Autistic Advocacy: Special Interests Are Self-Care

In this episode of Autistic Advocacy, Matt Lowry LPP and Dr. Angela Kingdon celebrate one of the most joyful and identity-defining aspects of autistic life—special interests (SPINS).

From Frankenstein to Bob Geldof, Crowded House to the early internet, this episode dives into how SPINS offer comfort, connection, and career possibilities—and why they’re an essential part of autistic culture, not a “reward” to be earned.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• How SPINS provide escape, identity, and emotional regulation—especially during challenging childhoods
• The hosts’ personal SPINS and how they’ve evolved over time
• Why autistic people thrive on deep media dives, director’s cuts, and IMDb explorations
• The role the early internet played as a haven for autistic connection and fandom culture
• How ABA’s approach to “earning” special interests is harmful and rooted in deficit thinking
• Ways to build a fulfilling career around your SPINS
• How mutual info-dumping creates powerful, lasting autistic relationships

Resources:

🧠 Angela’s SPIN Study – Exploring Autistic Special Interests in Intimacy🔗 bit.ly/spinstudy

Related Episodes:

The Orville is Autistic

Board games are Autistic

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