autistic-af:

“I Don’t Have a Routine”

For those who are seeking diagnosis, think they might be autistic or are already diagnosed/self-diagnosed but just confused

Routines/rituals aren’t just getting up at the same time every day.

What can routines look like for an autistic (just general examples, not an exhaustive list):

• Getting dressed in the same order. A change of this feels very upsetting.
• Eating your food in a particular way. This may be eating each food individually, combining food in certain ways, not letting foods touch etc .
• Getting ready for the day in a very particular way, specifically the order and time given to each activity. Being forced to rush or skip an activity is very upsetting.
• Only going to certain shops, even if they are out of your way, because you’ve been there before. The same shop in a different suburb is too distressing.
• Driving the same route to places. Suggested short cuts, or lane changing without mental preparation etc is very distressing. You would rather stay in the slow lane you 100% know takes you home than go down a new street.
• Showering/bathing in the same order.
• Stacking dishes or cleaning in a very specific order such as sink first, then counters, then stove etc. This order feels important but you cannot state why.
• Work plans or school plans are day specific. You struggle to do banking on a Thursday, because that’s a Friday activity, even though Thursday is just fine. But it’s a Friday activity…so can’t do it today.

To outsiders these routines/rituals seem to have no purpose but they are sacrosanct to the autistic individual. Changes must be given time, with lots of notifications and check-ups to ensure we’re accepting the changes.