Julie, I felt your words so deeply today. I can relate both on a personal level and because I have several neurodivergent children. I used to love traveling, and now it is a cause for great anxiety. I can still enjoy time away, but the shift in what's familiar - my own bed, my kitchen, my food - is difficult.
With my children, I have to plan ahead for every small change that might (probably will) create waves of anxiety for them. I try to keep the routine as close to what we have at home as possible. Road trips work best in this way, because we can stop at rest areas to eat a picnic lunch and stretch our legs. We're not beholden to airlines and crowded gates. So that does limit where we're able to go, at least for now. But at least we can still explore.
I've found there are many hidden treasures very close to home. I'm satisfied with taking small steps with my family to discover them.
I deeply appreciate this post. Before I had my son who is now four and also autistic, I traveled, and lived in all different places, and I loved it! I’ve been grieving the challenges and difficulties that has prevented me from traveling for the last five years. I traveled a bit, but once my son was diagnosed, I started to think about, the stability and the routines he needs in order to learn and grow. I hadn’t even given consideration to the possibility that I may no longer enjoy travel… I haven’t had a chance to find out!
I definitely have encountered these issues as an autistic traveler, but not traveling alone and having someone to confide in about difficulties helps.
Julie, I felt your words so deeply today. I can relate both on a personal level and because I have several neurodivergent children. I used to love traveling, and now it is a cause for great anxiety. I can still enjoy time away, but the shift in what's familiar - my own bed, my kitchen, my food - is difficult.
With my children, I have to plan ahead for every small change that might (probably will) create waves of anxiety for them. I try to keep the routine as close to what we have at home as possible. Road trips work best in this way, because we can stop at rest areas to eat a picnic lunch and stretch our legs. We're not beholden to airlines and crowded gates. So that does limit where we're able to go, at least for now. But at least we can still explore.
I've found there are many hidden treasures very close to home. I'm satisfied with taking small steps with my family to discover them.
I deeply appreciate this post. Before I had my son who is now four and also autistic, I traveled, and lived in all different places, and I loved it! I’ve been grieving the challenges and difficulties that has prevented me from traveling for the last five years. I traveled a bit, but once my son was diagnosed, I started to think about, the stability and the routines he needs in order to learn and grow. I hadn’t even given consideration to the possibility that I may no longer enjoy travel… I haven’t had a chance to find out!