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Autism
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A Psychosocial Study on Restricted Interests in High Functioning Persons with Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Céline Mercier

McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Laurent Mottron

Université de Montréal, Canada

Sylvie Belleville

Université de Montréal, Canada

To explore how restricted interests are perceived by individuals with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) and their relatives, 18 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with six high-functioning individuals with PDD, their parents and/or siblings. Results revealed that restricted interests play a significant role in the person’s life that is acknowledged by most of their relatives. They provide a sense of well-being, a positive way of occupying one’s time, a source of personal validation, and an incentive for personal growth. However, these positive dimensions are counterbalanced by their negative consequences. Following the demands and the support from their environment, the participants in the study reported to have involved themselves in an active process to adapt, reduce or diversify their restricted interests. These findings on transformation of restricted interests under development and social pressure may have theoretical (for cognitive models of autism) and clinical consequences (in their use for rehabilitation).

Key Words: autism • highfunctoning individuals • pervasive developmental disorders • psychosocial study • qualitative research • restricted interests

Autism, Vol. 4, No. 4, 406-425 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/1362361300004004006
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