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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC 4.0BMJ Open

‘Navigating the ride’: stakeholder perspectives on public transportation challenges for children with autism in India

  • Aksa Sara Biju1
  • Joseph Thomas Raj Bedford2
  • Reema Samuel2
  1. 1Occupational Therapy Education & Services, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
  2. 2Department of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
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Abstract

Objective: To explore the perspectives of primary caregivers, healthcare professionals and transport personnel regarding the challenges associated with public transportation for children with autism spectrum disorder in India.

Design: This study applied a descriptive phenomenological qualitative design.

Setting: The study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching centre in South India.

Participants: 21 participants comprising nine primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder, six healthcare professionals and six transport personnel were recruited using purposive maximum variability sampling.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with the participants and audio-recorded for transcription. The transcripts were manually coded and analysed using Systematic Text Condensation.

Results: The results demonstrate that public transport is a complex social ecosystem comprising the child, caregivers, co-passengers and transport personnel. Healthcare professionals and policymakers, while not directly involved in travel, also influence the experience. Three major themes were identified: challenges associated with public transport, facilitators for better travel experiences and stakeholder recommendations for improving travel experiences.

Conclusions: This study identified key barriers to accessing public transport for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Facilitators and potential strategies to address travel-related challenges are also discussed. These findings provide insights into stakeholder perspectives that may inform efforts to improve accessibility and travel experiences on public transport for children.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{biju2026navigating,
  title = {{‘Navigating the ride’: stakeholder perspectives on public transportation challenges for children with autism in India}},
  author = {Aksa Sara Biju and Joseph Thomas Raj Bedford and Reema Samuel},
  journal = {BMJ Open},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2025-114263},
  url = {https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-114263},
  note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - ‘Navigating the ride’: stakeholder perspectives on public transportation challenges for children with autism in India
AU  - Aksa Sara Biju
AU  - Joseph Thomas Raj Bedford
AU  - Reema Samuel
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/05
JO  - BMJ Open
DO  - 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-114263
UR  - https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-114263
AB  - Objective: To explore the perspectives of primary caregivers, healthcare professionals and transport personnel regarding the challenges associated with public transportation for children with autism spectrum disorder in India.  Design: This study applied a descriptive phenomenological qualitative design.  Setting: The study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching centre in South India.  Participants: 21 participants comprising nine primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder, six healthcare professionals and six transport personnel were recruited using purposive maximum variability sampling.  Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with the participants and audio-recorded for transcription. The transcripts were manually coded and analysed using Systematic Text Condensation.  Results: The results demonstrate that public transport is a complex social ecosystem comprising the child, caregivers, co-passengers and transport personnel. Healthcare professionals and policymakers, while not directly involved in travel, also influence the experience. Three major themes were identified: challenges associated with public transport, facilitators for better travel experiences and stakeholder recommendations for improving travel experiences.  Conclusions: This study identified key barriers to accessing public transport for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Facilitators and potential strategies to address travel-related challenges are also discussed. These findings provide insights into stakeholder perspectives that may inform efforts to improve accessibility and travel experiences on public transport for children.
SN  - 2044-6055
SN  - 2044-6055
ER  -