Comfort, Familiarity and Autism

Explore comfort, familiarity and autism through gentle reflections, interactive perspectives and practical support ideas. Identify meaningful interests, routines and objects, consider what helps when things change, and create a downloadable comfort map to communicate your preferences, needs and personal boundaries.

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Familiar routines, meaningful objects and dedicated interests can be sources of reassurance and enjoyment for autistic people. Everyone is different. You do not have to enjoy a fixed routine or have a particular interest for your needs to matter.

Explore a source of comfort

Choose a possibility. There is no requirement to choose them all.

What feels familiar or reassuring to you?

Turn over a perspective

When something needs to change

Choose a support to consider. The aim is to make change more understandable and manageable.

You can return to these ideas whenever useful.

My comfort and familiarity map

Your writing stays on this page while it is open. It is not saved automatically. Download a copy if you want to keep it.

An interest, routine, object or activity that matters to meWhat it gives me, or how it feelsWhat I want other people to understand or ask before changingIf a change is necessary, what information or preparation helps?A backup I would choose, if I want oneA message I could share with someone supporting me

If a routine or interest is causing distress or making it difficult to meet your needs, support can focus on the difficulty while respecting what matters to you. Harmless sources of comfort do not need changing just to look more typical.

National Autistic Society: predictability and routine

National Autistic Society: focused and dedicated interests