When Special Interests Look Typical: Understanding the Hidden Intensity in Autistic Girls

• By: Dr. Zain Haris Autism Advocate & Parent Educator, Independent Researcher
• April 3rd, 2026
• autism in girls, cognitive engagement, emotional regulation, identity development, masking, social recognition, special interests, Spring 2026 Issue, underdiagnosis
• 433    0

Most autistic individuals develop special interests (SIs)—deeply focused passions that go beyond typical hobbies. These interests are often characterized by intensity, prolonged engagement, and difficulty shifting attention away from the topic. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental...

Not Quiet. Just Listening. A Reflection on Autistic Girlhood—Then and Now

• By: S. Astrid Cooper Writer and Illustrator
• February 25th, 2026
• autism in girls, emotional sensitivity, inclusive education, masking behaviors, neurodiversity acceptance, pattern recognition, self-soothing strategies, sensory overload
• 485    0

In the late 1960s, a little girl carried a book under her arm—a simple gesture that masked a constant search for calm. She moved through the world as if following a quiet cadence, attuned to subtleties others didn’t notice: a hint of a smile, the tension behind a voice, the pattern of...