What role does self-advocacy play in managing insistence on sameness for autistic people?

PostedDecember 10, 2025

UpdatedDecember 10, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

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

The role of autism and self-advocacy is becoming increasingly recognised in supporting individuals who experience strong sameness demands. By learning to express needs clearly, autistic people can create environments that feel safe and predictable. At the same time, autism and self-advocacy provides tools for handling change, building confidence, and reducing stress when routines shift.

Experts note that coping with sameness demands is easier when autistic individuals can communicate what helps them feel comfortable. This may involve requesting extra preparation time for changes or asking for visual aids to clarify routines. Developing these skills also strengthens independence in autism, as people become more confident in explaining their needs at school, work, or in social life. Over time, self-advocacy supports self-management in autism, giving individuals a greater sense of control over how they navigate change while reducing conflict and anxiety.

How self-advocacy helps in practice

Here are a few ways self-advocacy can support management of sameness demands:

Clear communication

Expressing preferences about routines or changes helps others provide appropriate support.

Requesting accommodations

Asking for tools such as visual schedules or transition warnings can reduce stress.

Building resilience

Advocating for needs in different settings fosters confidence and prepares individuals for new situations.

By encouraging self-advocacy, families and professionals can empower autistic people to take ownership of their routines in positive ways.

Visit providers like Autism Detect for personal consultations and tailored guidance.

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.