Transition Difficulty/tran-ZI-shun DIF-i-kul-tee/
Struggles moving from one activity, environment, or mindset to another.
Andy says:
Think of attention like a train—it needs time and signals to switch tracks.
Detailed Explanation
Transitions demand task closure, attention shift, and new rules. They’re hard with monotropic focus, high sensory load, or time blindness. Supports add preview, anchors, and softer ramps.
Community Context
Common in autistic and ADHD profiles; also after deep focus in anyone. Good transitions respect momentum and predictability.
Quick Tips
- Preview what’s next; use countdowns and “last steps”
- Build bridges: carry over a small element from task A to B
- Allow a short recovery buffer
Do / Don't
- Do: use visual timers and clear end/start cues
- Don't: spring abrupt changes without reason
Scientific Context
Executive shift costs and sensory load explain friction; structure reduces it.
Language Notes
Related: monotropism, time blindness, context switching.
Related Terms
Time Blindness
Time blindness is the difficulty sensing how much time has passed or accurately estimating how long tasks will take, making it hard to manage schedules and deadlines.
Context Switching
The performance and energy cost of rapidly changing tasks, tools, or mental sets.
Monotropism
A theory that autistic attention tends to focus deeply on a small number of interests at a time, shaping perception, learning, and overwhelm.
Co-regulation
Supporting someone’s nervous system to calm or activate through shared cues: steady presence, tone, breath, and environment.
Visual Schedules
External, visual plans (lists, cards, timelines) that show what’s happening and in what order, to reduce cognitive load and uncertainty.
Sources
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