Autumn is a fantastic time of year. For starters, you can go outside without getting hot and sweaty, but you can also wear sweaters (sweater weather is stunning). There is always that lovely sound of leaves crunching underfoot, and the endless supply of pumpkin and apple treats at coffee shops and bakeries is divine. However, autumn is a transition. The northern hemisphere is switching from the hot summer into the cold winter as the Earth’s tilt spins us away from the sun. Thinking about this celestial transition made me remember many of my transitions — particularly how much I despised them. Of course, I realized autism has once again snuck up on me. So, let’s transition into transitions with autism.
Two aspects of transitions can be challenging for individuals with autism. The first is the often rigidity (myself included) of individuals with autism. Most individuals with autism follow a strict schedule, usually times down to minute details. I keep my calendar with everything scheduled, from classes and meetings to travel time and meals! Having a nice and strict schedule lets me control what is happening and prepare for what is to come. However, if my schedule is to fall apart, I get stuck and flounder. I end up wasting time, quickly falling into a TikTok scrolling spiral, lying around all day, and probably eating a lot of junk food (whoops). Part of the need for control arises from the stress of entering an unknown social situation, which is always a fear for individuals with autism.
Another aspect of transitions that scares autism in me is the threat of a cute little attack of executive dysfunction (also a common symptom of ADHD). Executive dysfunction is a cognitive condition that makes it challenging to initiate tasks. For example, simply getting out of bed in the morning could be problematic if I don’t have my routine. Alternatively, when getting ready to go to bed, my brain won’t turn off, and I can’t sleep if I don’t follow my routine.
While transitions can be terrifying (and I mean TERRIFYING), there are many ways that individuals with autism can prepare for transitions. My favorite is to plan out many possibilities in a transition and what might happen in each scenario. Another aspect is to have a plan to make the plan (I love some meta-plans). I will have a template for all types of transitions and scenarios (I have ones for school and cleaning and even a set of templates I lend out to people who might need one).
Individuals with autism often have trouble in new situations, like transitions. When things don’t go as planned, change at the last minute, or force me into an unknown situation, it can be challenging, especially if there are social interactions. Out of a routine can cause all sorts of problems, but there are strategies we can use to improve how we fare in these transitions. So the next time you cancel plans with someone with autism, on behalf of all of us, please give us 3-5 business years to prepare!
