Flexibility

Flexibility and adaptability are about how a young person manages change.

This includes changes in routines, activities, thinking, feelings

Neurodivergent young people, such as those with autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or dyslexia, may find change harder. This is because their brains process information and experiences in different ways.

Flexibility

Flexibility means being able to change how you think, act or respond when things change.

There are different types of flexibility.

Behavioural Flexibility

This is the ability to change behaviour when needed.

For example:

  • moving from one activity to another

  • coping with changes in routine

Cognitive Flexibility

This is the ability to change how you think or solve problems.

For example, finding a new way to do something when the plan changes.

Emotional Flexibility

This is the ability to manage feelings when things change.

For example, staying calm when plans change or something unexpected happens.

Examples of Flexibility Challenges

Some neurodivergent young people may:

  • feel stressed when routines change (common in autism)

  • find it hard to switch between tasks (common in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD))

  • find it difficult to adjust to new ways of learning (sometimes seen in dyslexia)

These challenges are part of how the brain works, not a choice.

Adaptability

Adaptability means being able to cope with new situations or environments.

It is a broader skill than flexibility. It includes learning how to manage and feel comfortable in new situations.

Environmental Adaptability

This is the ability to adjust to changes around you.

For example:

  • moving between activities

  • coping with noise, light or busy places

Emotional Adaptability

This means finding ways to manage feelings in different situations.

For example:

  • coping with stress

  • managing feelings like anxiety or frustration

Social Adaptability

This is the ability to adjust behaviour in different social settings.

For example:

  • understanding social rules

  • changing how you communicate with different people

Examples of Adaptability Challenges

Some young people may:

  • find social situations confusing, such as reading social cues (often in autism)

  • struggle to move attention between tasks (common in ADHD)

  • need extra support to understand written information (sometimes in dyslexia)

They may need more time or different strategies to adjust.

Why These Skills Are Important

Cognitive Growth

Learning to manage change helps young people:

  • solve problems

  • build independence

  • cope with new situations

Social Inclusion

These skills can help young people:

  • understand others

  • join in social activities

  • manage different social situations

Emotional Wellbeing

Flexibility and adaptability can help:

  • reduce anxiety (feeling worried or stressed)

  • manage frustration

  • improve self-regulation (managing emotions and behaviour)

Flexibility and adaptability take time to develop.

With the right support, patience and understanding, young people can build these skills in ways that work for them.

Why Flexibility and Adaptability Can Be Difficult

These skills can be harder because of:

  • Neurological differences – the brain processes information and emotions differently

  • Need for routine – predictable routines can feel safe, so change can feel stressful

  • Executive functioning differences – difficulties with planning, organising or switching tasks

  • Sensory sensitivities – noise, light or textures can make change harder

Strategies to Improve Flexibility and Adaptability

These strategies can help young people manage change in a calm and gradual way.

  • Start with small changes. Build up over time.

    This helps young people feel safer and more confident.

    For example:

    • change one small part of a routine

    • practise new situations in short steps

    Provide:

    • clear routines

    • simple expectations

    • predictable daily plans

    This helps young people feel more in control and ready for change.

  • Visual Prompts

    Use pictures to show what will happen next.

    Examples include:

    • visual timetables

    • photos of new places

    • social stories (short stories that explain situations and what to expect)

    You can also show when plans change, for example by crossing out an activity

  • Physical Prompts

    Visit new places before the event.

    For example:

    • visit a doctor’s surgery before an appointment

    This helps the young person feel familiar with the environment.

    Give Warning

    Tell the young person about changes in advance.

    You can:

    • talk about what will happen

    • show visual tools, such as a map or pictures

    This gives time to understand and adjust.

  • Mindfulness and Coping Strategies

    Teach simple ways to stay calm, such as:

    • slow breathing

    • quiet time

    • grounding techniques (focusing on what you can see, hear or feel)

  • Social Skills Support

    Help young people practise:

    • conversations

    • different social situations

    Social stories can help explain what to expect and what to do.

  • Assistive Technology

    Digital and visual tools can help with change.

    Examples include:

    • reminders

    • timers

    • visual schedules

    These tools support planning and transitions.

What’s On to support Flexibility

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Support in Wirral

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    My Happy Mind

    My Happy Mind is a resource that can be used by schools in Wirral. There is support for parents and carers and children and young people. You can find more information on their website.

    The service in schools is free.

