Why are people with autism so resistant to change in routine?

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Of all the features of autism this one intrigues me the most. People with autism are known for strict adherence to a particular routine and any break in routine is very stressful to them and this even extends to diet wherein they will only want to eat very specific foods and nothing else. What’s the science behind this?

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Anonymous 0 Comments

Take this example: You know how if you’re in a really noisy, crowded place, it can be super overwhelming? Like, there’s so much going on you can’t focus on anything and it’s just exhausting? Well, for a lot of people with autism, their brains have a hard time filtering out **unnecessary information**. So even ordinary situations can feel like that super crowded, noisy place.

Having a strict routine helps create a sense of predictability and control in a world that can often feel overwhelmingly chaotic. It’s like having a map in a really confusing city. If you know exactly where you’re going and what you’re doing, it’s a lot less stressful than if you’re just wandering around aimlessly.

As for the food thing, that often ties into sensory issues. People with autism might be more sensitive to certain textures, smells, or tastes. So, they might find a lot of foods unpleasant or even unbearable.

**TL;DR**: Autistic brains have trouble filtering info, making the world feel chaotic. Routines help them have a little control over all the unknown variables of daily life.

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