Definition
Insistence on sameness is a strong preference for predictability in routines, environments, and expectations, with distress when things change unexpectedly. It is one of the recognized features of autism.
Why It Matters
Predictability is regulating, not rigid for its own sake, because a consistent world lowers the constant effort of processing novelty. Preparing for changes in advance and honoring routines reduces distress and builds trust.
Common Misconception
Needing sameness is not controlling or stubborn behavior. It is a nervous system managing uncertainty, and small unexpected changes can genuinely feel destabilizing, not merely annoying.