Each autistic person will have their own unique way of traveling
There is an abundance of misconceptions surrounding autism that not only cause allistic individuals to hold the conviction that those in the autistic community are unable to travel independently, but that also appears to have the added side-effect of causing some of those who are autistic to embody that belief too sadly.
Naturally, as a spectrum, autism is not your ‘typical’ disability, and while generalizations can be made about certain prevalent traits, it is imperative to recognize that not everyone will fit neatly into whatever preconceptions you might hold in your mind. As such, travel may not be entirely possible for some autistic people with high support needs, but the focus should always be on what the individual wants and how best to put those desires into practice to make them a reality.
We as human beings all have our own obstacles and difficulties to overcome. We as individuals should not allow those challenges to stand in the way of the things that positively affect our very existence. This is why I believe it is as important as ever for appropriate accommodations to be made to ensure that autistic individuals have a fighting chance for opportunities open to their allistic counterparts.
Everyone (autistic or not) will have to work within their own personal constraints to ensure a successful trip
Of course, I often reiterate the point that it’s also important to understand your own triggers and needs in order to prepare accordingly so as to get the most out of your trip. You should never feel guilty or embarrassed about removing yourself from a situation if it protects your own mental health.
Solo traveling for me is having the ability to focus on the things that I love to do, places I want to go, and experiences I want to have. That, of course, doesn’t mean that you can’t connect and spend time with like-minded individuals during your journey.
I often stay in hostels during my travels to save money, while also meeting fellow travelers – many of whom have become lifetime friends, having been lucky enough to meet them in various countries since our first meeting. The emphasis here is on the lack of obligation that is associated with traveling solo, as opposed to traveling with friends or family. However much time you spend with other travelers, you will inevitably go your separate ways (or even spend some days apart in order to do your own separate activities).
Traveling allowed me a level of freedom that was previously not possible
To quote Bob Wells during his performance in the sensational ‘Nomadland’ (I highly recommend this one); “One of the things I love most about this life is that there’s no final goodbye. I’ve met hundreds of people out here and we don’t ever say a final goodbye. We just say, ‘I’ll see you down the road’. And I do… I see them again.”
This short utterance perfectly captures the true essence of solo traveling for me.
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