Travel writer Rebecca Hallett, diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in her early thirties, has collaborated with Rough Guides to release "Travelling With ADHD." The handbook provides practical advice and strategies designed to help neurodivergent individuals navigate the complexities of travel.
Hallett's diagnosis brought clarity to her personal experiences, prompting her to address the challenges neurodivergent travelers often face. The book breaks down each stage of a journey, from packing and airport navigation to exploring new destinations, offering support for those who exhibit patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity.
"We tend to be really curious and interested in a lot of things, which can make travelling super exciting and rewarding, but also make it very hard to plan and pick what you're going to do," Hallett stated. She noted that airports, with their constant sensory input, can be particularly overwhelming.
"Airports can be very noisy, with random smells, random sounds, and a lot of people bumping into you... You need to have your passport, you need to have your visa in advance, you need to make sure the right things are in your hand luggage and hold luggage, then there's the fear of missing flights and trains," she explained.
The handbook is structured into three main sections: "Before You Go," which covers planning, packing, and administrative tasks; "During Your Trip," offering guidance on navigation, time management, and sensory overload; and "Back Home," providing advice on readjusting to routine.
Hallett suggests practical packing methods, such as using physical lists and placing needed items in visible locations like the middle of the bathroom floor or near the front door. She also noted that digital notes can be ineffective if not constantly visible.
Despite common stereotypes, Hallett pointed out that ADHD can also foster strengths, such as heightened observation skills. "I often find when I'm on a trip that I'll notice a lot of things people don't notice, partly because of not being able to decide when my attention goes. I'm taking everything in, and that can lead to really fun situations of noticing something down an alleyway that looks interesting, or smelling a local dish we need to try."
However, certain destinations can be particularly challenging. Hallett identified New York City and Johannesburg as places that, at times, felt overwhelming due to constant sensory input or the sheer unfamiliarity of cultural contexts. Densely populated cities like those in Japan, India, and Brazil were also noted as potentially daunting for neurodivergent travelers.
Hallett also addressed safety concerns, advocating for nuanced advice over broad generalizations. "When we make blanket statements like 'women shouldn't travel alone,' we're denying people incredible experiences," she said.
For those new to traveling or feeling apprehensive, Hallett recommends starting with smaller trips, such as a domestic retreat or a local beach vacation. She also emphasized that neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism, represents a difference in brain function rather than a deficit.
"I think ADHD and autism and the forms of neurodivergence are normal difference. I don't think there's something wrong. If you have ADHD, if you have autism, it's not that there's something wrong with your brain, there's something different with your brain," Hallett stated. She suggested that many creative individuals may be neurodivergent, drawing parallels to historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci.