Changes and Autism

One of  the big things someone on the spectrum hates is change.  And so do cats, for that matter.  Last night my duvet was over the end of my bed and further over the end.  Tara our small cat was terrified and wouldn’t come into the bedroom to start with, even though she desperately wanted to.  Ok, let’s get back to what I was actually going to talk about.

As I was saying, change is hard for people on the spectrum.  To move from one activity to another suddenly can cause terrible anguish for them.  And it really DOES feel like anguish to them.  They have something deep inside them that tells them this is a need so they can react in ways that are unexpected by the person looking after them.

When there is a big change - for example moving from nursery to school, transitions are difficult.  The child may not demonstrate the anxiety they are feeling, but they have a need to really know and understand what is happening.  Because they need to know where everything is going to be and how they would get from one place to another in the new place they will be going to.  So doing what was called “an enhanced transition” when Johnathan was due to go to school was essential.

Now, even WITH the enhanced transition Johnathan struggled with the idea of the change.  And he ended up not sleeping and getting really grumpy and irritable before he started.  We knew it was the impending change bothering him.  And that he was actually ok.  I did let the school know there was an issue and his anxiety can be completely overwhelming to him.

One of the things I find difficult before the start of the school year, is that the clubs CLOSE two weeks before the children start the new school year.  Now I do understand that it’s great for children not on the spectrum to prepare them for the year.  They go out and get everything they need and get bags sorted and packed and try new school clothes on.

But for a child on the spectrum, the truth is that it gives them two weeks to stew about the fact a new school year is starting.  I do believe that generally, most adults looking after a child on the spectrum would not try clothes on them in a shop. Shoes have to be measured properly of course, but other than that, I don’t think people will try clothes and bags on in a shop.  Much better to do it in the safety of your own home and deal with any resulting meltdowns there, rather than in a shop.

As always, each child is individual, but working out what works for that person is not only rewarding, but when you discover a way to deal with changes that the child handles, remember that it won’t always work, and that you need to be prepared for the time when the child grows up a bit more and that solution changes.