Is the ability to cognitively think about something in a different way, to adapt to new, changing, or unplanned events.

This translates as a difficulty to change ones mind, see things from a different perspective or adjust to a new situation which differs from what was expected. Autistic individuals have very concrete, literal and absolute thinking, which when challenged, can lead to extremely high levels of anxiety and associated behaviours.

Watch out for :

• High levels of anxiety in response to a change in routine, for example a different teacher, or change of lesson.
• Obsessive planning
• Enjoyment in repetitive behaviours such as order of dressing / eating
• An over reliance on rules and routines and anxiety if rules are being broken
• Difficulties with choices
• E.g. Spending too long ensuring homework or hairstyle is totally perfect
• A tendency to control interactions and activities- this could be a conversation or a club activity. Control is easier to manage as it needs little compromise to the points of view/ thoughts/feelings of others.
• Liking to follow own ideas, resistant to following the ideas of others or compromising.
• Difficulties following long sets of instructions. These will need to be chunked into smaller steps.