I often hear autistic people say they don’t believe they can travel.

The reasons people give vary from cost, time, dependence on others, and challenges with sensory overwhelm. I searched travel blogs, but I couldn’t find one geared specifically toward autistic adults. So, I decided to start one myself.

I follow a lot of budget travel and backpacker blogs and I really enjoy them. But they can make travel seem stressful and unattainable for autistic people. The focus tends to be around adventure travel with nonstop action. Not that there is anything wrong with adventure travel. Even those of us on the spectrum like a little adventure from time to time, but we aren’t likely to stay up late drinking and partying with the crowds of backpackers at the hostels or join a lot of group tours.

As someone who is autistic and has traveled to all seven continents, I am here to tell you that you can travel. You don’t have to travel the way everyone else tells you to travel. You can figure out what works for your budget and your specific needs.

The travel industry tells us that we are supposed to book luxury vacations to escape from our mundane, boring lives, and create magical memories to impress our friends. Again, there is nothing wrong with luxury vacations if that is what you enjoy, but we tend to build them up in our minds so that when we actually go, it ends up feeling like a disappointment.

Katie with host family children, Uganda 1

The difference between vacation and travel.

I don’t approach travel as a vacation or an escape from my life. I like my life and I don’t need to escape. For me, travel has been an enriching and therapeutic experience that helped me learn about myself, my abilities, and my purpose.

When I go to a new place, I live like a local, not a tourist. That doesn’t mean I skip the tourist attractions all together! But I typically stay in an Airbnb or house in a residential area where I can meet locals, find out the best coffee shops and book stores, and cook for myself. This makes the experience less expensive and  more authentic.

I spend as much time as I need to in one place to truly experience that place to its fullest, and that way I don’t feel disappointed when it’s over. If I only have a weekend, I may only explore a neighborhood. If I only have a week or two, I focus on one town or city. If I have a month or more, I might explore a larger region of one country.

When you race through and only scratch the surface, you won’t get much out of it. If you spend time truly getting to know a place – its culture, history, and people – you will have a more fulfilling travel experience.

Travel will change your life if you let it

Travel has changed my life in so many positive and profound ways, it’s difficult to even put it into words. I never expected to travel outside the U.S. and was really scared when I left for the first time. My first experience was a study abroad program in Volgograd, Russia, when I was 27. Not the typical starter trip!

Changing of the guard, Volgograd 1

But I’m glad I started in a place so culturally foreign and here is why.

1. Travel is phenomenal for learning new life skills!

Travel liberated me from my safe space and routine, if only for a short time. I learned a different way of life and developed new coping strategies that I still use to this day to help manage my anxiety. In Russia, I learned that I can’t control everything that happens; but if I remind myself that “this too shall pass” when something isn’t going the way I want it to, it is a lot easier to accept. I also learned to listen to my body and not to be too hard on myself when I need to take a day off and stay in bed. Sometimes prevention is best.

2. Travel makes you more independent!

Sometimes I had to figure out where I was going on public transportation in a place where no one spoke English. It sounds scary, and sometimes it was, but it was also empowering. I had misunderstandings where I was on the wrong bus; I ended up really far away and had to figure out my way back. I’ve had to find where to buy groceries in really rural areas and be assertive in negotiating prices at markets. And I once had to figure out how to get to my destination after a canceled flight that caused me to miss a connection.

I didn’t know I could take care of myself until I was forced to. And I’m so glad to know that I can! Now I feel like I can go anywhere and do anything.

3. Travel helps you find your purpose!

A slower pace allowed me to learn where I really excel. Okay, so this came later, primarily when I was living in Uganda. Most non-western countries have a slower pace of life that values health and well-being over financial gain. This allowed me to slow down and learn more about myself and what I have to contribute to humanity. It turns out it’s a lot!

In only two years I was able to launch a village savings and loan association for women, establish a computer skills training curriculum in two schools, help organize a school library, support the creation of a farmers’ cooperative program, and facilitate a bunch of financial literacy and business skills training workshops. It’s incredible what we can accomplish when the goal isn’t to race to the finish line as quickly as possible, but rather to build something of lasting value.

I share this because I didn’t think I was capable of these things and I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn this in the states. It bothers me to think there are other autistic adults like me who underestimate their abilities and value.

If you think you don’t have something of value to contribute, you are wrong. Every person has something of value to contribute, including you!

Hiking on the Antarctic Peninsula 1

So how can the Autistic Travel Coach help you?

You can check out the Autistic Travel Coach blog. I hope this article and the blog inspire you to venture out and learn more about yourself and your purpose. If the blog is all you need, that’s great!

But if you need more help getting started – where to go, when to go, whether to go alone or with a group, etc. – I offer individual coaching services. The Autistic Travel Coach can be your advocate and travel agent. I can work closely with you to make phone calls, travel arrangements, and discuss your needs with service providers, on your behalf.

In the future I would like to offer group tours for autistic adults. You can help the Autistic Travel Coach with program design by completing this survey about your travel preferences. Your answers will help me create a program that meets the needs of autistic adults.

Pack your bags!

Ultimately, I can tell you about my experience and guide you on your quest, but I can’t give you the experience. You have to do it for yourself. Your experience will be different from mine, but if you open your heart and mind, you will experience transformations as deep and impactful as I have.

You can reach me with comments or questions at AutisticTravelCoach@gmail.com.

Aspie Travels!