London Travel

Hello, and thank you for your question. There are a few different ways that you can go about this. One option is to look into hiring a private car service specifically for autistic families. There are a few companies that offer this service, and it can be a great way to avoid the stress of public transportation. Another option is to plan your trip to the theatre around off-peak hours. This can help reduce the crowds and the overall noise level, making it a more manageable experience for everyone involved. Also, I remember when I stayed at [link removed by mod], they hired a company to transport autistic clients from the airport to the hotel. You could reach them and ask for the contact of the transportation company.

edited by Liz mod

Hi! I see you've given us a tricky task. I will try to give you a helpful answer. It's nothing new that autistic children tend always to draw something or do other specific activities. Therefore, I suggest you give them the chance to start a travel journal where they could pen down places you've been (theatre) or are planning to visit. Here you can find some free templates https://www.thetravellog.net. That way might improve their motivation and tolerance to outside stressful triggers. In my situation, it worked. Please keep me updated on what you'd decide. Cheers!

Due to the covid pandemic, many people lost their jobs, of course, including me. But it's not so bad; I found a new job that I like much more, earning a little more than before. There is no time for vacation and rest yet, but I think everything will work out as soon as the pandemic is over! I have already planned to go on holiday as soon as the first opportunity appears. My dream since childhood was to ride a train and visit London. That is why as soon as the quarantine ends, I will immediately buy train tickets through [link removed by moderator] to get to London as pleasantly and comfortably as possible.

It’s tricky.

London zone1 is trigger land. Of biggest concern is your comments about the nightlife, I’d suggest that going to the theatre means you will not be able to avoid all these issues

id suggest a compromise. Maybe help you manage a response.

you could leave earlier on the tube, go to British museum or something first? Why not take a bus at least it’s a fixed variable and you have a degree of space? In either case you’ll miss the rickshaws at least to some extent.

You could deliberately overshoot your stop, instead of getting off in Leicester Square/Covent garden why not try holborn, Charing Cross, even the embankment and walk in. At least there will be a little acclimatisation period.

unfortunately, if your theatre is on Shaftesbury ave, or adjacent, you will have crowds and lights and sound. I really struggle with v large crowds so I can’t really advise further. but there you go

*Bearing in mind the theatre district is much. But it’s usually quiet in Benjamin Pollocks toy shop, toilets lower ground.  The crypt cafe (tho I haven’t been in years). Cafe in the Crypt used to be a nice escape too 

Would it be a  learning experience for them say with ear defenders and scarfs or masks? Maybe sunglasses? I get exhausted but I love the train, the tube, reading on it… feeling a little bit like society haha 

There are moments that one cannot prepare enough for but then I reroute. If a few possibilities are routed in advance maybe over a map and if possible together, with identifications of public toilets and the best coffee shops with cocoa, it can become a bit more like an adventure. I do somewhat only get on public transport and into shops with ear plugs. 

Every major city I have to be in I have hunted down and created a constellation of coffee shops and quiet spaces in. Public libraries and art galleries during the day never seem to disappoint. 

Do you live in London or will you be travelling from further afield?