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From Worry to Wow: Our UK/2025 Adventure with Aarav, Aayansh & Yenki

Posted by Manoj Asrani on

Traveling with kids is an adventure.


Traveling with a child who has autism and ADHD? That’s a different kind of journey altogether — one filled with anticipation, preparation, and yes… fear.

When we decided to take our sons Aarav and Aayansh to London, we were hopeful but deeply anxious.

Would the flight be too much?
Would the new surroundings unsettle Aayansh?
Would we manage as a family or just survive the experience?

But what actually happened was nothing short of transformational.
We didn’t just travel — we connected, learned, grew, and came back with memories we’ll treasure forever.

✈️ A Thoughtful Start: Kindness at 35,000 Feet

Before we even reached London, we experienced something beautiful — community and compassion in the air.

Knowing the long flight might be challenging for Aayansh, we created handwritten notes for every fellow passenger. In each, we introduced our son, explained that he is autistic and might have meltdowns, and thanked them for their patience in advance.

Along with the note, we included:

  • A badge with the autism symbol
  • A pair of earplugs
  • Some candies
  • A small token of gratitude

This wasn’t just about managing expectations — it was about raising awareness with empathy.

And the result?

We weren’t met with judgment.
We were met with support.
Smiles, offers to help, kind glances — it made us feel seen. And safe.

🏡 Marylebone: The Stay That Made It All Work

The biggest win of the entire trip?
Our decision to stay in Marylebone, just off Bond Street.

With Hyde Park on one side and Regent’s Park on the other, and walking access to Oxford Street, Piccadilly, and Soho — our location gave us:

  • Minimal travel and zero stress
  • Morning walks in quiet green spaces with Aayansh (who wakes up at 5 AM!)
  • Fantastic food options right around the corner
  • And a peaceful base to return to after every outing

And let’s not forget the beautiful weather — cool, gentle, and perfect for family strolls. The city just felt like it was built for our rhythm.

🌳 Our Mornings With Aayansh

Every morning started early — really early.
But instead of struggling indoors, we embraced it.

With coffee in hand, we’d take Aayansh for a walk through Regent’s Park — his happy place. Ducks, flowers, open space… it grounded him. And us.

It became our sacred routine, and it made every day easier.

💙 Aayansh: Thriving in His Own Way

With his sensory tools (pop-it pipes!), visual guides, and lots of open space, Aayansh adapted better than we ever expected.

From Hyde Park to Covent Garden, from boat rides to the London Underground — he found his moments of joy, calm, and curiosity.

He didn’t follow our rhythm.
He created his own.
And we followed. And that changed everything.

💫 Aarav: The Kind Big Brother

While we focused on Aayansh, Aarav quietly became our rock.

He explored, asked questions, soaked up the city — and constantly looked out for his little brother.

But the most heart-melting moment?
On our anniversary night, Aarav said:
“Why don’t you two go out for dinner? I’ll take care of Aayansh.”

That one sentence… gave us the confidence to go.
Just a couple of hours of being “us” again — knowing our son had our back.
Aarav isn’t just growing. He’s blooming.

👑 Beyond London: Windsor, Oxford & Bicester

We took a few short getaways that added magic to the trip:

  • Windsor: Staying opposite Windsor Castle, by the Thames River, was like stepping into a royal postcard. The kids were fascinated, and we were at peace.
  • Oxford: A day of discovery, cobbled streets, and historic beauty. Aarav loved the academic aura.
  • Bicester Village: Some relaxed shopping in an open-air setting — easy, elegant, and enjoyable for all.

💭 What We Learned

This wasn’t just a vacation. It was a shift in mindset.

We learned:

  • That planning makes everything possible
  • That the right stay is more important than the number of sights
  • That travel with autism is not just doable, it’s beautiful
  • And most importantly — that our kids, especially Aayansh, are full of surprise and strength

💌 A Message to Fellow Parents

If you’re raising a child with autism or ADHD and you’ve wondered, “Can we ever take a trip like that?”
Let this be your sign.

YES, YOU CAN.

You’ll need preparation.
You’ll need empathy.
You’ll need flexibility.
But more than anything, you’ll need to say yes — and trust that magic will meet you halfway.

🏁 In Gratitude

Thank you, London.
For the parks, the weather, the warmth.
For welcoming Aayansh’s energy and Aarav’s kindness.
For giving us the space to be not just tourists, but a stronger, happier family.

We left our fears at home.
And we came back with hearts full of joy.

From worry… to wow.

🧩 For Parents with Special Kids :

Want to know what we packed in our sensory travel kit, or need a copy of the awareness note we gave fellow passengers? Drop a comment or message me — happy to share! 💙

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