it’s like. I used to think my autism didn’t really include the need for routine but what I’ve found is that when it’s a Planned divergence in routine that’s fine (going on trips etc) and when I can Choose to divert my routine bc I know I can handle it that’s also fine (like deciding to go out for drinks or deciding to go to a movie or deciding to change dinner plans). but when Other People or Circumstances change my routine without prior warning that’s when my brain goes absolutely fucking insane.
and I feel like that’s not talked about enough bc I’ve always seen “needs routine” represented as someone who is unwilling to divert from their routine when like. no it’s absolutely fine just as long as I’m the one deciding when and how to divert it or I’ve been given plenty of advance warning that it’ll be changing.
A cat may go in a box of its own accord but it does not want to be put in a box
