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Storyboarding for Home Education Trips: A Neurodiversity-Friendly Guide (Natural History Museum, London)
- Chetana Greenwood
- Jan 19
- 4 min read
Why day trips can feel overwhelming (and why that’s not “bad behaviour”)
Trips into London can be exciting, but they can also be a lot. Big stations, crowds, unfamiliar rules, loud announcements, bright lights, and the unpredictability of travel can push anxious and neurodivergent learners into survival mode.
For autistic learners (and many ADHD, dyslexic, and sensory-sensitive young people), it’s often the uncertainty that hurts most. Not knowing what comes next can make even a brilliant day out feel unsafe.
That’s where storyboarding comes in.
"Storyboarding isn't about controlling the behavior; it’s about providing the access."
What is a storyboard (and why it works so well for autistic and neurodivergent learners)
A storyboard is a simple, visual “road map” of what will happen, step by step. It usually includes:
Photos (or clear images) of key places
Short, concrete captions
The order of events
Helpful options for support (quiet spaces, breaks, alternative ways to engage)
Storyboards work because they:
Reduce uncertainty by making the day predictable
Support executive functioning (learners don’t have to hold the whole plan in their head)
Lower anxiety by showing the environment in advance
Create a shared script that learners, parents/carers, and staff can all refer to
Increase independence (learners can check the next step themselves)
In other words: it’s not about controlling young people. It’s about giving them access.
What a great trip storyboard includes (your practical checklist)
If you’re creating a storyboard for a museum trip, aim to include:
The meeting point (with a photo)
How to enter the station (ticket gates, signs to follow)
What “going down” looks like (escalators, lifts if relevant)
The journey broken into small chunks (line names, number of stops)
Transfers explained clearly (what to follow, what it might feel like)
Arrival steps (tunnels, exits, walking routes)
The plan inside the museum (focus areas + choice time)
Support options (quiet spaces, sensory breaks, audio guides)
A reminder that needs can change (permission to ask for breaks)
A real example: our Natural History Museum storyboard (Waterloo to South Kensington)
For our upcoming trip to the Natural History Museum, we created a learner-friendly travel storyboard for families.
The goal was simple: make the day feel knowable.
Here’s the journey we mapped out in clear, manageable steps:
Meet under the big clock at Waterloo Station (a clear, familiar landmark)
Follow the “Underground” signs to the ticket gates
Head down to the platform (we included what this looks like, because “going underground” can feel intense)
First train: Jubilee line for one stop to Westminster
Transfer at Westminster by following corridors and escalators (we prepare learners for the “in-between” spaces)
Final leg: District or Circle line for three stops to South Kensington
Walk through the long tiled museum tunnel (this is a big sensory moment for many learners)
Arrive at the grand main entrance
We also included a quick “preview” option (for example, scanning a code to see what an Underground train looks like). For many learners, seeing it first lowers the fear factor massively.
Inside the museum: structure and autonomy
A common mistake on trips is over-scheduling every minute. That can backfire, especially for learners who need control to feel safe.
So we plan for both:
A clear learning focus (for this trip: geology, ecosystems, population, and natural disasters)
Dedicated “choice time” so learners can follow their interests
A main base area (we’ll spend most of our time in the Earth, Minerals, and Environment galleries)
This balance matters. Predictability reduces anxiety, and choice builds motivation.
Built-in neurodiversity support: quiet spaces and audio guides
Storyboarding isn’t just about the route. It’s also about proactively naming support.
In our guide we highlight:
Sensory breaks and low-sensory quiet spaces (because sometimes it gets too loud, and that’s okay)
Audio guides for learners who find reading lots of signs tiring or overwhelming
When these supports are normalised in the plan, learners are much more likely to use them early, rather than waiting until they’re already overloaded.
Tips for home-educating parents: how to use the storyboard at home (without turning it into a “big thing”)
You don’t need to over-teach the storyboard. A few gentle touchpoints are usually enough:
Look through it together once, then again a day or two before the trip
Ask: “Which part feels easiest? Which part might feel tricky?”
Choose one simple coping plan (for example: headphones, a fidget, a snack, a break signal)
Remind your child: “You’re allowed to take breaks. You’re not in trouble.”
Tips for educators and group leaders: how to make storyboarding even more effective
A storyboard is most powerful when it’s paired with supportive practice on the day:
Use the same language as the storyboard (“Next step: ticket gates”) so it feels familiar
Keep instructions short and concrete
Offer choices that don’t overwhelm (“Lift or escalator?” “Walk with me or just behind?”)
Build in micro-pauses before transitions
Assume sensory needs will fluctuate and plan flexibility
The bigger picture: storyboarding is an inclusion tool
When we storyboard, we’re saying:
We expect anxiety and sensory needs, and we plan for them
We don’t wait for a child to struggle before we support
We design experiences that are accessible from the start
And that’s what inclusion looks like in real life.
Want support that’s calm, structured, and neurodiversity-affirming?
At The ALH, we support autistic and neurodivergent home-educated learners with practical scaffolds that reduce anxiety and build independence, whether that’s in lessons, revision, or real-world experiences like trips.
If you’d like to chat about how we support learners (or you’d like a copy of our trip storyboard approach for your own family or setting), get in touch via thealh.co.uk and we’ll point you in the right direction.
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