Autistics and "age appropriate" interests

[ofwarren]

Since hitting the teen years, many of my interests would be looked at as being for younger people. Disney was/is a massive one.

Reading into it and it's extremely common for autistics to enjoy interests, wear clothing and act in a way that is seen as age inappropriate.

Why do you think that is?
Are we stuck in a stage of life where we were happier? Reminiscing our childhoods?
Do NTs cover up their true interests as they are seen as immature?

What are your thoughts?

I think we are more likely to not give a shit about societies expectations, maybe because we do not notice them or we just don't see the point of following them. This is a positive thing in my opinion, but is probably seen as not so much so in the NT world

I have two ND children ( one young adult, one teen ) and it’s very much this for them. They like what they like and don’t give a flying fuck what others think.

The adult one does voluntary work with children which gives her a way of indulging these “ childish “ interests in a way that is socially acceptable .

@M0RVEN

I think we are more likely to not give a shit about societies expectations, maybe because we do not notice them or we just don't see the point of following them. This is a positive thing in my opinion, but is probably seen as not so much so in the NT world

I have two ND children ( one young adult, one teen ) and it’s very much this for them. They like what they like and don’t give a flying fuck what others think.

The adult one does voluntary work with children which gives her a way of indulging these “ childish “ interests in a way that is socially acceptable .

I did the same when I was younger. I was a teaching assistant and also volunteered with disabled children. I can't really handle the noise of groups of children though so I never stuck it out.

I would guess that NTs grow out of these interests. I have adhd, so not NT myself, but I struggle to show an interest in children’s toys, games and activities. In lockdown I really pushed myself to take part because my dc were very isolated but I am terrible at imaginative roll play, bored with dolls, at a loss with play doh and completely grossed out by slime. My mind goes blank with Lego.

I’m very creative and imaginative in other, quite closely related ways. I write stories, crochet, paint, bake and work with fondant. So I don’t know why it doesn’t transfer back to children’s versions.

I really don’t understand why anyone would judge anyone else’s interests though. I mean Disney movies aren’t made by toddlers, and Lego isn’t designed by kids. There’s room for all of us.

Yep, I love young things, I'm 43 my current obsession is percy pig I have all the cuddlys all the merchandise the duvet cover, I'm also collecting dinkum dolls, Harry potter lego and sylvanian families
I also wear bright clothes and still fit children's clothes, so frugi, maxomorra, duns, boden kids, with dungarees, joggers or pinafore, my style is 5 year old girl/children's TV presenter 🤣

@Mummiepig

Yep, I love young things, I'm 43 my current obsession is percy pig I have all the cuddlys all the merchandise the duvet cover, I'm also collecting dinkum dolls, Harry potter lego and sylvanian families I also wear bright clothes and still fit children's clothes, so frugi, maxomorra, duns, boden kids, with dungarees, joggers or pinafore, my style is 5 year old girl/children's TV presenter 🤣

You sound AWESOME!!
I have never looked at Percy Pig stuff or Dinkum Dolls but I love Harry Potter and sylvanian Families!

I'm not slim enough for actual kids clothes but I do buy the frugi, duns and maxomorra adults stuff along with patterned Run & Fly and Lucy & Yak and wear colourful Molke underwear. I'm also partial to Disney themed clothing and my main rucksack is a Disney princess one.

Your post has made me so happy ☺️

@MummiePig do you ever see an item of clothing advertised online and think "oh that's nice" but when you click on it, it's a kids item?
Happens to me all the time

YES! All the time! I'm lucky I can fit in 13-14 and sometimes 11-12 I'm wearing my boden dragon jumper today!

Everyone at work laughs at my bag, it's a cosatto pram bag really, but its covered in rainbows and unicorns!

@Mummiepig

Everyone at work laughs at my bag, it's a cosatto pram bag really, but its covered in rainbows and unicorns!

It sounds lovely! I love rainbows 🌈

I’m not sure tbh, I’m NT and have no interest what so ever in anything children related. My best friend is on the spectrum and she is the same. My fiancée is NT and loves Disney and definitely has an innocent child like mentality, likes to be “looked after” at times, I think it’s more related to your childhood, my fiancée had an abusive childhood and I think as a result she is stuck in a sort of childlike mentality in some ways and craves being “mothered” when she feels down or ill because she wasn’t as a child.

It’s one of the things I love about her and it works well in the dynamics of our relationship as I generally like to take the lead anyway, but I definitely think it’s due to her childhood.