What are the risks of not having regular routines?
Studies have linked being inactive with being overweight and obese, type 2 diabetes, some types of c Read More
Why do autistic people hate change in routine?
Deangelo Strosin
2025-08-17 22:41:18
Count answers
: 13
Difficulties with change and uncertainty are not specific to autism, but research suggests that many autistic people find uncertain situations particularly difficult, and very likely to cause anxiety. Uncertainty about changes and transition can be difficult for everyone but for some people a feeling of uncertainty can be particularly stressful and upsetting. The anxiety over this may make you less able to manage the change and uncertainty. Some autistic people find uncertainty so stressful and upsetting that they do everything to avoid it, for example refusing school or going to social events. Having sensory sensitivities and being unsure if these sensory triggers will be part of any new situations. These changes and feelings of uncertainty may be an addition to other aspects of anxiety for autistic people.
Adrien Klein
2025-08-06 18:52:54
Count answers
: 15
Children with ASD often prefer to have a sense of structure and to know what to expect during the day and what activity they will be doing and when. Consistency and predictability help children feel reassured that they know what will happen next. When change occurs, children with ASD may respond in a variety of ways, including exhibiting withdrawal, repetitive behaviors, tantrums, or even aggression. It is important to remember that these behaviors are typically the result of extreme anxiety and/or inability to communicate their emotions/desires. Change, especially unexpected change, can be extremely stressful for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Read also
What do autistic routines look like?
Examples of this can include following set routines and rituals – examples include eating the same m Read More
Darrell Langosh
2025-08-01 06:09:44
Count answers
: 14
Rigidity in the way autistic people can think may make it difficult for them to compromise or cope with changes in routine. Having a routine provides predictability and comfort; it is a way of reducing anxiety. Therefore, they may struggle if other people change their minds after plans have been arranged or turn up late. This can cause immense frustration. It can be difficult to understand other people’s perceptions of situations, therefore what they feel is appropriate, may be considered as socially unacceptable. They may struggle to see other people’s perceptions of situations. They may become particularly anxious in certain social situations.
Meda Wuckert
2025-07-22 18:26:51
Count answers
: 20
Many autistic people find unexpected changes in routine difficult. Having routines can help to ease anxiety around certain situations. Having consistency in situations can help autistic people to deal with them more easily. For some autistic people, a change in routine, however small, could lead to anxiety. Neurotypical people are able to adjust more easily to change. Setting up a routine can help to reduce stress around the uncertainty, set clear goals and create habit. Changes are inevitable in life. Proactively preparing for big changes can help to limit the impact of the change.
Read also
Why is it important to escape routine?
Sometimes breaking your routine is really important. Sometimes life, energy, and creativity are foun Read More
What's the difference between ritual and routine?
The difference between routine and ritual is subtle, yet profound. It’s not what we do but more how Read More
Jeremy Gottlieb
2025-07-14 22:07:51
Count answers
: 14
All autistic people are different and they don’t necessarily have the same preferences or behaviours, nor the same support needs. But it is common for autistic people to show preferences for order, predictability or routine. Examples of this can include following set routines and rituals – examples include eating the same meals each day, doing tasks in the same order, using the same items, taking the same route to school or work, children asking the same questions to hear the same answers for reassurance. For things to be in order – for example, collections are well organised, toys are lined up, no sudden changes are made to schedules. Knowing what is going to happen in detail – for example, the order of events, which bus or train you are going to catch, what you are going to eat, which people are going to be at an event, and when you can leave. For information to be precise, accurate and make sense, so that what is going to happen is predictable – the bus turns up on time, there are clear rules that make sense and that everyone follows.