• Topic
• >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Activities and interests >> Activities and interests

Activities and interests

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Activities and interests >> Activities and interests

Activities and interests

• Clip
• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Tom – Interview 15b >> Tom enjoys going out and playing computer games.

Tom was diagnosed with autism as a child. He lives on his own with 24 hour support.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> Mary thinks some people with Asperger syndrome come across as shy but they aren’t shy.

After researching various conditions on the internet, Mary was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome aged 21. She also has OCD and experiences anxieties.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Jamie – Interview 02b >> Photography and computers are Jamie’s areas of “strong interest”.

Jamie was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 9 years old. He uses certain techniques which helps him gain comfort and confidence in social interactions. He’s working towards finding employment and leaving home to live independently.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Russell – Interview 07b >> Russell’s interest in abstract maths “isn’t seen as socially normal”.

Russell was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 12 years old. His awareness of potential difficulties is increasing as he grows older and more aware. Russell describes himself as being prone to outbursts and is taking anti-depressants.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Ian – Interview 13b >> Ian feels lucky that his interest in paleantology is shared by many people.

Ian is 22 and was diagnosed with autism with he was 8 years old. He is currently doing a vocational waiting at table course and is interested in palaeontology and film making.

• >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Interests and activities >> Interests and activities

This summary looks at the sort of interests and activities people enjoyed in their leisure time. One characteristic of autism is having ‘special interests’ [see  Fears, Anxieties and Sensory Issues] and some of the activities people described enjoying could be interpreted as special interests.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Interests and activities >> Interests and activities

This summary looks at the sort of interests and activities people enjoyed in their leisure time. One characteristic of autism is having ‘special interests’ [see  Fears, Anxieties and Sensory Issues] and some of the activities people described enjoying could be interpreted as special interests.

• >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Employment and day services >> Employment and day services

Employment and day services

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Employment and day services >> Employment and day services

Employment and day services

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> Autism can bring certain challenges and difficulties to life but it can also enrich your life in ways, too.

After researching various conditions on the internet, Mary was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome aged 21. She also has OCD and experiences anxieties.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Sam feels he is “psychologically incapable” of doing a job that he isn’t obsessively interested in.

Sam was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago. He is studying for a PhD and lives by himself.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Luke - Interview 35 >> Luke describes how he and his girlfriend work at their relationship.

Luke was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was eight years old. He has written three books and is a keen photographer.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> Simon thinks he has overcomplicated interactions because he is so conscious of them.

Simon, aged 22 was diagnosed with autism when he was 5 years old. He has developed his own strategies to cope during social situations. Simon is interested in animals and aims to find employment in this area. Simon does talks on autism to help people to understand.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Steve - Interview 37 >> Steven describes how people with Asperger syndrome can focus on tasks a lot more than most people but the task has got to be something they want to do

Steve and his son have been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Steve is studying for a degree in autism using distance learning and has heightened sensory sensitivities and some OCD traits.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Daniel and Margaret - Interview 54 >> Daniel describes how he notices very little when he is concentrating on something and sometimes he forgets to breathe.

Daniel was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 11 years old. He does voluntary work one day a week and Margaret runs a support group for people with Asperger syndrome.