Why Are Routines So Important for Autistic People?

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In life, things can often be unpredictable, and we learn to face things that we might not be prepared for. But for autistic people, that can be very difficult, and there needs to be some structure for the best person they can be to come out. In this blog, we will discuss why routines are very important and what steps you can take to help.

What is the importance of routines for autistic people?

Routines are important for autistic people to help them live their day-to-day lives. It provides predictability and control. This helps reduce the chance of sensory overload, which can be debilitating.

Creates a sense of control

Routines help to create a sense of control for autistic people during work and day-to-day life. For instance, employers can ensure things like job roles and daily tasks are clearly laid out for autistic individuals when they first enter the workplace. In this example, it is vital to sit down and speak to the person to plan out their day and to make sure that everything on the list is perfect before implementing the routine. Having routines that do not hastily change much creates a sense of control, and that sense of control can prevent confusion and shutdowns in autistic individuals. 

There is not much we can control in our real world, so having a sense of routine throughout work and leisure time can help a lot in boosting happiness and productivity. Even completing simple tasks like brushing your teeth or having a bath can feel like a real achievement, and that the person has taken control.

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Helps to provide predictability

Predictability can be very soothing for autistic people as, depending on care level, they may not take change very well. Having a routine that is more or less the same things day after day is very comforting. This also helps build productivity skills and prepares the individual for work because they know what they are doing and when. 

This sense of predictability can also prevent shutdowns in case that sense goes away and they are faced with a challenge. Helping an autistic person with their routine is also a great step into keeping it flowing. An employer can make sure the lunch hour is always the same, and they always have the same workload day after day. Providing a sense of predictability in the workplace and in social situations promotes calmness and prevents workplace mishaps. This is one of the vital things to look for when planning out a routine and sticking by it.

Reduces risk of sensory overload

Sensory overload is when an autistic person gets overstimulated by the environment that they are in, trigging anxiety and a sense of helplessness in the person. How sensory overload occurs varies from person to person. 

Routine change is a big factor in triggering sensory overload, as the person might not have come across the task before, so they are worrying quite a lot on their own. Some autistic people might find it hard to ask for help, as they fear it might affect their standing at the workplace. Symptoms of sensory overload include being irritable, extreme anxiety on the verge of tears and in some, laboured breathing. Therefore, having a rigid set routine without any setbacks is vital to help autistic people navigate and thrive in the workplace and in life.

If you see someone having sensory overload, ask what you can do to help and fix their routine so it does not happen as often.

Reduces stress and anxiety 

Stress and anxiety are horrible to have for anybody, but for autistic people, it can be amplified tenfold. Maintaining a proper and predictable routine can help a lot in preventing stress and anxiety. When you see that someone is experiencing major stress due to a change in their routine, the first step is to assure them that they are doing well and that there is nothing to be afraid of. It is a very good idea to have a quiet room somewhere in the place of employment where they can decompress and, after they have calmed down, talk to them calmly about what could be done to prevent further stress in the future.

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How can you successfully maintain routines?

Overall, it is quite easy to maintain routines; there are a lot of tools available today that can help you track your to-do list, and employers are now more accommodating to autistic people. There are a lot of programs and apps available to jot down routines, and you can share them with your employer. 

Giving a copy of your routine to your employer can’t help you successfully maintain it and prevent sensory overload and shutdowns. Discussing with people ahead of time about changes in your routine can also help. Setting realistic goals and having them laid out clearly is a good way of staying consistent with your routines. Make sure to also put down clear goals and make sure those goals are the same each time.

Conclusion

Routines are very important for the health and happiness of autistic individuals. Routines help with productivity. If you think you might be autistic, please take this autism test. Please visit the Exceptional Individuals website with for more information about Autism how you could put this into practice this in the workplace.