02/12/2024
Interruptions Matter:
Autistic people, both children and adults, often carefully plan their tasks, actions, and responses. Interruptions can throw off this flow and make it hard to recover. Here are examples of interruptions and their impact:
🧱 Objects being moved before they’ve finished lining them up.
🎨 Being interrupted mid-drawing or while completing a piece of work.
🚶 Someone stopping them mid-walk when they’re moving between rooms.
🗣️ Talking over them before they’ve finished responding.
🎉 A special event being cut short or not going to plan.
🚗 Sudden changes to a journey or route they’d planned.
👗 An unavailable outfit when they’ve already decided what to wear.
📑 Being asked to tidy or answer a question immediately while focused on something else.
These interruptions can feel overwhelming, leading to frustration, anxiety, or even shutdowns. Small adjustments in how we interact can help respect their process and reduce stress
Here’s how you can help:
1️⃣ Pause first – Before interrupting, ask, “Is now a good time?” This shows respect for their focus and gives them the chance to prepare for the interaction.
2️⃣ Be patient – Allow them to complete what they’re doing before asking for their attention. Tasks like talking, drawing, or even walking from one room to another may take time and effort to plan.
3️⃣ Explain why – If an interruption is necessary, provide a clear reason. Saying, “I need to ask you about…” helps them understand the purpose and reduces anxiety about the unknown.
4️⃣ Wait when possible – If the interruption isn’t urgent, give them the space to finish their task. Minimising unnecessary disruptions helps maintain their focus and reduces stress.
By being mindful of interruptions, we can create a more supportive and inclusive world for autistic people. Small changes in how we interact can make a big difference.
