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Mental Inflexibility Tip Sheet

Mental inflexibility is the inability to respond to changes, such as thinking about multiple ideas at once or switching between thoughts.

Look for These Difficulties

  • Difficulty thinking/reacting in the moment
  • Challenges adjusting to new or unexpected tasks/activities
  • Challenges understanding another's perspective
  • May be argumentative, uncooperative, or stubborn

Accommodations

  • When planning, leave extra time before due dates and set reminders on items like phone, calendar, or note pads
  • Write out the steps to tasks and cross steps off as you complete them
  • Write down pros and cons, considering short- and long-term consequences for actions
  • Try new things, like making a new friend, tasting a new food, changing your routine, or learning a new dance
  • Make time to exercise

Embrace change!

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