Airlines, hotels, theme parks and others are working to ease the challenges of travel for people with autism, A.D.H.D and other “invisible disabilities.”
After decades of caring for his autistic son, Ryan, Adam Murphy, a 51-year-old father of three from Gloucestershire, England, noticed that Ryan, 27, was becoming a bit more open to trying new things. His son, Mr. Murphy realized, might be able to take his first airplane ride.
But traveling would not be without difficulties.
“Going to our local supermarket could be a challenge,” said Mr. Murphy. “So how do you do that?”
Travel, by nature, brings with it changes in routine and environment, unpredictable situations, and oftentimes, sensory overload — all of which can be overwhelming to neurodivergent children and adults, which can include those diagnosed with disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and autism.
Some 78 percent of families with autistic members, as well as people who are themselves autistic, said they were hesitant to travel in a 2022 survey by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, an organization that trains and certifies travel professionals to assist families and individuals with special needs. But 94 percent of those surveyed said they would travel more if they had access to options that are certified to recognize and understand the needs of people with autism.
Those options are increasing. In recent years, the travel industry has worked to become more inclusive of neurodivergent travelers, with airports offering sensory rooms and trained staff, hotels and resorts changing booking processes and accommodating those with special needs, and destinations becoming certified, by autism specialists specifically, to serve autistic visitors.
But travelers and families still need to choose itineraries that fit their needs, factoring in details like flights, hotel menus and floor plans, noise and crowds, and proximity to activities.