Pro Tips provided by Johanna Shaflucas, M.S.Ed., BCBA

Change is an inevitable part of life, whether it’s a vacation to a different place, plans that are cancelled at the last minute, or the start of a new school year. For individuals with autism who crave predictability, change can be especially challenging. Below are some tips that may help your child cope with change.  

1. Understand that change is often dysregulating for autistic people.

Change can trigger a fight, flight, or freeze response which essentially takes the thinking part of the brain offline. Trying to “reason” with your child or teach them skills in the moment won’t work. 

2. Offer plenty of support and reassurance. 

Give your child time and space to adjust and process. This could mean playing with a sensory toy, listening to music, or other calming strategies. When they’re in a regulated state, ask them questions about how they feel and encourage them to share their thoughts. Let them know you understand how hard it is to try something new and that you’re proud of their effort. 

3. Build flexibility and resilience by introducing small changes.

Try driving a different route to a known destination or switching up the location of a household item or piece of furniture. Read to them at the same time as you usually do but introduce a new book. Play a familiar game and change one of the rules. With whatever small change you incorporate, be sure to provide plenty of praise. 

4. Prepare in advance for expected changes. This can look like: 

• Mark events and appointments on a calendar your child can easily see.
• Write and review a short story about an upcoming event. For example: “Sometimes I need a haircut to keep my hair neat. The barber will use clippers to trim my hair. It might sound and feel strange, but it won’t hurt. My mom will stay with me. I’ll have my favorite toy in my lap.” 
• Look at photos before going someplace new. If possible, visit the location ahead of time. 
• Try to incorporate choices around the change. For example, “After the doctor, do you want to go home or go to the playground?” 
• Acknowledge and reinforce their efforts with a preferred activity or item. 

5. Model appropriate reactions to unexpected changes. 

Your response to change is a powerful way to teach emotional flexibility, particularly for children who may need to see calm responses in action to understand them. If you’ve planned a trip to the playground and it’s raining, you might say, “It’s raining, so we can’t go to the playground. I’m feeling a little upset, but I’m going to take a few deep breaths to feel better. Let’s come up with a fun activity to do inside.” 

It’s important to note that some individuals can experience severe reactions to change. Please consult with a professional if your child exhibits self-injurious or aggressive behaviors.