“Focused Interests, Identity, and Autistic Communication Across Contexts”
Date: 8-9 January 2026
Location: Queen Mary University of London and online
This workshop will explore how autistic people engage with and express focused interests across diverse communicative settings. Previously framed narrowly as “special interests,” these intense areas of engagement are central to autistic sense-making, self-expression, and social interaction. Bringing together discourse, narrative, and interactional approaches, the sessions will examine how focused interests shape the stories autistic individuals tell, the way knowledge is shared, and connections are formed— both online and offline. We will consider how these interests are linguistically constructed, socially received, and differently valued, and ask what it would mean to centre focused interests as a strength rather than a symptom.
Guiding questions
- How do autistic individuals use focused interests to structure personal narratives, create meaning, and engage in play?
- What linguistic or narrative patterns emerge when people communicate through their interests?
- How are focused interests received in different social or institutional (education, workplace, healthcare) contexts — and how do those responses shape autistic self-presentation or narrative choices?
- What role do digital platforms play in enabling the sharing, performance, and development of focused interests?
- How can greater attention to focused interests help reshape dominant narratives about autistic communication and competence?
Invited speakers
- Pete Wharmby, neurodiversity speaker and writer, author of What I Want to Talk About
- Rebecca Wood, Senior Lecturer in Inclusive Education, School of Education, University of Glasgow
- Gray Atherton & Liam Cross, Lecturers in Psychology, University of Plymouth
Taking part
We invite contributions from linguistics, medical humanities, psychology, education, and disability studies to discuss how language, identity, and neurodiversity intersect in and through focused interests. Proposals may take the form of individual papers or contributions to a roundtable discussion on 8 January. We are especially keen to involve practitioners, autistic individuals and allies, and members of the public in all sessions.
To submit a proposal, email Jessica Aiston (j.aiston@qmul.ac.uk) by Friday 14th November.
