Honoring Autistic Kids’ Interests
When I met a new autistic client recently, their parent shared that their child loved letters. I got excited, thinking of all the ways we could connect through this interest.
But then they said something that stopped me in my tracks. They said:
"We don’t have any letter toys anymore. Their last therapy team told us to get rid of them because they were too distracting."
Why Interests Matter
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this, but it never gets easier to stomach. Imagine if someone told you to remove the very things that bring your child joy—all in the name of "helping" them. Maybe some of you reading this don’t even need to *imagine* this scenario…maybe you’ve had someone tell you this.
Here’s the truth: leaning into an autistic child’s interests is one of the most powerful tools for connection and communication.
Let me drive this point home with a tale from my own toddler’s life: his monster truck era.
It was Monster-Truck-Mayhem in my house for over a year.
At two years old, my son developed a deep fascination with monster trucks. He talked about them constantly, played with them for hours, and even got his aunt and uncle to take him to Monster Jam lol.
We leaned all the way in. We bought every monster truck toy, learned every truck's name, and celebrated his passion. I like to say that we made monster trucks our whole personalities.
Not once did anyone suggest that this interest was a problem.
No one said he’d become “fixated” or that it would negatively affect his development. Instead, we were praised for supporting him.
So why is it different when an autistic child’s passion is something like letters, traffic cones, or logos?
How can we support our autistic kids’ interests?
Reframe Interests as Strengths
Autistic kids’ interests aren’t “fixations” or “distractions.” They’re the path to connection and learning.
Celebrate Joy, No Matter What
Whether your child loves letters, laundry detergent, or geese, show them that their interests are valued and valid.
Model Language Around Their Passion
If your child loves letters, comment as you play with letter blocks:
“Ooh, its an A!”
“Let’s slide A!” (push the letter down the slide)
Use their passion to model communication without adding pressure.
Push Back Against Harmful Advice
If a professional tells you to remove the things your child loves, it’s okay to question it. You will never regret advocating for your child’s joy. Find practitioners who respect and celebrate your child’s individuality- and if a professional does not align with your values- it’s okay to find someone new.
Let Joy Lead the Way
Autistic kids don’t need us to change them. They need us to celebrate them and their interests- the same way we celebrate our neurotypical kids. By leaning into their interests, we give them the unconditional support they deserve—and the tools they need to thrive.
Let’s stop seeing autistic joy as a problem. Instead, let’s honor it as the foundation for connection and communication.
Supporting Communication Through Interests
Leaning into a child’s passion doesn’t hinder development—it builds trust, safety, and opportunities for communication. And the best part? It lets your child feel seen and valued for who they truly are.
If you want more ideas on how to connect with your child and support meaningful communication, check out the Great Language Partner Workbook:
👉 Get Your Workbook Here – Packed with practical strategies for meeting your gestalt language processor where they are and fostering connection through their unique interests.
