Interview (Autistic Adult - Travel experience)
Participant: Female, 55–64
What does independence mean to you?
“Feeling safe and able to stay calm without people I know around.”
This response links independence with feeling safe and emotionally regulated, rather than simply travelling alone. It suggests that independence may depend on whether the environment gives someone enough confidence and support to cope without a familiar person present.
Can you tell me about an international trip you have taken? Were there any parts of planning or travelling that you found particularly difficult?
“Planning everything I would need, toiletries, clothes, where exactly I needed to go in the airport, looking up where things are in advance takes a lot of time and effort. Busy, loud places and people not understanding autism well if I did need help.”
This highlights both pre-travel preparation and the airport environment itself. The participant spends significant time researching routes and locations before travelling, which suggests that existing information may be too fragmented or difficult to access quickly.
The response also introduces another important barrier: fear that staff may not understand autism if support is needed.