Autistic Travel Voices #2: Shalese Heard (The Autistic Travel Goddess)

As many of you may be aware, there is very little in the way of travel-related information online which focuses on autistic adults, or has any input from the autistic travel community.

‘Autistic Travel Voices’ is an opportunity for others in the community to discuss topics surrounding their own travel journeys, and how their lived experience of traveling intersects with being autistic.

In this new edition of ‘Autistic Travel Voices’ I get to speak with the amazing Shalese Heard (otherwise known as the Autistic Travel Goddess). Originally hailing from Georgia, USA, Shalese has traveled across the map, amassing a wealth of information that she has since been sharing on her social media accounts. She’s got big dreams that she is pursuing hard, and I’m very lucky that she was able to take some time out to participate in this interview to share some of her experiences with you all!

• Q1: Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Shalese, also known as the Autistic Travel Goddess!  I am a content creator on YouTube, Instagram and a Public Speaker! I create content about traveling solo as an autistic adult, and adulting as a black autistic woman! I speak on a variety of issues facing us as adults with autism to bring awareness. Outside of traveling; I enjoy dressing up fashionably, binge watching YouTube and reading.

• Q2: When was your first solo trip? and where did you go?

My very first solo trip domestically was a flight to Los Angeles (to audition for the Travel Channel)

My very first solo international trip was to Iceland. It was truly magical 😀

• Q3: Why did travel evolve into a passion for you?

I’ve always been interested in geography,  as it was my special interest from childhood. I grew up being bullied a lot, and in a dysfunctional home; so geography and reading all about the places I wanted to visit was an outlet. I felt that I could find friendship and belonging to places themselves. I also grew up in a military family, and got the chance to move around to different states, which increased my curiosity about what it’s like to live in other places of the world.

As an adult, traveling became my passion even more because it helped me to cope with my struggles in the workforce, as well as my struggles at home. I struggled with not feeling good enough in the workplace, so traveling is the one thing that has constantly made me feel confident, loved and unstoppable.

• Q4: What have you learned about yourself as an autistic woman since traveling solo?

I learned that I put too much pressure on myself to constantly do things, see every attraction and be presentable all of the time. Traveling has taught me that I need to practice letting go of some things and that it’s okay to slow down.

I have also learned that I am more adaptable, more social, more of a “people person” than I believed myself to be. I can be a social butterfly in the right environment.

• Q5: What’s your favorite/most memorable travel experience to date?

I was in Iceland, in the winter, taking a roadtrip to Vík so I could see the black sand beach. On the way there; it was treacherous because of the snow. As I was driving on the icy roads (I should’ve rented a car with all-wheel drive) I ended up spinning around several times. Cars were coming from both lanes. I was on the side of a mountain with NO guard rails. It was truly a miracle that I managed not to hit ANYONE. What I’m in awe about is that I wasn’t scared one bit. One of the ways autism manifests itself in me, is I have a very muted sense of fear.  Things that scare most people don’t even register with me. This is a situation where my muted sense of fear really showed itself.

• Q6: Do you have a favorite destination so far?

My favorite destination so far? Honestly, it’s hard to choose. I’d have to say Iceland because of how remote it is, and how I get to see geological phenomena come to LIFE (a special interest of mine).

• Q7: What challenges does being autistic present for you when you are traveling and what strategies do you use to cope?

I HATE interruptions with a passion. Travel is full of them. My favorite strategy for dealing with them is to mentally prepare myself before every trip to always assume there will be interruptions. This helps me to anticipate and not be caught off guard. I also have taught myself to not stick to a strict schedule when traveling,  otherwise it stresses me out when I don’t adhere to set plans.

I purposely board the plane, or get off LAST to avoid the chaos of gathering my bags in the middle of a crowd.

• Q8: From your own experience, how accessible do you feel the tourism industry is for autistic travelers? Do you have any suggestions for improvement?

From my experience; I think the tourism industry needs some major improvements:

1. More flexibility with cancelations, instead of very strict refund policies. This would be helpful for those of us who struggled with executive function.

2. I wish restaurants would be more accommodating when preparing food.  For instance, I am very sensitive to texture. I can’t tolerate eating pasta that is too soft, yet some restaurants REFUSE to make it al dente. They pre cook pasta, to serve throughout the day. I think this practice needs to change.

3. There should also be a quieter option, less crowded, and lowering of bright lights, sensory sensitive hours should be available in most tourist attractions.

• Q9: What’s your experience as a black autistic woman with regards to travel? Do you think that the intersection between race, disability and gender makes the travel experience even more of a challenge for you?

As a black woman with autism, I do worry that my autistic traits might be misconstrued as a stereotype of me as a black woman. For instance, being a sensory eater might make others misconstrue me as the stereotypical “difficult” black woman. There’s also the issue of reading social cues. I can’t always tell whether someone or a situation is racist or not, which I’ve run into a lot when taking Air BnBs while traveling. Then there is the double challenge of having to constantly watch my surroundings, and be mindful of the social situations I find myself in because I have to navigate self care as an autistic person as well as protect myself from the dangers that come with traveling as a black traveler.

• Q10: Do you have any advice/tips to share with other autistic women of color looking to travel solo? 

My best piece of advice is to DO IT!

Don’t be afraid of being the only autistic black woman in a room.

Don’t buy into the stereotypes that travel is only for rich, white neurotypical men. Don’t let well meaning family members convince you that you’re “acting white” for wanting to travel.

Look at this as an opportunity to flex your confidence, self advocacy skills and show the world how amazing black autistic solo female travelers are!

Don’t forget to keep up with the Travel Goddess’ own adventures which she regularly shares to her Youtube and Instagram accounts.