Autistic Joy

A concept articulated by Elliot Wassell and widely discussed in autistic communities describing the intense, absorbing pleasure autistic people can experience in special interests, sensory engagement, deep focus, and preferred modes of working. Autistic joy is typically framed positively and generatively, in contrast to clinical descriptions that pathologise the same experiences as "obsessive" or "rigid". In accessibility and inclusive design, foregrounding autistic joy reframes design goals beyond barrier removal: tools that let users indulge colour-coded spreadsheets, aesthetic customisation, or list-ticking satisfaction can transform tasks like moneywork or household management from sources of anxiety into sources of agency and flourishing.