obsessions
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| Wed, 10-12-2005 - 11:27am |
When we were going through the diagnosis process, one thing I wasn't sure of was whether my son had anything he was overly interested in. He does get really into video games particuarily super Mario, but I wasn't sure whether this qualified. Years ago it was Pokemon, but many kids are into this stuff. My son does seem to take it to the extreme a bit,but still I wasn't sure. Anyway, lately his Mario obsession has become much stronger. Every notebook for example has MArio drawing on it, every story is about Mario, and when he goes on the computer he looks up Mario and watches over and over different Movie clips about Mario, for halloween, yes he will be mario again. My question is his behavior seems to be more controlled when he's really into something. So is this a coping mechanism or something? Just wondering what kind of experiences you guys have had.
Amanda

I've noticed that Dylan goes through phases of his obsessions....let's see, he carried around a lemom juicer for about a week. It went everywhere with him-naps, the store, the bathroom, everywhere! And he didn't even know what it was. He called it "My thing". Kinda funny.
Other than trucks he's obsessed with campers (like the travel trailer RV things). He talks about them non stop-wants us to talk about them also, but of course he only wants us to say what he wants us to say. He talks about him going camping and the truck pulling the camper and the stuff inside the camper and blah blah blah....after awhile I just say yes like every 60 seconds-nice conversation! He reads camper brochures, magazines, etc. Every couple of months my mom goes to the RV selling place and picks up some new brochures for him. My grandfather subscribes to a camper magazine and gives him all of his old issues.
Ds wants to drive by the camper lot...he wants to go in all the campers and throws a fit if we dont' stop.
Yes, I can relate.
"My question is his behavior seems to be more controlled when he's really into something. So is this a coping mechanism or something?"
In my experience, oh yeah...total coping mechanism! I find that my spectrum kids gravitate towards their obsessions in stressful situations, mainly because "it" (whatever it might be) is familiar, comforting, and in general, they're in control of "it".
I've had lots of experience with obsessions. My oldest (8 y/o AS) has gone through a bunch of obsessions including the "required" autism obsession Thomas the Tank Engine. Currently it's Yu-Gi-Oh cards, Teen Titans and video games. (All of which I despise!)
My youngest (5 y/o traditional autism) does the same thing. Her current obsession is Dr. Seuss, but prior to that it was Blues Clue, Dora, and Apple Dumplin' from Strawberry Shortcake-to name a few.
To be honest, I've often fed these behaviors. Whenever they would get upset, I would assist them in participating in their obsession...either by encouraging obsession related gift giving, or by ocassionally allowing the obsession to go to far. It's a live and learn situation. When it becomes all encompassing, you'll know! ;-)
Good Luck- most of us have BTDT, so you're not alone!
Amy W.
well thats good to know. See it seems that although his current obsession is somewhat annoying it's helping him in other areas. I have a hard time knowing whether or not it's okay to encourage the obsession. Like he's been wanting to show me the videos and talk about them ect.... partly it seems me showing interest is lying yet in another way it seems a way to connect. Either way his behavior has been improved which is good.
Amanda
I just wanted to add, that I often use the obsessions as a intro to learning. Peter had a tiger obesession for awhile, and we used that to learn about tigers and other big cats, their habitat and their endangerment. His science project for K was about the similarities and differences between a tiger and Rascal, our housecat. Now he is starting on a science obsession, and we are learning a lot there.
Gotta say, I was a bit stuck at Pokemon -not much room to introduce stuff there, and Mario might be similar, You could use it as an intro to plumbing ...OK. maybe not! Let's hope "Mario" wanes soon in favor of something more ..useful.
GL and HTH
-Paula
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Right now, I have to say I am finding obsession to becoming a problem with learning.
Cait has a "famous scientist" report. So she pick BF Skinner because naturally, he studied animals and trained animals. Welllllll, the problem is Cait is very resistant to doing the report ON BF Skinner. She only wants to write about the animals and his work with them. It is a biography report and she is very resistant (and just plain oppositional) about including actual information about Skinner's life in the report! Only aspies, rofl!
Fortunately she has taked up an interest in prehistoric humans which they are studying in social studies or that woudl be a complete wash.
Renee
Yep, I totally agree about using the "obsession" as a learning experience. When Dylan would carry "his thing" (a juicer) we made homemade fresh squeezed lemonade for the first time.
kate
BF Skinner, now when I was taking psychology I was I thought of doing it on his reserch and using ds as my ginny pig. I am taking develpmental psych now and doing my paper on... yes you guessed it Aspergers. If anyone has any suggestions for resourses, input whatever, let me know!
Amanda