How does insistence on sameness affect coping with change for autistic people?

PostedDecember 10, 2025

UpdatedDecember 10, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Beatrice Holloway, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

The relationship between sameness and coping change in autism plays a key role in how autistic individuals manage life’s unpredictability. While sameness offers comfort and security, it can also make adapting to change extremely difficult. In many cases, sameness and coping change in autism are at odds: what soothes the mind in one moment may block emotional growth in another.

For autistic people, routines aren’t just habits: they’re stabilisers. When these are disrupted, even slightly, it can lead to confusion, distress, or shutdown. Everyday events like changing classrooms, altering morning routines, or introducing new foods can become major emotional hurdles. These are common features of transitions in autism, often requiring significant preparation.

One approach involves adapting autism sameness gradually introducing small, manageable changes within a routine to help build emotional tolerance. Over time, this can help reduce reactivity to change. However, this process must be gentle and consistent, or it may trigger resistance.

Much of this difficulty stems from flexibility and autism challenges, particularly in how the brain processes uncertainty. When sameness becomes a way to avoid discomfort rather than a healthy routine, it may limit resilience.

Indicators of Struggle with Change

Signs that insistence on sameness is impacting adaptability may include:

Outbursts or withdrawal when plans change unexpectedly

Repetitive questioning to regain a sense of control

Somatic symptoms, like stomach aches or headaches

Rigid rituals becoming more intense before transitions

Recognising these behaviours can guide more supportive planning.

Visit providers like Autism Detect for personal consultations and routine support.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Insistence on Sameness.

Beatrice Holloway, MSc

Author

Beatrice Holloway is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a BS in Applied Psychology. She specialises in CBT, psychological testing, and applied behaviour therapy, working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delays, and learning disabilities, as well as adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, OCD, and substance use disorders. Holloway creates personalised treatment plans to support emotional regulation, social skills, and academic progress in children, and delivers evidence-based therapy to improve mental health and well-being across all ages.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.