Many of us may feel a twinge of frustration when plans change or things don’t go the way we expected them to. However, this twinge of frustration can often feel more like a massive wave of overwhelming anxiety for children with autism.
That doesn’t mean parents need to feel stuck in a routine that isn’t working, though. If you’d like to implement a change, there are some ways to help your child through the transition and come to appreciate the new elements in their routine. Read on for more insight.
How Does Change Affect a Child with Autism?
Children with autism often thrive on routine and predictability, as structured environments help them feel safe and in control. Sudden changes — no matter how small — can be overwhelming and lead to anxiety, frustration, or meltdowns. When we understand how change can impact a child with autism, we can provide the right support to minimize stress for our families.
What Is an Example of a Change in Routine?
Changes that may seem minor to neurotypical adults can be significant for a child with autism. For example, having a substitute teacher at preschool, a favorite cereal being out of stock, or taking a different route home can cause anxiety and frustration.
Sensory-related changes, such as a new soap or different lighting in a room, may also be overwhelming. Even positive changes, like attending a birthday party or going on a vacation, can be stressful due to unfamiliar environments and disruptions in routine.
5 Reasons Change Can Impact Children With Autism
One of the best things to do is understand how each change might affect a child with autism. Knowing how autism works can help parents use empathy to soften the transition.
1. Difficulty with Predictability and Routine
Children with autism often rely on routines — predictability helps them understand what to expect. When routines change, it can create anxiety because the child may struggle to process what comes next. This uncertainty can lead to distress, resistance, or meltdowns.
We can help make these transitions easier by using visual schedules, discussing adjustments out loud, or showing countdown timers to signal upcoming changes. Providing advance notice whenever possible and maintaining consistency in other areas of the child’s routine can help create a sense of stability, even when certain parts of the routine shift.
2. Challenges With Flexible Thinking
Cognitive rigidity, or difficulty with flexible thinking, can make it hard for children with autism to adapt to new situations. A sudden change can be distressing because it requires mental flexibility. This challenge can make transitions overwhelming and trigger frustration.
To support flexibility, you can encourage gradual exposure by slowly introducing changes over time. Role-playing scenarios, using social stories, or playing problem-solving games can also help children build adaptable thinking skills. Reinforcing small successes with praise or rewards is another way to encourage a child to develop a greater tolerance for change.
3. Sensory Sensitivities
Many children with autism have heightened sensory sensitivities, making even minor changes in their environment overwhelming. A different brand of clothing, a new classroom setup, or a change in background noise can be distressing for them. These sensory shifts can lead to discomfort, anxiety, or even avoidance behaviors as they try to distance themselves from the stressor.
You can help by gradually introducing sensory changes, allowing your child to adjust at their own pace. Providing sensory tools like noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, or familiar comfort items can also give them an outlet for sensory stimulation. Recognizing and accommodating sensory needs helps children feel better equipped to handle change.
4. Difficulty With Processing New Information
Children with autism often take longer to process new information, which can make sudden changes feel overwhelming. If a schedule shifts unexpectedly or a caregiver phrases instructions differently, a child may struggle to understand what is happening.
To help children process new information, try to provide clear explanations using simple language and visual supports. Repeating information calmly and giving children extra time to process changes can also help reduce stress. Finally, we can help children build resilience by practicing small adjustments in daily life.
5. Emotional Regulation Challenges
Change can be emotionally overwhelming for children with autism, as it can bring up feelings of frustration, anxiety, or sadness. Without strong self-regulation skills, even small transitions — such as a change in snack time — can lead to emotional distress.
You can support emotional regulation by teaching your child coping strategies, such as deep breathing, counting, or using a calm-down corner. We want to validate our children’s feelings and can try to coach them through big emotions with skills or favorite activities and objects.
Over time, building these self-regulation skills can help them handle change with greater confidence and reduced stress.
How To Introduce Changes in Routine for Children With Autism
ABA therapy is an effective way to help children with autism navigate changes in routine. Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) can use research-backed techniques to create tailored approaches based on each child’s needs.
These techniques may include the following:
- Gradual Exposure: For example, if a child will be switching classrooms, they may visit the new room beforehand, increasing exposure over time while using social stories to explain the change.
- Visual Supports: Supports such as a picture schedule that shows the new routine can help prepare children for what to expect.
- Positive Reinforcement: Positive reactions like praise or a small reward for adapting can encourage more flexibility.
Conclusion
Changes in routine can be challenging for children with autism, but with the right strategies, they can learn to navigate transitions more comfortably. Understanding the underlying reasons for their difficulties — such as sensory sensitivities, cognitive rigidity, and processing challenges — can help parents to provide thoughtful support.
With the help of licensed professionals, ABA-based techniques like visual aids and gradual exposure can also make change less overwhelming. By creating a structured, supportive environment, you can help your child with autism develop the flexibility and confidence they need to adapt to new experiences.
Brad Zelinger is the founder and CEO of Stride Autism Centers.
