Recently, I am beginning to discover the importance of not only having a routine but also respecting the routines of myself and others as it is a coping mechanism in many that have different challenges in life. The rigidity may vary from person to person, but in the end, it is vital to ensuring that the day runs as smoothly as possible without additional stress or friction.

As a child, I strictly adhered to routines and in fact when they weren’t respected by others or adhered to in the way that I felt that they needed to, panic and anxiety ensued at times ending in a severe meltdown. This was many times before having my autism diagnosis nor was there understanding that a person who cold be as able to communicate as I did,  yet things such as this were such a struggle, making me seen as emotionally disturbed for acting in such a manner.

Then as life evolved, life events happened, numerous psychiatric hospitalizations, a residential placement and a school year surrounding the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks amid being in a new school that had many other issues that caused disrupted my routine allowed me to become more flexible than I was as a younger child.

After graduating High School, for the most part until I moved out on my own, my routine was aligned to my parents needs and as such when I was left to myself, things were very unusual when it came to having a routine because I felt so liberated, some of that included the lack of seriousness of taking my medication and there were even times when I was acting in such a way with my family that along with not being able to understand the necessity of my mental health medications playing a crucial part in being able to get through the challenges of life.

And while the past six years of abnormality of not having a total routine was indeed complex and challenging, one thing that I did learn while in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic from our state’s Secretary of Health was that autistic people thrive off routines and how disruption can be challenging. While in fact I was not totally able to comprehend that years ago, now in a better mindset I can see that there is a great deal of validity to that statement.

While one’s rigidity to their routine may vary, there is proven facts that having routines is a successful way in ensuring that things are done that need to be done, especially when you live independently. While disruptions can at times be challenging  as well, I am learning to be more  accepting of the need to be flexible when the situation calls for it. I now understand the Importance of developing, having, adhering and respecting my routine along with the routines of my peers and colleagues that need them to be successful in life.