World Autism Awareness Day has taken place on April 2 every year since 2007 to promote the full realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms for autistic individuals, thereby ensuring their equal participation in society. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. According to the World Health Organization, it affects approximately one per cent of children worldwide and approximately one in 127 people, according to a 2021 study.
The characterisation of autism as a “disorder” or something abnormal has historically been a prevailing sentiment, but in the 21st century, it has started to receive pushback from autistic individuals, researchers, and allies. The phrase “neurodiversity” has gained prominence and support in recent years; it describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways and that there is no one “right” way of thinking, learning, and behaving.
In 2025, the theme for World Autism Awareness Day is “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” which will highlight the intersection between neurodiversity and global sustainability efforts, showcasing how inclusive policies and practices can drive positive change for autistic individuals worldwide.
In India, approximately 715 people out of 1,00,000 have autism according to 2025 data by the World Population Review. But, how does having autism or being on the spectrum affect one’s travel experiences?
Travel can be challenging for anyone, but especially for those with autism, changes in routine, the unpredictable nature of the activity, crowds, and unfamiliar noises and sights may be overwhelming.
A recent Booking.com survey on neurodivergent travellers in India bears this out. It found that 74 per cent of travellers would like quiet spaces in airports, hotels, and other key locations. Another 74 per cent expressed a strong desire for “travel rehearsals”—controlled experiences that allow them to navigate trip scenarios in advance.
While 79 per cent of neurodivergent Indian travellers feel the available support meets their needs, the survey shows that more than half (68 per cent) still experience difficulties while travelling, highlighting the need for better support, clearer communication, and greater understanding.
Tulika Prasad, an American resident who has an autistic son, Vedant, detailed her experiences about travelling in India with her child in an op-ed. Writing in 2022, she shared her initial apprehensions before boarding her flight from the US to India. “The long flight, the jet lag, the sensory overload, especially in terms of sound and a deluge of new faces… We were not sure how our son would respond to so many new experiences. Our fear was this might turn out to be a very negative experience for everyone,” Prasad wrote.
But, as it turned out, “the dimmed lights and his natural sleep cycle took care of most of his sleep. The rest of the time he enjoyed playing with his stuff, lying down in our laps, cosying up with us, and just getting our unadulterated attention.”
The jet lag was hard for the family, but Prasad persevered. “Instead of constantly trying to make him sleep, we tried to have more fun on the bed with him along with his little cousins. This helped make him feel safe and have a positive feeling about the bedroom. Soon he started sleeping better, and we were back on track,” she wrote.
The attention from relatives and cousins made Vedant a more confident boy, Prasad says, who dismissed the idea that he lacked social skills. “He just prefers a different kind of interaction. It’s us who may lack in our understanding of his needs,” she wrote.
“There was a lot that was new for Vedant during this trip, but he really took it all in his stride. The loud noises on the street bothered him, but he knew how to regulate himself instead of having a meltdown.”
The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) trains hotels, travel professionals, and visitor bureaus across the globe to be welcoming spaces for autistic and other neurodivergent visitors. Currently, more than 300 businesses are listed as “Autism-Certified Centres,” like the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, USA; Visalia in California; and the Al Jaddaf Rotana Suite Hotel in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
Furthermore, initiatives like the National Autistic Society's (United Kingdom) "I am autistic" travel card allow people to recognise autistic travellers who might need some extra time or help in certain situations. In Australia, an "autism alert card" informs emergency services and residents that the person carrying the card has autism and may require additional support. The autism card for travel includes two named contacts who can offer their support to help emergency and public services to understand better the individual's needs.
So, what would an autism-friendly travel experience look like? And how can we make travel easier for an autistic person?
For starters, building the infrastructure to better physically support travellers would be a step in the right direction. According to the Booking.com survey, 77 per cent of Indian neurodivergent travellers want industry-wide training programs to equip travel professionals to better support their needs, especially when venturing somewhere unknown.
Secondly, introducing “travel rehearsals” would go some way in mitigating the stress that comes with travelling. This would mean airlines introducing check-in, onboarding, and flight familiarisation experiences for Indian travellers to practice their journey in advance.
Thirdly, more sensory-friendly spaces should be built in hotels and airports, like the one that just opened at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru (read more here). More than three-quarters (77 per cent) of survey respondents said they would like access to sensory rooms where they can decompress and regulate their surroundings, while 74 per cent would like to see more designated quiet spaces during travel. Additionally, 75 per cent of Indian neurodivergent travellers want hotels and airlines to provide “block out noise” options to reduce auditory overload. This would mean hotels offering noise-cancelling headphones or white noise machines alongside standard amenities like hairdryers and toiletries.
Fourthly, more accessible and inclusive accommodations would be welcome, such as providing floor plans in advance or offering contact-free check-in, along with aircraft cabins designed with greater consideration for physical comfort and personal space.
Lastly, there’s also excitement about the potential for technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide solutions for a more inclusive experience. According to the aforementioned survey, almost four out of five respondents were interested in AI-powered tools that gave real-time travel updates, helping them navigate delays and itinerary changes with less stress. This extends to using AI to navigate through busy airports and hotels and identifying quieter spaces where autistic and neurodivergent individuals can find respite from sensory overload.
