Does your child meltdown over unexpected changes, like a detour going to school or a misplaced toy? They might also try to control everything and throw tantrums if things don’t go their way.

If this sounds like your child, they might be a “Rigid Routinist”. Here we’ll explore what this means, why it’s a problem, and how ABA can help you navigate it.

What is a Rigid Routinist?

A Rigid Routinist feels a strong need for consistency and predictability in all parts of their life. They are comfortable when everything feels familiar. Without the comfort of familiarity, Rigid Routinists might react with aggression, outbursts, or irritability. Even changes that seem minor or unimportant to most of us can pose a large issue for others.

This behavior can be the result of a specific condition, such as anxiety, ADHD, OCD, sensory hyper/hypo-sensitivity, or autism. In some cases, it can be a combination of several of these factors, or even something totally different—such as certain parenting styles, early exposure to stress, or a family history of obsessive-compulsive characteristics. 

How to spot a Rigid Routinist

Here are signs to look for to find out if your child fits this behavioral category.

When your child throws a tantrum or has a meltdown due to: 

• Changes to their daily schedule or routines
• Items being placed in different locations than usual
• Family members trying out new haircuts or clothing styles
• Taking a different route to school when a street is blocked off
• Something unpredictable, unexpected, or unplanned takes place during their day
• Getting interrupted when speaking
• Being asked to complete a task, but without being given clear directions and specifications

When your child keeps saying no to: 

• Trying on new clothing
• Playing with new toys or playing with toys in new ways
• Taking new food to school for lunch
• Playing with a new neighbor or classmate
• Playing or spending time with people with different interests or who do not adhere to the same structures and rules as themselves

Some other common characteristics of a Rigid Routinist include:

• Struggling to complete tasks, because they need everything to be “perfect”
• Getting stuck on specific activities or topics for excessive amounts of time
• Inflexible standards of behavior for themselves and others
• Preoccupation with things like schedules, details, rules, lists, and organization
• Strict adherence to rules with no room for recognizing gray areas or ambiguity
• Difficulty adjusting or transitioning from one activity to another
• Cognitive inflexibility: difficulty recognizing gray areas during discussions or accepting the opinions of others, or more general troubles with problem-solving

When does it become a problem?

Routines aren’t all bad. In fact, it can also be beneficial! Routines provide a sense of order and predictability. It helps us stay organized, and focused and keep things running smoothly. Even being rigid can be helpful sometimes. It allows us to focus intently and not get interrupted. We see this benefit when we want to master a hobby or develop a skill. 

However, too much of a good thing can become a problem. Just like adults, kids need to learn when to be flexible and when to stick to a routine. If routines become the only way your child copes with emotions, it can cause issues. Many areas of life can be negatively impacted by a Rigid Routinist’s behavior. Some examples include:

Social/Emotional

• Adapting to new or different environments can be challenging
• Limited interests and engagement with peers lead to difficulty making or keeping friends
• Possibly avoiding social interaction completely, fearing unexpected circumstances
• Increased behavior problems, anxiety, or depression

School

• Difficulty with self-directed learning
• Difficulty following or adapting to different teaching styles
• Difficulty completing assignments, due to intense perfectionism
• In some cases, lateness or absence due to the effects of the behaviors

Family

• Plans and norms need to completely change to accommodate—affecting everything from day-to-day carpools to large family vacations
• Going on family outings becomes difficult, and can become rare as a result of the challenges
• Places stress on other family members and requires them to frequently explain their limitations to others 
• Relationships with family members might be strained

Health

• Limited food options can lead to poor nutrition
• Sleep issues can develop when going to bed outside of normal time

How ABA therapy can help

ABA therapists analyze the situations that trigger a rigid behavior. This data helps them understand why your child acts this way and what makes them repeat their behaviors.

With this in mind, ABA therapists will be able to create a behavioral plan that can address the specific reasons behind your child’s rigidity. Here are some common approaches that ABA uses to help Rigid Routinists.

• Sensory management – Behavior therapists can help arrange the environment to increase or decrease sensory stimulation, and teach the child to communicate their need for a reduction or increase in sensory stimulation.
• Executive functioning development – ABA therapy can help your child develop skills like self-regulation, self-awareness, and flexibility. This allows them to cope better with unexpected situations.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – This therapy focuses on cognitive flexibility, helping your child adjust their thinking and behavior when needed.
• Motivation and engagement techniques – Behavior therapists can use your child’s interest to motivate them to learn and explore new things beyond their comfort zone.
• Facilitate social interactions – ABA can help your child learn new play sequences, how long it’s okay to talk about their interests, and when to stop and discuss other topics. They can also facilitate social interactions with peers and support your child during the interaction.
• Visual schedule and role play – This helps your child transition between activities and prepare them for upcoming events.
• Parent training – ABA gives you the tools to use when your child is exhibiting rigid or routinist behaviors, such as planning, providing choices, and using reinforcement systems.

With ABA therapy, you can help your child develop the flexibility they need to navigate the world with confidence! If you want to learn more about the Rigid Routinist or are considering ABA therapy for your child, please reach out to the Empirian Team.

We are always happy to discuss and help in any way we can!