10 reasons autistics may find independent travel difficult
Written on 10th Oct 2017 by Alex Lowery
There are a lot of people on the autistic spectrum who really struggle with getting public transport independently. This is by no means a difficulty for everyone. Some autistics get a bus or a train no problem, but for others, it is something they need support with. I can only get a few set routes that I’ve learned to get myself. I’m unable to travel just anywhere on my own, nor can I currently drive. Some people look at the fact that I can give talks and write articles, and think there’s no reason I shouldn’t be able to travel independently, but you really can’t make assumptions about what autistics say they can’t do just by going off the things they can do or vice-versa. Today’s article is about 10 of the things that may impact an autistic person’s ability to take public transport independently. Note that all of these points won’t necessarily be a problem for every single autistic that can’t travel independently. They’re very much guidelines and not set in stone rules. You might meet an autistic person who only has an issue with one or two of these things. You may even meet someone who has an issue with transport that isn’t on the list. If you’re autistic; please do comment and let me know how well you can relate to this article. Please read the list below. I hope you enjoy it!
1. Anxiety – Many autistic people experience a lot of day-to-day struggles with anxiety. When you travel on a bus or train; many unpredictable things can happen and fear of these things happening can make an autistic person afraid to travel independently for fear that he/she won’t know how to handle the extreme stress of when something goes wrong. There may be autistic people who are simply horrified at the idea of getting distracted and then missing their stop (as a result) when it’s time to get off.
2. Sensory Issues – Many people on the autistic spectrum experience high levels of Sensory Overload. If you’re autistic; when you travel on a train or even a bus or any other form of transport; you may experience a lot of this. The noise of the engine can be overwhelming as well as the volume of other passengers (who can be very loud) on the train. I was on the quiet zone of a train once and a few really loud men were talking and I was really having a hard time handling it. Some autistic people (myself being one of them) really dislike physical contact; particularly when it’s not on their own terms. When the tube is super packed; there can be people who get really close to you and physical contact may be unavoidable. Some autistic people may struggle to cope with this, especially when they’re on their own.
3. Navigation skills – Now, this one is very much entirely dependent on the person. Well, the first two are as well obviously; but this one is especially because there are a good number of autistic people whose navigation skills are absolutely brilliant! I even heard about a severely autistic young man whose sense of direction was better than most neurotypicals. He was able to recognise any time someone was going a different way from the agreed route. However, there are other autistic people (particularly those who may have a co-occurring condition like dyspraxia or a Learning Disability) whose sense of direction is absolutely appalling! I really struggle to find my way around places I’m not familiar with. I get lost so easily and this is one of the main reasons why I really struggle with independent travel.
4. Spatial Awareness – I have dyspraxia as well as autism. Dyspraxia is a rather common co-occurring condition with autism. One of the main traits of dyspraxia is ‘not knowing where your body is in space’. I tend not to have full control over my body. As a result of this; I can stand in people’s way, bump into people and knock a heavy rucksack into someone. People have sometimes got aggressive when I’ve ‘accidentally’ done these things. I think some people may have even though I did it on purpose to cause trouble. For ages, I never really understood why people would react that way, or why people have viewed that as an impact on independent travel. After all, there are plenty of really clumsy people who aren’t autistic and that doesn’t necessarily stop them from travelling independently. However, I’ve gathered that the difference is that most clumsy people (or even people with dyspraxia by itself without autism) will more than likely have the social awareness to realise what they’ve done and apologise quickly. However, when I’ve knocked my bag into someone; I haven’t always noticed because I’m not paying attention to my surroundings. I’m simply focussed on the one thing. As a result of this, my bag or coat might knock into someone and I’m completely unaware so I don’t apologise because I have no idea I’ve done it. Someone might give a strange look and I won’t notice because I tend to be oblivious to body language and facial expressions. I will tend to notice if my body physically touches someone else’s, so in that case, I’ll tend to apologise like 10 times in a row, but when it’s something I’m holding that’s touched someone else, I don’t find it as easy to notice. It can be hard to travel alone when you have this difficulty because if you’re unaware of your surroundings, you can get into trouble.
