To ONLY those who are on the AUTISTIC SPECTRUM: Do you drive?

Question

Hi there,

Sorry if I sound ignorant and foolish. I have a child with autism. I know it's different for every child, but I was curious about others on the spectrum. Do you have a driver's license and do you drive?

I am trying to make connection with individuals on the spectrum as I haven't met adults who are on the spectrum.

Thank you for your time and kind support. I wish to pose other questions in future which would require your opinions. Please stay tuned. I'd highly appreciate it if you could kindly take a moment to forward my question to as many people as you know of who are on the spectrum.

Thank you so much!!

Answer 1

Hi,

I was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism about two years ago. I never knew I had it until then, I just knew that life in general was a WHOLE LOT more difficult for me than it appeared to be for other people. No one ever guessed that my social issues and public anxiety were caused by autism, because my I.Q. was way above average and I was an extremely gifted artist and musician.

I do drive, but I try to avoid driving for long periods, because I can become quite anxious and even go into typical autistic "shut down" in the middle of rush hour if I don't pull over soon enough! The thing is that I don't know if people who have been diagnosed with autism before they get their drivers license would meet with any resistance while trying to attain one. I haven't made my diagnosis know to "the powers that be" and I'm kind of glad that I haven't. It makes it so much easier to just try to act like everyone else and continue to learn skills so that I don't have to be seen as different.

My biggest piece of advice for you in the raising of your autistic child would be to protect your child's psyche from those who try to tell him/her that something is impossible for them to accomplish. I think the reason I have been able to accomplish as much as I have in my life (including getting a degree in Microbiology) is because I wasn't told that I was incapable. You have a great adventure ahead of you and so many blessing if you can keep people with negative attitudes from suppressing your child's AMAZING potential. I wish you the best of luck and enjoyment in the raising of your uniquely awesome child!

"What we need are more people who specialize in the impossible"
Theodore Roethke

Answer 2

Sure do. I also used to drive a motorcycle. One difference though, I have Asperger's.

Though my body-spatial coordination is a little off, it only affects me when walking through crowds or cluttered areas. My senses and reflexes are sharp and those are pretty important when driving. The biggest problem has been other drivers who are constantly distracted.

I drive a cheap sports car with a manual short-throw transmission. Much better for city and traffic driving.

One thing worth doing for your child, not only for driving but in general, is some type of physical therapy to help with coordination and sensory processing issues. A physical therapist would be able to do this, and some school systems will have a special services teacher or therapist who can do this.

Answer 3

I may or may not be able to drive.

I've been able to apply for a permit for six months now, but have been avoiding it for as long as possible. I don't trust my processing speed to be adequate for driving at this point, and I absorb a bunch of details that I'd have to discriminate between, plus not get fascinated with flashing turn signals and the sun reflecting off of cars.

But I'm going to try to take the written test for a permit and attempt to learn sometime this year. I'm just not sure whether I'll succeed or not yet.

Answer 4

Yes, I drive. I have taught driving classes. One of my students drives very well. Another says that she can't because of autism. We are all on the autism spectrum, but have different manifestations. People with autism are as different as people in general.

Answer 5

Hi
I am meant to have weaver's syndrome which is an Autistic Spectrum disorder but i feel it's a misdiagnosis, anyway to answer your question because of my poor co-ordination i took lessons in an automatic car but i didn't do many lessons.

Answer 6

my son has it and he is 7 and may or may not depending on how he keepe progressing. One of my friends has 2 kids with it and her junior high kid will not be able to drive and her son in 4th grade will be able to. another friend who has an 11 year old she might be able to.
then there is a docter in our area who has it and can drive and is doing well in life. another mom i know has a 10 year old with it and will be able to drive.
ifound out it is the severaty of it and if they can understand the rules of driving and understand saftey issues.

Answer 7

Yes and no I have been learning to drive for the past couple of years. It has taken me longer than most, but aspies can learn to drive. Many aspies have a harder time learning to drive.

Answer 8

I worked with a student that was autistic but, he was very high functioning. I predict when he is of age he will have no problem getting his driver's license.

Answer 9

I might be able to drive someday I have a good chance.I'm only11,so I'm Not sure.I have autism.

Answer 10

I don't drive, but I havn't had driving lessons yet. Driving sounds like it could be diffucult though because of multitasking.