Meanings of Autistic Rituals and Routines: Using Personal Explanations Written by Bloggers to Improve Inclusion

Abstract

Rituals and routines are used to define autism. However, descriptions that come from diagnostic manuals exclude many people from being recognised as autistic initially, and exclude others from owning a positive autistic identity. Different examples and descriptions of these behaviours are missing from clinical guidelines. Autistic people provide valuable updates to how repetitive behaviours can be understood. This study supplements outdated and stereotyped examples of rituals and routines with personal explanations given by individuals who identify as autistic. A systematic search and mixed methods analysis of blog data was carried out using corpus-based and meta-ethnographic methods. These methods may interest researchers wishing to represent perspectives that are often omitted from research. A systematic search was used to locate qualitative descriptions of rituals and routines in personal narratives in blog data. Blogs were written by 40 adults who reported being autistic. Corpus-based analysis showed illustrative examples of rituals and routines, and meta-ethnography provided a line-of-argument synthesis for how and why these behaviours were used. Importantly, all repetitive behaviours were chosen personally by the autistic authors; they achieved a sense of control over their world. Benefits included in-moment recharging of energy and reliable ways to anticipate and reduce overwhelm. Rituals and routines used were likened to being an island, escape, or traffic light. These qualities underpinned different appearances of behaviours, including using lists, routines, rules, step-by-step guides, and schedules, stimming movements, exercising, dancing, and engagement in interests. Many different repetitive behaviours showed the specific demands placed on these authors in different environments. Underpinning functions of the repetitive behaviours were consistent over changeable times and places. The findings destigmatise autistic identity by recognising meaningful behaviours used as part of everyday life, rather than seeing autistic differences as problematic by default. This understanding can be used to inform assessment decisions and therapeutic supports that affect autistic people.