5. Stimming – Many autistic people tend to take part in self-stimulatory behaviours or ‘stimming’ for short. This is basically a series of movements that can take the form of rhythm. Autistic people often stim. Some people’s stimming is more controlled than others, but the general public doesn’t always understand stimming so this could be an issue for some autistic people when travelling alone. Also, when I stim I tend not to think about where my body is at all. There was a time when I got really close to the railway line when stimming just because I wasn’t thinking about where I was. You can view an article I wrote on stimming here.
6. Social Skills – When travelling alone; you have to have at least a level of knowledge as to what’s socially inappropriate and what’s expected of you. I heard about a young man with autism who travelled on the train and kept grabbing this girl’s soft fair coat. Now, the reason for this was that he loved the feel of the coat. He loved how it felt so soft. However, this wasn’t understood and he got into a lot of trouble. You’ve got to be aware that there are things you just don’t do when you’re out and about alone. There are also strangers who may take advantage of an autistic person’s lack of social awareness.
7. Concentrating – Some people with autism (particularly those with co-occurring ADHD like me) may find that they get easily distracted. This could be a problem when travelling independently. I find that I can get really deep in thought. When you have this problem, this can mean that you’re not paying attention to your surroundings so you end up not noticing when it’s your stop.
8. Hazard awareness – Some autistic people aren’t very aware of dangers because it takes a focus on the Big Picture that many of us lack. When you travel independently; you more than likely have to have at least some degree of awareness of danger. Some autistic people really struggle to cross the road without help because traffic is very unpredictable. This was particularly a big problem for me as a young child when I had literally no concept of danger and even thought that if I closed my eyes then the cars would all go away. I understand it now, but I still struggle with extremely busy roads. I have a tendency to wait until there is no cars present (even ones far away) but some roads rarely have an opening like that. A difficulty with crossing the road isn’t at all uncommon in autism. I’ve heard of someone who can actually drive a car but is unable to cross a busy road without help. This can be a problem when travelling alone.
9. Planning the Journey – People with autism sometimes struggle to think ahead, plan and foresee all the things that could go wrong. Sometimes just booking the tickets and planning everything can be a difficulty.
10. Keeping track of important things – Personally, I lose things of value extremely easily. I’ve lost train tickets, business receipts and even money! I struggle to keep track of all these things when I’m so focussed on what’s on my mind. You can probably imagine why this would make independent travel hard. I’d also find that when I had lost my train ticket, I’d get so stressed that I likely wouldn’t be able to think clearly and wouldn’t know what to do.
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Interesting, my son has aspergers and I know he stresses a lot about public transport, you never mentioned, smell, I know autistic spectrum people seem to have a higher sense of smell, and also the thought of germs, who has touched the same bannister etc, people breathing on them, all stimulation overdrive,
Yes true. That would come under sensory issues. I don’t really experience many with smell myself, but I know others that definitely do have a hightened sense of smell.
Once on the ferry back from Dublin, we had this elderly woman who smelt strongly of garlic and by the time we arrived at Holyhead the smell of garlic was overpowering for over 4 hours straight and on the trains all the way to Manchester via Chester – for 20 years I’ve travelled alone over and back across the Irish Sea by both SailRail, overnight coaches and before 2010 by flying with Aer Lingus between Dublin and Manchester – I’ve picked up some really funny stories over the years of my travel experiences long before my diagnosis
This is spot on Alex, I travelled with my sister by train & tube yesterday. She is autistic & has dyspraxia.
She coped relatively well with the crowds, noise etc. The two things that she absolutely hated though were only being able to find a seat on the train that meant we were facing the opposite way to the direction of travel.
The second was keeping right on stairs & escalators. She’s left handed & just couldn’t balance holding on to the right rail, she got in people’s way holding on to the left, but stayed upright at least.
