Time to change perception about the relationship of autism to change?

Just wanted to say thanks for your responses to this post pietro_21 ArchaeC TheCatWoman Expecto_Patronum 190E(Taylor’s version) Damojo 

I'm working my way through how poorly managed organisational changes at work impacted me (and the service the organisation provides) over many years.

As anyone who's been thro' this will perhaps appreciate going back over stressful experiences is itself stressful and this is not the first time I've had to do it.

Thanks all for spending the time to respond.

Your comments much appreciated.

If I may make my own precis of these?

pietro_21 said

people are trying to make sense of their own experience

ArchaeC said:

issue is unpredictability of things

“Fiercely independent” would describe me, although I can’t see how you get that from obstreperous. 

Thecatwoman said:

most people have change foisted upon them with little or no consultation and it adds to a general feeling of the world being out of control

"resistance to change" lable, is a power trip, think about the sorts of people and thier agendas who use this sort of thing? How often is this lable used to discriminate or punish people? Often people might be unaware of any changes made and then get discriminated against because of it.

190E(Taylor'sversion) said:

"as long as I have weeks or months or on rare occasions days notice can be ok"

Damojo said:

"My problem isn't with "change" per se, it's with "unpredictability". The one tends to lead to the other if it's not managed carefully."

"I think predictability is important for a monotropic brain. If I can only focus on one or two things, then I need everything else to happen predictably, so my focus is not diverted. If I cannot focus on what I need to focus on because my limited attention resources are being dragged to things that are happening in ways I did not expect, then I'll start to get overwhelmed and stressed really quickly. I can usually manage, but I'm not functioning nearly as well as I would like. I'm also probably starting to give off the "weirdo" vibe, as I haven't got the resources left to keep the mask in place."

Expecto_Patronum said:

"It's things being unpredictable that I really struggle with. Not knowing what to expect. Or just not making sense. If a change makes sense I'm far more able to manage it. Changes that don't make sense baffle and irritate me. I also do much better with a reason why. If I know why something is changing it's much easier. I do benefit from some processing time for change too, again I think because it lets me know what to expect."

Out of this

The clearest thread is about the need for predictability in autistic life.

Having the change make sense as being a positive one, understand why it is necessary and having enough time to process what is happening is critical.

Consultation and involvement in the change planning is critical for autistic people.

When change is not managed carefully it causes stress which can overwhelm an autistic person's capacity to manage to "keep their sh1t together".

What is called an autistic persons resistance to change is often a way of discriminating/punishing and bullying them. 

The solution to all this might be summed up in an assertion that:

When positive change is necessary for society and for individuals, autistic people thrive when involved in decision-making and given ample notice and time to adjust at their own pace.  

This assertion I would add does not only hold for autistic people.

Google comes up with this:

The assertion that positive change is essential for growth and that people thrive with involvement, sufficient time, and notice for adjustment aligns with principles of change management and psychology, highlighting the importance of participation and autonomy in successfully navigating new situations, fostering better outcomes for individuals and society. 

Google also comes up with this:

Autistic people act as regulators of societal change by bringing unique perspectives and needs that push for greater acceptance, inclusivity, and structural adjustments within society.

If only our collective voice could be listened to and respected!

(hehe - any experience of herding cats TheCatWoman )

Thanks again and best wishes :-)

Thank you for summarising that Phased . Seeing how you and others feel about ‘resistance to change’ has been empowering. 

Thank you for summarising that Phased . Seeing how you and others feel about ‘resistance to change’ has been empowering. 

Thanks ArchaeC   :-)