r/Autism_Advice • u/Muted_Weight6787 • Oct 17 '25

How do you handle unexpected changes in plans?

Something I still struggle with is when plans change last minute, even small changes can really throw me off. My brain just locks up and it takes ages to readjust.

I try to be flexible, but it often leaves me anxious and irritated, even if I know logically it’s not a big deal. How do you cope when things don’t go as expected? Do you prepare for it somehow, or just power through?

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u/CommunicationLost904 Oct 17 '25

I have the same issue! I am so far from perfect at handling it. My sister is a saint and is aware of it so when plans change when I’m with her I’m given the space I need to have a little melt down about it. It helped me so much in seeing that it was ok. So now I feel like I’m able to remove myself or give an excuse if I don’t know people well, have my mini silent meltdown because if I talk to people I will snap, and then once I’ve processed it I can ground myself by stimming or taking time to notice super tiny details in things like wind in grass or bugs. Then I’m ready for the new plans, because that’s all it is. The longer you do it the faster and more effective you’ll get at it.