Students with autism are more likely to engage in activities in those situations. For example, it is widely known that many individuals with autism benefit from structured environments in which they understand the rules and routines. However, this characteristic of autism can be applied in a positive way. Students may insist upon the same routine or environment and be upset or even have an emotional meltdown if the sameness is broken by unexpected changes or people. Their tendency to follow rules and routines often causes problems for adaptive functioning, including daily living skills, communication, and social interactions. Generally, students with autism have rigid patterns of thinking.