    Click Here

Resources and Helpful Information

YoungMinds is a charity that helps children, young people, and families look after their mental health and wellbeing. It provides trusted advice, support, and resources to help young people cope with challenges and feel better.Its Top Ten Tips for Parents guide gives simple ideas to help parents support their child’s emotional wellbeing and mental health.The guide encourages listening, spending time together, praising strengths, talking openly about feelings, and getting help when needed.The YoungMinds website also offers guides on anxiety, self-esteem, behaviour, mental health services, and support for parents and carers.These resources help families build strong relationships, support children through difficult times, and improve wellbeing.

TherapyWorks is an organisation that shares expert advice and practical resources to help children develop communication, learning, and everyday life skills.Its visual schedules guide explains how picture-based schedules can help children understand what will happen next during their day.The resource shows how visual schedules can be used for routines such as getting dressed, brushing teeth, going to school, and bedtime.It explains that visual schedules can improve attention, listening, communication, behaviour, and independence by making routines clear and predictable.These resources help children feel calmer, more confident, and better prepared for everyday activities.

Autism Behavior Services is an organisation that supports autistic and neurodiverse people through therapy, social skills programmes, training, and family support.Its Social Stories page offers a large free library of stories and videos that help children understand everyday situations, feelings, and social rules.The stories cover topics such as being patient, using kind words, going to the dentist, hygiene, safety, making friends, and coping with change.The website also provides social skills groups, videos, and learning resources for families, carers, and educators.These resources help children build confidence, understand social situations, and become more independent in everyday life

Carol Gray’s Social Stories website helps parents, teachers, and professionals support autistic people by using Social Stories to explain situations, feelings, and social rules.The Social Story Sampler provides examples of stories that can help children understand safety, tragedies, emotions, resilience, and how people are different from one another.The website explains what Social Stories are and how to write them so they are clear, supportive, and easy to understand.It also offers resources, articles, and guidance for creating personalised stories for children, young people, and adults.These resources help people understand the world around them, feel more confident, and manage everyday situations more easily

The National Autistic Society is a charity that supports autistic people and their families by providing information, advice, and practical help.Its page about order, predictability, and routine explains that many autistic people like knowing what will happen, following routines, and having clear rules.The resource explains how routines can help people feel calm, organised, and safe, while also recognising that changes can sometimes be difficult.The website offers guidance on autism, communication, sensory differences, interests, behaviour, and everyday life.These resources help autistic people and those around them understand strengths, reduce stress, and find ways to manage daily challenges

Contact is a charity that supports families with disabled children by providing advice, information, and practical help.Its Back to School and a New Routine page helps families prepare for the change from holiday routines to school routines and manage worries about returning to school.The page includes resources on starting a new school, managing anxiety and behaviour, and coping with changes and transitions.It also links to podcasts, webinars, education guidance, and products that can help children with sensory needs, concentration, and emotional wellbeing.These resources help children feel more confident, settle into routines, and make the move back to school easier

The ADHD Centre helps children, families, and adults understand and manage ADHD by providing expert information, advice, and assessments.Its guide on routines explains that children with ADHD often find it harder to stay organised, remember tasks, and manage their time.The resource shows how clear routines can help children feel calm, safe, and in control by making daily activities more predictable.It offers practical ideas for creating routines for mornings, homework, bedtime, and other daily activities.These resources help children improve focus, reduce stress, and become more confident and independent in everyday life

Maudsley Charity helps families improve their mental health and wellbeing by sharing advice created by researchers and NHS mental health experts.Its Families Under Pressure website offers free videos and resources to help parents manage difficult behaviour, reduce family conflict, and support children’s emotions.The tips cover topics such as setting clear rules, encouraging good behaviour, helping children follow instructions, staying calm, and building confidence.The site also provides advice on communicating with children, coping with anxiety, managing negative feelings, and boosting positive emotions.These resources help families build stronger relationships, handle stress, and support children’s emotional wellbeing.

CBeebies helps parents support young children’s learning, development, and wellbeing through trusted advice and activities.Its guide on dealing with change explains that children can find changes difficult because routines help them feel safe and secure.The resource shares simple ideas such as keeping routines, spending calm time together, listening to worries, and staying calm and consistent.The CBeebies website also offers helpful articles, games, videos, and activities to support children’s emotional and social development.These resources help children feel more confident, cope with change, and manage their feelings in a healthy way

Ambitious about Autism is a charity that helps autistic children and young people live happy, confident, and successful lives.Its website explains autism and provides advice about behaviour, communication, sensory needs, friendships, education, and wellbeing.The site shares practical strategies to help with routines, stimming, anxiety, meltdowns, sensory overload, and everyday challenges.It also offers resources for families, schools, and professionals to help them better support autistic young people.These resources help autistic children and young people understand their strengths, feel included, and reach their full potential.