Cognitive Inflexibility

Does the idea of changing plans mid-stream make you feel genuinely stressed? Or do you sometimes find yourself mentally “stuck” on one way of doing something, even when you know there might be other options? You might be experiencing cognitive inflexibility — and before anyone labels you as “stubborn,” let’s talk about what’s really happening.

Cognitive inflexibility is when your brain has trouble switching gears between different thoughts, tasks, or approaches. It’s super common among neurodivergent folks, especially those of us who are autistic or have ADHD. But it’s not about being difficult or resistant to change.

You might notice this if you:

• Need to stick to the plan — When someone changes what you’re doing or how you’re doing it, it feels genuinely disruptive, not just annoying
• Get mentally stuck — You know there are other ways to solve a problem, but your brain keeps going back to the same approach
• Struggle with task switching — Moving from one activity to another takes extra mental effort and time
• Feel jarred by unexpected changes — Surprises throw off your entire mental flow, even small ones
• Think in “tracks” — Once you start down one line of thinking, it’s hard to jump to a different perspective

Here’s what’s actually happening: your brain processes transitions differently. Where others might easily hop between ideas or adapt to changes, your brain prefers clear structure and predictable patterns. It’s not a flaw — it’s just how your cognitive system works best.

The upside? When you can work within your natural patterns, you often think more deeply, thoroughly, and consistently than people who jump around constantly. You’re not broken — you’re just operating with a different kind of mental processing system.

The key is helping others understand that a little advance notice, clear expectations, and patience during transitions can make all the difference in how well you function.