How are delayed gratification and saving for later modelled for autism? 

According to the NHS, many autistic people experience differences in how they understand routines, structure and everyday tasks, which can shape how they plan for or work towards future events. NICE guidance also explains that autistic people may process information differently, particularly in areas like sequencing, planning and managing uncertainty. 

Understanding the concept 

Delayed gratification means waiting for a more valuable reward rather than taking an immediate one. Saving for later is a practical example of this. Many autistic people experience executive function differences such as planning, inhibitory control and remembering future goals. A 2023 study in PubMed by Smith, et al., (2023) exploring emotional regulation and executive function describes how these processes are closely linked in autistic people, which can influence how someone manages waiting or switching between tasks. 

The National Autistic Society notes that many autistic people prefer predictability and routine. When a future reward feels uncertain, abstract or poorly defined, waiting for it may become harder. 

Evidence and impact 

Research on delay discounting provides useful insights. A study published in Autism Research found that autistic adolescents and adults discounted delayed monetary rewards more steeply than non-autistic peers, suggesting that future rewards may feel less valuable. 

A recent experimental study in PubMed explored how reward certainty affects motivation. The researchers found that as delays increased, rewards felt less predictable for both autistic and non-autistic adults. This helps explain why “saving for later” may feel less motivating when the delayed outcome does not feel solid or guaranteed. 

Additional research by Matyjek, et al., (2020) examining reward anticipation found that autistic traits were linked to differences in the motivational “wanting” phase but not in the enjoyment of the reward itself. This may contribute to differences in working now for a later outcome. 

Practical support and approaches 

The NHS highlights that autistic people often benefit from concrete, structured and visually clear information. Visual schedules and timetables are widely used in UK clinical and education settings to support understanding of sequences and waiting. 

Examples from UK NHS and NHS-informed services include: 

• Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust visual schedules 

• NHS Borders visual schedule guidance 

• Lincolnshire Children’s Therapy Services 

• CAMHS North Derbyshire routines support 

• Autism Toolbox visual supports 

These tools work by externalising time and sequence. Instead of relying on memory or verbal instructions alone, the person can see what comes first, next and later. This makes future rewards feel concrete and predictable. 

Common approaches include: 

• First–next–later boards 

• Token systems toward a chosen activity 

• Visual timetables placing the preference later in the sequence 

These strategies are consistent with NICE recommendations on adapting communication and structuring information for autistic people. 

Challenges and considerations 

The National Autistic Society notes that when communication relies heavily on spoken instructions or when routines change unexpectedly, autistic people may experience increased stress. Long or uncertain waits can increase anxiety and make emotional regulation more difficult. 

Visual supports help reduce these challenges by providing stable, predictable cues that can be revisited as needed. For children and adults with strong reactions to change, starting with very short waits and building gradually is essential. 

How services can help 

The NHS and UK autism services emphasise the importance of predictable routines, clear sequencing and visual communication. These approaches can help autistic people build skills for planning ahead and feeling more confident about what will happen later. 

For autistic adults, visual diaries, structured planning tools and consistent routines can support independence in daily life, reduce uncertainty and help with organising tasks that involve a future reward or outcome. 

Takeaway 

Delayed gratification and saving for later can be more challenging for autistic people when routines feel unpredictable or the future outcome seems unclear. According to NHS, NICE and NAS guidance, visual supports, clear structure and predictable routines make future outcomes more concrete and understandable. By breaking tasks into small, achievable steps and modelling waiting within familiar routines, families and professionals can support autistic people to develop these skills in a way that respects their strengths and communication preferences. 

If you or someone you support would benefit from early identification or structured autism guidance, visit Autism Detect, a UK-based platform offering professional assessment tools and evidence-informed support for autistic individuals and families.