Traveling when you’re neurodivergent

By Archie Mcfadzean 

What do you do when the train doesn't arrive or when a bus is delayed? For some people, this may be just a nuisance, but for people who are neurodivergent, this can be overwhelming and exhausting. 

On my first week of college, at the end of a great first day, the bus that I was waiting for did not turn up, then my phone decided to be helpful and die. Thankfully I only had to wait another half an hour before it came, but by then I was drained.

I asked a member of the public who was also waiting for the bus. What would they do if something were to go wrong? She said: “As I have a young child who I need to pick up from school, I always let my husband know if my way home is affected, and he usually uses that as an excuse to not cook and get a Chinese takeaway.”  

Remembering to keep your phone charged may seem like common sense. Phones are always with us. Even so, when you're commuting by yourself, it's always best to tell somebody where you’re starting and finishing, so they know where to find you if anything goes wrong, like your phone being unhelpful. 

Train cancellations are arguably one of the more stressful moments of travelling. Train tickets are expensive, and we usually take trains over longer distances. A few weeks ago, I was meant to be travelling back to Stirling at around 12 o'clock, when I heard on the Tannoy that the train had been cancelled. This made me very stressed, as the next train wasn't due for several hours. Luckily, there was a bus that was able to take me home.  

Here are a few tips that I would recommend: if something happens to your train, make sure you can tell a parent, carer or friend how it is going to affect your journey. Speak toa member of staff; they are usually helpful, and they may suggest another train or other relevant information. Stay calm and take some breaths; it's only a train.