Over the past decades, special interests (SIs) have been commonly labeled as “restricted” or “abnormal” within the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, emerging evidence suggests that SIS can serve as a powerful medium for social development. This study followed Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework to conduct a scoping review of English-language empirical studies published in five databases between 1995 and 2025. A total of 39 studies were included, and data on intervention components, implementation strategies, and outcomes were extracted. Results indicate that when integrated into interventions, SIs can serve as a powerful tool for promoting social development. Future research should aim to enhance methodological rigor, include diverse populations, and assess cross-cultural adaptability and long-term outcomes.
Jiang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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