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A thread on why insulting/bashing someone& #39;s Hyperfixation/Special interest is damaging for people with Autism, ADHD, learning differences, mental disabilites, and developmental disabilities.
definitions part 1
Hyperfixation: a newly proposed umbrella term to describe special interests, hyperfocuses, perseverations and other intense ‘obsessions’ in those with developmental, learning or mental disabilities ¹ (2/8)
Hyperfixation: a newly proposed umbrella term to describe special interests, hyperfocuses, perseverations and other intense ‘obsessions’ in those with developmental, learning or mental disabilities ¹ (2/8)
definition part 2
Special Interest: to have a deep, intense, passionate and incredibly focused/narrowed interest in a certain area of study, subject, topic or thing - to the exclusion of other interests. Special interests can last for weeks and up to a life time ! (autism/ADHD) ²
Special Interest: to have a deep, intense, passionate and incredibly focused/narrowed interest in a certain area of study, subject, topic or thing - to the exclusion of other interests. Special interests can last for weeks and up to a life time ! (autism/ADHD) ²
With that being said something YOU as a person have to understand is that people CANNOT control what they Hyperfixate/Hyperfocus on. Doesn& #39;t matter what the source material is, if it& #39;s problematic or you think they& #39;re too old for it. (4/8)
Understanding that alot of neurodivergent people use it as a way to cope or make them happy.
By you insulting Hyperfixations and Special interests you& #39;re directly affecting this person& #39;s happiness. You& #39;re essentially making them feel bad for something they can& #39;t help. (5/8)
By you insulting Hyperfixations and Special interests you& #39;re directly affecting this person& #39;s happiness. You& #39;re essentially making them feel bad for something they can& #39;t help. (5/8)
Even when the source of the hyperfixation is problematic it doesn& #39;t mean the person condones it. (6/8)
You can see why insulting and bashing on someone& #39;s hyperfixations can be damaging. It costs you literally nothing to just be respectful over a person& #39;s interests.
(7/8)
(7/8)
Now if you get annoyed at them or upset that they have a special interest they talk about you can do the following: mute, unfollow, or stop talking to them. It& #39;s not your place to change something someone can& #39;t control. It& #39;s a way of thinking and doing things. (8/8)
¹ https://deathbecoming.tumblr.com/post/117045349481/a-new-proposed-term-hyperfixation
²
made this because people genuinely do this to me and its the worst feeling ever 
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