#rigidthinking

Practical Strategies and Tips to Support Individuals with Rigid Thinking in Autism As we discussed in our last week’s blog that rigid thinking is a common characteristic of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), affecting approximately 70-90% of individuals with autism. It can manifest in various ways, such as insistence on sameness, resistance to change, and repetitive behaviors. Supporting…

Rigid thinking is a common characteristic of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), affecting approximately 70-90% of individuals with autism. It is marked by a tendency to adhere to strict routines, rules, and patterns of behavior, making it challenging for individuals with autism to adapt to changes or unexpected events. In this blog, we will delve into the concept of rigid thinking and behavior in…

This week on “OMG that’s a Thing?!”

I learned about rigid thinking this week.   

I’ve been going to science-fiction conventions since I was 16 years old.  My first convention was ChattaCon 11, a small town con of excellent repute in those days.  The first time I walked into the consuite I saw a guy dressed as Nightcrawler from the X-Men, leaping across the room.  I’d been reading the X-Men for five years at that point, and to see Nightcrawler come to life right there in front of me almost broke my brain with joy.  I realized in that moment I wasn’t alone, that here were my people, my culture.  And it’s been that way ever since.

Over the years, though, I developed a definite irrational rage about what went on after the dealers had shut down for the night and everyone migrated to the consuite.  Where everyone would be drinking.  A lot of people came to the con only for that aspect.  But I got (and to this day still do get) absolutely enraged at the whole thing.  Irrationally so.  Even at my own dearest friends, people who were all but family to me at the time.  It wasn’t just at cons either.  I cannot stand being around drunk people.  

But I never knew where this came from.  There’s nothing in my past to produce this.  No alcoholism in my family.  Literally no reason I should be this way.  

I don’t and have never drunk alcohol myself because of this.  Nor done any other recreational substances.  I love my Diet Coke with a passion surpassing a thousand suns, but the thought of drinking alcohol just ... no.  To the extent that when I took my jukai vows as a Buddhist, the easiest thing in the world to promise was that I would refrain from intoxicants.  Because I already do.  The thought repels me.  

Now I know why.  

It’s against the rules.  Watching other people breaking rules and the mere suggestion that I myself break them infuriates me.  Because suddenly everything changes around me, people I love become untrustworthy and dangerous, and I can’t handle it.  The distress, the anxiety, are very very real.  

(Mind you, I’m well aware there are no “rules” and no one has made any.  But I never said this was rational.  The human mind is not rational, anyone who tells you different is trying to sell you a philosophy doctorate cheap.)

If I ever needed any more proof that what I already have that I’m Autistic, this is it.  I can’t change this, I’ve tried, I’ve tried so many times to convince myself intellectually that this reaction isn’t valid or based on any real reason.  But it’s never worked.  Usually I just leave at that point, go up to my room if I’m staying at the con, get a pizza or some food, and read whatever I bought that day in the dealer’s room.  Alone.  

I’m the same way about other relatively harmless recreational substances.  

I also have trouble switching tasks, dealing with interruptions, and black-and-white thinking.  So yeah.  We’ll just put a big fat green checkmark on that one, shall we?  

Now I’m just... all these years I spent furious at people I had no business being furious at.  All these years not being “normal”.  Never knowing what was “wrong” with me.  Now I know I’m just wired this way.  I’m not “wrong” or “broken” or what have you.  This is just... the way I am.