I hate travelling alone as I fear having a stranger sit beside me
When I travel, I hate crowds and I hate rushing – when travelling from Manchester Piccadilly (Platform 14 – hate it, especially if coming from the Metrolink Trams to get tickets and information) to Dublin Port on SailRail via Holyhead, changing trains at Chester at opposite ends of Chester Station with only 6 mins to change trains with a heavy suitcase for Holyhead is a nightmare, about which I’ve written to Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast many times over the years before my diagnosis, but have never received a satisfactory response, as if the option was available, I’d prefer to travel in first class – when I get onto the Irish Ferries Ulysses (or the Stena Adventurer) at Holyhead, I head straight for the peace and quiet of the Club Class Lounge (and it’s a bit more classy too) – Ideally, I’d prefer to travel from Manchester Victoria via Liverpool old port (not Birkenhead) to Dun Laoire where there are ready made DART train connections into Dublin City Centre for the Bus Éireann Coaches from Dublin Busaras Coach Station, (my family live 20 miles from Dublin) as Dublin Port (North Wall) does not even have the LUAS trams going all the way from the Irish Ferries/Stena Terminals into Dublin Connolly/Busaras – the return leg to Dublin Port and getting on the 20.55 overnight ferry is always a hassle at Holyhead after it’s arrival at 00.20 as the first train is at 04.25 out of Holyhead to Chester – it’s a pity now that Virgin Atlantic did not fly from Liverpool to Dublin and short haul flights will now be restricted due to climate change, aside from the hassles of airport security to provide a first class service – although overnight coaches are good as they just drive on and off the ferries at Holyhead and Dublin but we’re withdrawn a few years ago, a high speed rail tunnel between Holyhead to Dublin was also shelved a few years ago due to lack of investment
With modern trains these days, I’d either prefer to travel in a lockable compartment on my own or failing that, in first class – crowds and screaming kids really stress me out when travelling, as do constant onboard train announcements – there are never station staff nor onboard train crew to assist with luggage
I have sensitivity to touch and don’t know how to cope with it when someone sits next to me. i have noise reducing earphones i can use; i carry them everywhere with me. Do you have ideas on how to make it easier to cope with when someone decides to sit next to me and touches my hip? This tends to make me freeze because it overloads my sensory system.
I am wondering if its possible to accsess travel companions or if travel companions exist in the UK i feel very frustrated because tgeir are a lot of things i would like to do and places i would like to go to. I have a boyfreind who is also autistic he is much more use to travelling on his own and he does not have a diognosis of dyspraxia like i do. I find it hard to get him to understand my problems when travelling and i cannot relay on him yo help me because of this.
Post Covid, as travel becomes more precarious and unpredictable and following my own later in life ASD diagnosis at age 52, there is definitely going to be a clear and urgent need for travel companions for those with our disability – and frankly, with our disability and the stuff that we have to deal with on a daily basis, if the elites can have travel assistance in first class, so should we have the same, as we deserve it
Hello Michael,
I have had travel assistance in both standard and first class so am unsure why you have not received this? I cannot praise the railway staff enough for all the support given to me to enable me to travel alone to London.
Hi Nick, many people have said that as a consequence of my diagnosis just after Covid that I should not be travelling any distance of over 20 miles without a chaperone and even then, only by chaperoned air travel across the Irish Sea, not by SailRail – I am aware that National Express have withdrawn thier overnight 880 Coach service from Leeds via Manchester, Liverpool and Holyhead to Dublin Port (North Wall) and where P&O ferries do not accept foot passengers on thier Liverpool – Dublin route – historically, there used to be direct trains from Manchester Victoria to Liverpool to connect with the ferry to Dublin (Dun Laoire) which would have made use of the DART trains into Dublin City Centre, but on approaching all the rail companies and ferry operators, they are not interested and most are obsessed with the “convenience” of air travel despite the hassles of airport security and the hassles of getting out of Dublin Airport as they simply refuse to understand – a few years ago, they also shelved a high-speed rail line (channel tunnel style) between Holyhead and Dublin due to lack of private investment – arriving into Dublin Port from Holyhead on Irish Ferries (aside from changing trains from Manchester Piccadilly at Chester) is a real hassle, as transport options into Dublin City Centre are very limited, as even the LUAS Trams don’t even serve the Irish Ferries terminal – maybe a total ban on all air travel between Ireland and the U.K. would be a good idea if it means better alternatives and results in a total overhaul of the current SailRail product offering – living in Manchester 20 years, I’d sooner sail from Liverpool to Dun Laoire direct, even if there is an 8 hour crossing time (as opposed to 3 hours from Holyhead – Dublin North Wall)
I feel like I especially struggle with the smell(air conditioner, gasoline, perfumes, foods…) when i’m travelling.
