Special Interests, Exceptional Gifts : Transforming the Special Interests of Children with Autism into Valuable Life Skills

For children and adults on the autism spectrum, restricted interests are not deficits.

They are strengths that can be used to enhance learning and, when harnessed, improve overall quality of life. "Special Interests, Exceptional Gifts" suggests ways to employ interests to improve communication and social skills at home and at school, from early childhood right through to young adulthood.

The author demonstrates how to identify and embed special interests and preferences in academic subjects such as Science and English, and how to use them in times of transition, career planning and in preparation for the workplace.

Case examples are used throughout the book to illustrate how to benefit from different interests, and sample worksheets, flow charts and checklists can be found in the appendices.

Invaluable for teachers, social workers and parents of children on the autism spectrum, and adolescents and young adults with autism may also find this book helpful in perceiving their restricted interests as strengths.