Change affects us all. Anything from a delayed flight to a broken phone can bring frustration, panic and anxiety to the best of us. When times are chaotic and things go opposite of the norm, it becomes harder to cope and keep calm.
Change is especially hard for a person with Autism.
Yesterday, the therapist was running late for the usual 4 o'clock session. The parents had already arrived and the child was waiting patiently until the clock hit 4. In a few minutes, the child started crying and asking where the therapist was over and over again. It was like their whole world had stopped. It was not until the therapist arrived had the child stopped crying.
Routines and rituals are important in the lives of people with Autism. The everyday hustle and bustle that most people view as normal can be overwhelming for those on the spectrum. A daily routine helps create stability and order and gives a clear expectation of what is going to happen everyday. These routines can be any big or small habits like eating at the same type of food for lunch to watching a movie at the same time everyday.
Sometimes even minor changes between these activities or routines can be distressing. Different people on the spectrum respond differently to change. Some exhibit withdrawal, repetitive behaviors, tantrums, or even aggression, while others shut themselves down completely. It is important to remember that these behaviors are typically the result of extreme anxiety and/or inability to communicate their emotions and desires.
When a situation goes out of hand or there is an unexpected change in routine, therapists recommend re-directing the person to a different activity as soon as possible and telling them that the situation cannot be changed. When the therapist was a bit late, the supervisor redirected the child to a different activity like reading a book and told them that “Ella will be here in a few minutes”. Every time the child would ask again, the supervisor would simply ask a question about the book or ask the child to read a page out loud.
Visual schedules and timers can also help prepare for change by clearly laying out what is happening and when it is happening. These visual supports can help a child understand the order of daily events, the steps involved in daily living skills and any changes in routine that may occur throughout the day.
We cannot control change, but we can do everything to help those on the spectrum be more flexible and tolerant of change.
Change is especially hard for a person with Autism.
Yesterday, the therapist was running late for the usual 4 o'clock session. The parents had already arrived and the child was waiting patiently until the clock hit 4. In a few minutes, the child started crying and asking where the therapist was over and over again. It was like their whole world had stopped. It was not until the therapist arrived had the child stopped crying.
Routines and rituals are important in the lives of people with Autism. The everyday hustle and bustle that most people view as normal can be overwhelming for those on the spectrum. A daily routine helps create stability and order and gives a clear expectation of what is going to happen everyday. These routines can be any big or small habits like eating at the same type of food for lunch to watching a movie at the same time everyday.
Sometimes even minor changes between these activities or routines can be distressing. Different people on the spectrum respond differently to change. Some exhibit withdrawal, repetitive behaviors, tantrums, or even aggression, while others shut themselves down completely. It is important to remember that these behaviors are typically the result of extreme anxiety and/or inability to communicate their emotions and desires.
When a situation goes out of hand or there is an unexpected change in routine, therapists recommend re-directing the person to a different activity as soon as possible and telling them that the situation cannot be changed. When the therapist was a bit late, the supervisor redirected the child to a different activity like reading a book and told them that “Ella will be here in a few minutes”. Every time the child would ask again, the supervisor would simply ask a question about the book or ask the child to read a page out loud.
Visual schedules and timers can also help prepare for change by clearly laying out what is happening and when it is happening. These visual supports can help a child understand the order of daily events, the steps involved in daily living skills and any changes in routine that may occur throughout the day.
We cannot control change, but we can do everything to help those on the spectrum be more flexible and tolerant of change.
Good Illustration and explanation
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