Special report: Autistic strengths and special interests

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Humorous photograph shows a young man with plastic sunglasses on that match the patterns around him, surveys a tabletop scene of patterned objects.

Finding strengths in autism

Autism comprises a set of difficulties, but growing evidence suggests that certain abilities also define the condition.

By Rachel Nuwer
12 May 2021 | 21 min read
Boy in front of colorful constellation or universe, studying the realms of outer space.

The benefits of special interests in autism

Researchers are studying how the intense passions of autistic people shape the brain, improve well-being and enhance learning.

By Emily Laber-Warren
12 May 2021 | 18 min read

Older autistic adults may retain strong visual abilities

Autistic adults may not experience the typical age-related decline in brain regions related to vision.

By Marcus A. Banks
2 March 2020 | 4 min read

From the archives

Extraordinary minds: The link between savantism and autism

Some people with autism have an exceptional talent for music, math, art or language. What accounts for their extraordinary brains?

By Linda Marsa
13 January 2016 | 16 min read

Attention to detail may aid visual learning in autism

Adults with high-functioning autism excel at learning visual patterns, according to research published 25 August in Neuropsychology. The findings contrast with a report earlier this year that children with the disorder struggle with visual learning.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
23 September 2014 | 4 min read
hands with a red and blue string puzzle.

Book Review: ‘The Pattern Seekers’ links human invention — past, present and future — to autism traits

Simon Baron-Cohen’s new book is essentially a 272-page argument for his hypothesis that all human innovation stems from the ability to discern and manipulate causal patterns.

By Claudia Wallis
10 November 2020 | 6 min read
Classroom scene shows a kid powering up his handmade windmill model.

Career-prep program fosters strengths of teens with autism

In a new program based in New York City, autistic students work to build skills that cater to their strengths or special interests.

By Christina Pullano
9 August 2018 | 6 min read

Autism model reveals brain processes behind ‘super’ skills

Structural changes in the connections between neurons may underlie the enhanced learning and motor skills of a mouse model of autism.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
21 October 2015 | 4 min read

Animated sidekick connects parents to children with autism

In a new type of therapy for autism, parents talk or type into their phone or computer, and their words emerge in the voice of an animated character.

By Ron Suskind
21 February 2017 | 9 min read

Intense interests may interfere with social development in autism

Children with autism may be so consumed by their interests that they don’t pay attention to social information.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
13 November 2016 | 3 min read

Reward-system differences may underlie multiple autism features

The brain's system for sensing pleasure and reward shows unusual activation patterns and an atypical structure in people with autism.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
30 July 2018 | 4 min read
students in subway taking notes

New York program transports children with autism to their passion

In a New York City after-school program, children with autism build social skills through a shared interest in trains.

By Abigail Fagan
22 December 2017 | 5 min read
hand holding ipad with images

Special interests hinder self-control in children with autism

Children with autism show much less restraint when confronted with one of their interests, compared with their typical peers.

By Hannah Furfaro
12 May 2018 | 3 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Illustration of an open book with the pages creating a brain shape, and with a tassel resembling a DNA sequence.

Open-access neuroscience comes to the classroom: Q&A with Liz Kirby

Neuroscience textbooks can be prohibitively expensive for some undergraduate students. A new open-access alternative seeks to change that.

By Francisco J. Rivera Rosario
13 December 2024 | 6 min read
Black-and-white image of cubes floating out of the bottom half of a human head.

Solving intelligence requires new research and funding models

Our research ecosystem isn't built to deliver the breakthroughs needed to understand intelligence at scale. We need a dedicated research institution to take up the task.

By David A. Markowitz
13 December 2024 | 6 min read
Research image of brain scans.

Impaired molecular ‘chaperone’ accompanies multiple brain changes, conditions

Rare genetic variants in a protein-folding complex contribute to a spectrum of phenotypes that encompass brain malformations, intellectual disability, autism and seizures, according to a new “hallmark” study.

By Holly Barker
12 December 2024 | 5 min read