems for your autistic child, you might need to help your child find alternative behaviour.
These steps can help.
1. Work out how the behaviour affects your child and family
For example:
- Is your child’s behaviour affecting their ability to learn?
- Is your child’s behaviour affecting their social life?
- Is your child’s behaviour affecting their sleep?
- Is your child’s behaviour affecting your family’s ability to do day-to-day activities or go on holidays or trips?
- Is your child’s behaviour causing harm to themselves or others?
If you decide your child needs help with their special interests, routines or rituals, the answers to these questions might also help you work out what to focus on.
2. Think about how the special interest, routine or ritual helps your child
The next step is working out how your child’s special interests meet their needs or help them at the moment. For example, does a special interest help them express their feelings or feel relaxed? Or does it give them a sense of control?
3. Think about whether there’s another way for your child to behave
The last step is working out whether there’s another way for your child to meet their needs.
For example, your child might need all their toy cars lined up on the bed before they’ll go to sleep, which affects their sleep. Perhaps they could meet this need by having the cars in a box next to their bed instead. Your child could make the change gradually, by putting 1-2 cars per night into the box.
Autistic children can get upset when they can’t enjoy their special interests or do their routines or rituals. Strategies for coping with change and managing challenging behaviour can help you and your family manage these situations.
Where to get professional help with special interests, routines and rituals
An experienced professional can help you understand and support your child’s special interests, routines or rituals. Professionals can also help you support your child in situations where special interests or rigid behaviour is distressing your child.
A good first step is talking with your child’s paediatrician or psychologist, another health professional working with your child, or school support staff.