🕰️ Why Autistic People Perceive Time Differently

Today, we're going to talk about something that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are likely to wonder about at least once: the concept of time.

Why does my child have such a hard time waiting?

Why is it so difficult for my child to understand the concept of time?

You may have asked yourself this question at least once.

Did you know that beyond simply “hating and being unable to wait ,” people with autism may perceive time itself differently than we do?

We naturally sense the passage of time and act accordingly, but children and adults with autism often have difficulties in their daily lives due to their different perceptions of time. Today, based on my diverse experiences and the latest research, I'd like to discuss how children perceive time, why they struggle, and how we can help.

⏱️ Time, how do our children feel?

Time perception refers to the ability to sense and understand time . It involves several factors.

- Distinguishing between short time intervals (e.g., whether two sounds were heard simultaneously or sequentially)

- Estimate the length of time in seconds and minutes

- Understand time concepts such as "yesterday," "now," and "later."

All of these are fundamental aspects of daily life, such as waiting, keeping schedules, and planning. However, several studies have reported that children with autism often struggle with these areas (Casassus et al., 2019; Poole et al., 2021).

👂 Time sensitivity down to the millisecond

Although research findings vary (Falter et al., 2012), some studies have shown that children differ in their temporal sensitivity. Temporal sensitivity is the ability to perceive very short time intervals . For example:

- Distinguish whether the two sounds were heard simultaneously or in order.

- Detecting subtle time differences between blinking lights

Although individual differences are significant and it's difficult to draw consistent conclusions, this sensitivity also influences communication, interpretation of social cues , and self-regulation . It's worth noting that some children with autism may have difficulty detecting social cues or the rhythm of speech .

 

⏳ "How long will it take?" Difficulty understanding time intervals

Understanding time intervals is the ability to estimate "how long something takes." It's the ability to estimate play time, meal preparation time, and the time it takes to wait for your turn in a conversation.

Some studies have shown that children with autism perceive time as short (Allman et al., 2011) or have difficulty distinguishing between 5 and 15 minutes (Casassus et al., 2019).

When children become too absorbed in one activity or have difficulty switching between activities, it is because they have different abilities regarding this interval timing. Children may feel uncomfortable with thoughts such as, "Why aren't we finished yet?" or "Going already?"

🧩 Is this what happens to my child?

- I often wait too early or, conversely, too late.

- I have a hard time waiting or asking repeatedly, "How long do I have to wait?"

- Once you get into it, you don't know how time flies.

- I always try to do the same thing at the same time.

This is why clocks, calendars, and alarms are so important, as they can be a sign that you lack a sense of time and need external tools.

 

🛠️ How to get practical help

Did this help you understand a little bit why we keep telling you to use the First-Then Board and the Visual Timer?

✅ Use a visual timer: For younger children, try an hourglass, a color timer, or an app that displays the remaining time with a picture. "Visible time" is a great way to help children understand the passage of time.

✅ "First-Then" drawing board: Organize activities into a visual sequence, like "Eat lunch, then iPad."

Visual Schedule Part 1: Today's To-Do List, First-Then, Morning-Afternoon

✅ Countdown reminder: Instead of abruptly saying "Stop now!", give advance warning like "5 minutes left... 2 minutes... It's time to clean up."

✅ Learn time concepts: Abstract time concepts like "later," "soon," and "next week" can be difficult for children. Use real-life examples, pictures, and calendars to explain them repeatedly .

✅ Use a calendar app: Even older children may need a visual schedule, so it might be a good idea to try using an app that allows them to check their schedule every day.

<The Choiceworks App is really well made, so please try it out for your child!!>

Children and adults with autism spectrum disorder experience time differently and may have difficulty perceiving and understanding time itself, or estimating the length of time.

Of course, there will be significant individual differences, but these difficulties can affect all aspects of daily life, including waiting, transitions, and schedule management.

The important thing is to accurately identify where your child or adult struggles with time management. Remember, we can help children understand time in their own way and live more harmoniously. :)