My sense of direction is not good too(dyscalculia here) and I hate trying new routes or ways so I always end up using the same transportation and doing the same thing even if i’m uncomfortable with all of the things there. I usually don’t sit to avoid contacts with ppl as well. walking is the most stress free way to travel imo.
I have spent my whole life with no sense of direction and being unable to go out alone. I was bullied when I was younger when I wanted to play with other children and they would runaway from me on purpose so I got lost a lot.
I can also drive but only in my town, not new places. I agree people just don’t understand.
Even before my diagnosis, I’ve witnessed with others with our disability in previous situations simply refuse to truly understand and seem to think that use of the disciplinary process in a work situation is the only solution where two people I know of in retailing were dismissed from work, one was even falsely accused of theft after enduring a lot of workplace bullying in order to justify thier eventual dismissal for poor job performance – some families are also very unsympathetic as well, believing that ultra strict discipline is the only way to manage the disability and they also have the same mindset in relation to other mental health issues, dismissing same as “nonsense” and similar, believing that someone needs to be “put in thier place” and that they need to be “cruel to be kind” using “tough love” an approach that they believe is “for thier own good”
Living alone 20 years in Manchester U.K. at age 52 where I had a later in life diagnosis of ASD during Covid, my last 2 post Covid visits on SailRail home to family Ireland via Dublin were during U.K. rail strikes and where everyone strongly disapproved of my living and travelling alone (thier views expressed in forthright terms) long before my diagnosis and even then only by (chaperoned) only air travel with my live-in carer under risk-adverse Council rules – they were all proven correct in early October as I ended up being stranded in Holyhead for 2 days on the return leg off the overnight ferry from Dublin after missing buses/trains to the Port in Dublin City Centre that morning and spending the entire day in Dublin Port due to cancelled ferries on the Irish Sea, unable to get back to Manchester – my family in Ireland have uncompromisingly been very unsympathetic as they are traditional Irish Catholics and believe in ultra strict Millitary style discipline to manage my disability – going forward, I realise now that I must “cop myself on” and get a live in carer to comply with council rules no matter how difficult this will be – and I must never attempt to travel unchaperoned any distance longer than 20 miles, by air travel only
Train stations are confusing and I can never find my station..usually I get so overwhelmed that I lose the ability to read then I just sit and cry. Because of past trauma now I am starting to get panic attacks. People say just look at a map it’s easy. Or that I will learn in no time. But this has been going on for years and years. Also it doesnt help I am unable to process and I understand the written or verbal Instructions. They have to physically walk me to my platform and even then I don’t even know If I am in the right train. I feel alot of shame and guilt round this and feel stupid for not being able to work out how to get on a train.
Congratulations all of you for your bravery in posting here and sharing your experiences. My friend has a son with autism and we are reading and researching everything we can all the time. Websites like this one – and reading about other people’s experiences are really helpful.Thank you for taking the time to describe the challenges you face.
My main struggle is sitting next to strangers if travelling alone. i will do anything to avoid it including saving up for first class, travelling late at night or early morning or purchasing 2 seats next to eachother. i dont even mind a small single seat if it is away from other people.
im ok for the most part sitting next to friends or family as long as im on an aisle. First class also usually means you have to queue less and there may be a quiet lounge you can sit in. if i am stressed and upset i am more prone to lose things or get lost or even have a meltdown so i try really hard to plan ahead and leave very early and keep checking i have everything. Ideally i think we should be accomodated just like overweight people or people with mobility devices to give us the extra space and/or privacy we need at a reduced cost but until this happens, we may have to pay extra.
I also don’t like sitting next to strangers either
thanks for info.