Every Person is Unique: Flow, Special Interests, and Hyperfocus

When I talk to people about someone with certain unique traits, I often hear statements like, “You can’t deal with him, he’s autistic.” Words associated with neurodivergence are used almost exclusively in a negative context.

To clarify, neurodivergent individuals are those whose cognitive and neurological processes differ from the average.

Let’s first break down how these terms are commonly understood in today’s society, using autism as an example.

Stereotypes and Misconceptions

Prejudices against people who exhibit traits commonly associated with neurodivergence often stem from stereotypes. The general perception tends to polarize: on one side, we have successful personalities like Elon Musk; on the other, the idea of individuals entirely "incapable" of functioning in society. The media plays a significant role in this. Movies and TV series often portray characters with autistic traits as genius outsiders.

Another layer of prejudice arises from the way autistic traits are framed as part of an autism spectrum disorder. Discussions revolve around illness, diagnosis, and treatment. Concepts become blurred—either everyone with certain traits is grouped with diagnosed autistics, including those who face significant challenges and cannot function independently (which is a separate topic I do not intend to downplay here), or there is an artificial and unhelpful categorization of individuals with unique traits. There is an excessive and unnecessary effort to simplify this complex subject to create the illusion that we understand it. To me, this seems like the opposite of understanding. Complex questions do not have simple answers.

It is important to emphasize that not everyone who exhibits so-called autistic traits manifests all these characteristics, and if they do, it is to varying degrees. Moreover, not everyone who appears to exhibit an autistic trait is autistic. A unique way of experiencing and interacting with the world requires an individualized approach if we truly want to understand it.

Every person is unique—some exhibit the traits listed below, while others are unique in different ways.

What Are Autistic Traits According to the World Health Organization (WHO)?

To highlight an ongoing issue in modern practices, let’s examine how autism is diagnosed in medical settings.

• Social Interaction Difficulties:
  • Difficulty understanding and using nonverbal communication cues (e.g., eye contact, gestures, facial expressions).
  • Lack of reciprocity in social relationships (e.g., sharing interests or emotions).
• Communication Challenges:
  • Delayed or absent speech development without alternative communication methods (e.g., gestures).
  • Echolalia (repetition of words or phrases).
  • Problems initiating or maintaining a dialogue.
• Repetitive Behaviors and Interests:
  • Strong fixation on routines or rituals.
  • Repetitive movements.
  • Limited or intense focus on specific topics or objects.
• Sensory Processing:
  • Hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to sensory inputs (e.g., sounds, lights, textures).
  • Unusual reactions to sounds, colors, or physical touch.
• Cognitive and Emotional Behavior:
  • Difficulty understanding others' perspectives.
  • Trouble adapting to changes or unexpected events.

When you read this, you may recognize yourself in some of these characteristics. However, this does not mean you are diagnosable as autistic, nor does it mean you have a condition that requires treatment. And it certainly does not mean that it is something that should disqualify you.

Flow, Special Interests, and Hyperfocus

Let’s look at an example of how superficial understanding can lead to confusion in concepts. I am not autistic (I have no reason to think so), but that does not mean that someone looking at my past behavior superficially couldn’t find, for instance, signs of intense interest. Depending on the perspective, elements of this could be seen in a neurotypical person (someone within the average range), a neurodivergent individual (outside the average), or a person with a diagnosable form of autism. It all depends on the context and intensity of the trait. Here, you can see how much confusion exists in commonly used terminology.

To explore this topic further, the differences between an intense interest as an autistic trait, hyperfocus, and flow are often described as follows:

• Flow can be experienced by anyone. It is a short-term state of intense focus and complete immersion in an activity, where a person loses track of time, has a clear goal, feels motivated, and achieves optimal performance.
• Hyperfocus is a short- to medium-term state in which a person is extremely absorbed in an activity to the point of ignoring everything else—time, surroundings, and basic needs. It occurs spontaneously due to a certain stimulus. While it can happen to anyone, it is more commonly associated with neurodivergence. Unlike flow, it is not always productive.
• Special interests are intense, long-term fascinations with specific topics or activities. They provide a sense of security and structure and are often a core part of a person’s identity. They can appear in anyone but are strongly associated with autism.

From a superficial perspective, these states might seem identical. However, if we look deeper, we might find that they are not just three distinct categories but part of a much more complex spectrum.

When I talk or write about my passions, it is something that, to some extent, anyone can experience. Let me share an example of my most intense focus in life. When I was 13 years old, I had such a strong interest in programming and web development that I completely shut out the outside world for several months. Before that, I spent every day playing football or street hockey with friends, but from one day to the next, I withdrew. I spent the entire summer vacation focused on one activity. Creating my own forum using PHP and SQL, followed by a Wikipedia-like platform, was the greatest intellectual adventure I had experienced at that age. I was fascinated by learning something extraordinary that my classmates didn’t know and, at the same time, building something I could later show them—because it would be public on the internet. Eventually, I think one or two of them even registered on my forum. They were among my first users. Needless to say, this was an incredibly significant moment for me at 13 years old. And yes, while focusing on this, I neglected everything else—and it lasted several months. In my environment, this wasn’t considered entirely typical, and I was reminded of this.

In this case, it was a spontaneous yet highly productive focus driven by a strong stimulus and a clear goal. It lasted longer than typical hyperfocus or flow and, to some extent, shaped my identity to this day. What exactly was it? I don’t know.

This example demonstrates the importance of diving deeper into a topic rather than making assumptions based on surface-level observations. In my case, I see elements of multiple categories, and the fact that I can't neatly place it into just one speaks for itself.

Every person is unique

I am not a trained expert in this field, and my post, which broadly includes certain unique traits, does not aim to trivialize the situations of individuals with specific diagnoses—especially those whose condition limits their everyday life and prevents them from functioning independently in this world. My goal was to contribute to better understanding and respect for the diversity of human experience and to highlight how important it is to view every individual as a unique being.

Those with certain unique traits simply perceive the world uniquely, just as everyone perceives it in their own way. There is no need to attach anything with a negative connotation, or the desire to change that person. When we do, we only perpetuate the phenomenon of masking this uniqueness. People around us, such as colleagues, then spend significant energy ensuring their differences don’t show outwardly and conforming to societal norms. Such masking can have profoundly negative consequences for them. Let’s keep this in mind when choosing our words.