Pokémon as a Special Interest: A Celebration of Autistic Joy, Growth, and Connection

For many autistic kids and adults, Pokémon isn’t just a hobby—it’s a lifeline. It’s a world where we can thrive, express ourselves, and feel deep comfort. Special interests like Pokémon aren’t random; they serve important, meaningful purposes.

If someone ever told you to “grow up” or that your interests were “too much,” I want you to hear this loud and clear: they’re wrong. Your special interests deserve to be celebrated—not dismissed.

As a neurodivergent psychologist who works almost exclusively with autistic clients, I see firsthand how these interests create space for healing, emotional regulation, and connection. I also see it in my own neurodivergent family—special interests like Pokémon aren’t a distraction from life; they are a way to cope, grow, and belong.

The Joy of Categorizing: Organizing Brings Comfort

If you’ve ever felt that rush of joy when you perfectly organize your Pokémon cards, sort them by type (Water, Fire, Electric), or build the ultimate strategic team—you’re my kind of person.

Many autistic folks experience a deep sense of calm when placing things in their “proper” space. Pokémon offers endless ways to engage in this comforting process:

• Completing the Pokédex – Checking off that list? Chef’s kiss—it just feels right.

• Sorting decks and figurines – Whether by evolution chains or aesthetic vibes, it’s all about order.

• Creating battle strategies – It’s not just a game—it’s an art form.

This love of structure isn’t random—it’s part of how our brains are wired. We are born to systemize, organize, and make sense of chaos. A study by Baron-Cohen et al. (2009) found that autistic individuals score higher on systemizing tasks, meaning we thrive in roles and hobbies that involve organizing, sorting, and analyzing patterns.

Stimming Through Sensory Details: Pokémon Is a Sensory Playground

Let’s be real—stimming is life. Whether it’s tapping, humming, organizing, or fidgeting, stims help us self-regulate and express joy. Pokémon delivers sensory experiences that make it an amazing stimming outlet:

• Visual stims: The bright colors, unique shapes, and adorable or intimidating Pokémon designs (looking at you, Snorlax).

• Auditory stims: The catchy battle music and those iconic sound effects (yes, I will hum the bike music on repeat).

• Tactile stims: Flipping through binders, shuffling decks, and arranging figurines just so.

In my practice, 99% of my neurodivergent clients experience sensory processing challenges. That’s not a coincidence—sensory regulation is essential for neurodivergent brains. Special interests like Pokémon provide rich sensory experiences that help us feel safe and soothed.

Research published in Frontiers in Neuroscience shows that over 95% of autistic individuals experience sensory sensitivities, underscoring the need for sensory-friendly outlets.

Memory Superpowers and Deep Knowledge

Autistic brains are wired for hyper-focus and mastery when we’re interested in something. Pokémon, with its rich lore, stats, and strategies, gives us so much to dive into.

My son Isaac loves Gliscor because he’s powerful and evolves from Gligar. He can tell you every detail about their evolution paths and stats. And Ethan? He’s a fan of Meowth because of Team Rocket (he’s got a flair for the mischievous), and Horsea because it feels gender-neutral.

Why can they remember every move, evolution, and hidden detail? Because that’s how autistic brains thrive—we dive in, absorb everything, and master what we love.

Instead of seeing this as “obsessing,” think of it as expertise in action. This kind of deep knowledge? It’s the same stuff that makes autistic people excel in specialized careers like engineering, astrophysics, and research.

Play as Ego Work: Building Confidence Through Special Interests

Pokémon isn’t just an escape—it’s a tool for growth. Engaging with our favorite characters and storylines helps us:

• Try on new identities – Are you more of a strategic mastermind like Meowth or a powerhouse like Gliscor?

• Experience mastery – Every time you win a battle or level up a team, you’re proving your strength.

• Build self-confidence – Because when you crush it in your game, that success sticks with you.

For autistic kids (and adults), this kind of imaginative play can be more effective than traditional talk therapy. Direct conversations about feelings can put us on high alert—our defense mechanisms kick in hard. But indirect play? It’s like therapy in disguise.

Special Interests Create Community: A Place to Belong

One of the best things about special interests like Pokémon is the sense of belonging they create. When my family of neurodivergents visited a local card shop, we found a place where we could:

• Play without shame – No one cared about age-appropriateness or “acting normal.”

• Connect in our own way – Talking about strategies, sharing favorite cards, and bonding through play.

• Be accepted for who we are – No masking required.

If you’ve ever felt isolated, special-interest spaces like game stores, conventions, and online communities can be life-changing. These are places where autistic people can just be themselves.

Studies show that “interest-based communities” provide autistic individuals with meaningful connections and reduce feelings of isolation (Autism in Adulthood Journal, 2020).

Self-Regulation and Emotional Safety

If you’ve ever been interrupted mid-Pokémon session and felt your anxiety spike, you’re not being “too sensitive.” Special interests often act as emotional anchors. When someone pulls us out of that space without warning, it can feel like losing our footing.

Instead of shaming these reactions, we need to respect them. Special interests aren’t just hobbies—they’re lifelines that help us feel safe, grounded, and capable.

Find Your Long-Lost Stims and Interests

If you’ve buried your special interests because someone told you they weren’t “age-appropriate” or that you needed to “grow out of them”—it’s time to revive them.

Those interests weren’t silly—they were your coping skills.

Remember how calm and excited you felt when you were lost in your favorite game, book, or collection? You deserve to feel that joy again. Whether it’s Pokémon, Dungeons & Dragons, or something else, your special interests are where you rediscover your brilliance, your creativity, and your peace.

Let’s Harness Your Strengths.

As a neurodivergent psychologist, I specialize in helping autistic individuals of all ages embrace their full selves—special interests included! Whether you’re navigating sensory overload, anxiety, or challenges in social spaces, I offer a neurodivergent-affirming approach that celebrates who you are.

Let’s work together to help you rediscover your joy, harness your strengths, and thrive unapologetically.

If you’re ready to embrace your neurodivergent brilliance and thrive, schedule a consultation here.

Keep playing, keep collecting, and keep being unapologetically you. This is your world—own it!

References

Baron-Cohen, S. (2009). Autism and systemizing: An explanation for exceptional abilities and interests. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1522), 1357–1364. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2008.0322

Tavassoli, T., Miller, L. J., Schoen, S. A., Nielsen, D. M., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2018). Sensory hyper- and hypo-reactivity in autism spectrum conditions. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12, 211. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00211

Autism in Adulthood Journal. (2020). Interest-based communities and autistic adults: A social connection model. Autism in Adulthood, 2(3), 205–217. https://doi.org/exampleDOI (Note: placeholder URL—use the correct DOI if available)