Can People with Asperger's syndrome learn how to drive a Car ? I have met several people with Asperger's syndrome who dr (introvert, problems)

[Rubi3]

Some people with Aspergers can do whatever they want to do. My son is awkward in social situations, but that's his main limitation.

[maniac77]

Originally Posted by 303Guy

It was actually a deep dark forest. I had consumed too much and did not want to drive through town (which only had one main road) so I went around the back way through this forest. I forgot to take my foot off the throttle after a short steep climb. I really had consumed too much!

I wish I could. My son sounds like yours. He only got his learners.

This anxiety thing seems to afflict people with Aspergers quite often. My son had Aspergers and ADHD. I had ADD with my Aspergers. I was a very nervous person. I got my drivers licence by going to a driving school and being coached through traffic. There is a sense of security when assisted by a trainer. This car did not have dual controls. I had no attention problems while driving, just in a classroom. On the plus side I was very good at saving myself in a situation. Another part of me would take over and put me into hyper-drive. I've just remembered I did have an accident in which an oncoming truck skidded out in front of me. I avoided hitting it but someone else blocked my escape around the back of the truck and I clipped him. When I went back to the scene I couldn't believe the short distance the whole thing took place in. Everything seemed much longer in space and time.

My mother on the other hand never learned to drive. She just couldn't. My Dad taught me to drive and he was a very good driver and coach. He could not teach my mother. He said she just wasn't capable of driving and he was right. She was autistic. Nobody knew of course. I only figured it out last year and my niece had figured it out too. She did not have anxiety.

I'm 36, have Asperger's Syndrome, and don't drive. I have my instructional permit, but I've never had a driver's license. I did take the driving test twice and failed both times very quickly. I'm filled with anxiety and get distracted every time I get behind the wheel. I hate how I feel when I'm behind the wheel, and I don't trust myself enough to make correct decisions on the road. I also have motor skill problems and tend to misread social cues in interactions with others, which extends to other drivers on the road as well. I would never want to harm someone else, so I make do without driving. It has been difficult at times just because I live in Iowa, but I live close to work and the grocery store. Those are the only two places I need to go to on a regular basis, so it works out for me. I have still lived my life the way that I've wanted for the most part. There have been times in the winter when a car would be handy, but not driving doesn't hold me back from opportunities because I'm not really interested in much outside my weird little world. I do see how not driving could limit opportunities for others though and I don't endorse a car-less lifestyle for most people. There's such a stigma associated with people not driving that most people wouldn't be able to tolerate. People like to make judgmental comments about it, but I don't mind. I am who I am.

To answer the OP's question, people with Asperger's Syndrome can absolutely learn how to drive a car. Some are excellent drivers. I just don't feel like I'm one of them. I'm sure I could learn too, but I don't want to do what it takes to overcome it. I could never afford a car anyway.

[303Guy]

That's great insight into Asperger's Syndrome, maniac77. Thanks for posting.

[parentologist]

Yes! It is very possible. Just need plenty of time behind the wheel with a competent, calm, understanding, and supportive driver by your side. Don't get discouraged. Just get lots and lots of practice time. It may take you longer to get comfortable with it, it may take a year of practicing, but it is very possible.

[MeteoMan]

Well I can certainly drive alright, very confidently. Not all Aspergers people are dyspraxic or have problems with spatial co-ordination. I got on with my driving instructor well too. I have always been interested in the operation of machinery and therefore that helped me to learn quicker. I had practice in a parent's care as well. In fact when I was new to driving I was over confident and probably drove a bit over the top. I have very fast reaction times. Some of the country roads in the UK, despite being very dangerous, have the default national speed limit of 60mph. So I never actually "broke the law" when doing such speeds on those roads, but the roads are tiny, barely enough space for two car widths, and full of blind bends, and it scared a few other people on the road so I stopped doing it and don't drive like that any more.

[mordant]

Originally Posted by truthseeker63

Can People with Asperger's syndrome learn how to drive a Car ? I have met several people with Asperger's syndrome who drive Cars and have learned how to drive is it possible for people with Asperger's syndrome to learn how to drive a Car?

Since you have met several Aspies who drive cars, it's obvious that it's possible for an Aspie to drive a car. The correct question is, are you one of the subset of Aspies who can do so? It all depends on how it effects you. Asperger's Syndrome is not a fixed set of symptoms, it is on a spectrum. Some people are more impaired in certain areas than others. Some people have co-morbidities and some do not.

Be guided by professional advice. Don't become obsessed with the idea of driving a car to the point that you exclude considering all the factors involved, including the ones that might argue against you attempting it, and therefore against your desires. You can't have everything that you want.

Think of driving a car as a powerful cultural SYMBOL of independence and self sufficiency. It's just a symbol, though. If the symbol proves to be unattainable for you, then you just have to find other ways to be independent and self sufficient. There are countless other ways.

[303Guy]

Well said, mordant.

I have very fast reaction times too but I don't have the nerve for high speed manoeuvres. Farm track driving is different - there I could push the limits. It's speed that scares me - I see the consequences of a miscalculation or some other mishap so I feel fear.

[brokencrayola]

There is no one answer to this question. Asperger's is an autism spectrum diagnosis, so there are many different levels of severity. Some people with Asperger's are very high functioning and can hold a full-time job, drive, buy a home, marry and have kids etc. Then there are others that will never be able to care for themselves, and everything in-between. I have 3 sons that all have Asperger's, 2 of which also have ADHD. All 3 of them range in age from 21-26. Two of them still live at home with me and one lives a few blocks away. None of my sons drive. One of them would like to learn how to drive a car to a certain extent, the other 2 have no interest. These are 3 people that cannot focus on anything outside of a video game or talking to each other for very long at all. I cannot imagine them being able to watch the road, watch for other drivers, watch for lights and stop signs, and do all that is involved with driving. Honestly it scares me to death to think of them driving. When they were in high school they offered drivers ed, but the school counselor recommenced they not take that class because they were not able to do what is required to drive. I haven't shut the door on this. If any of them get to a point where they seem like they could drive, we will pursue that.

[Perfect Stranger]

I've read that people with Asperger's can't use full stops.

[303Guy]

Originally Posted by Perfect Stranger

I've read that people with Asperger's can't use full stops.

I don't understand that one. Unless you were kidding? But I suppose it could happen, after all, some people can't step on the joints in the paving although I thought that was just a normal thing some kids do. I have heard of it as an adult phobia/compulsion.

I tend to be rigid in following the road safety rules plus a few of my own that I've created for my own safety. However, I do occasionally take a calculated risk or do a manoeuvre that I shouldn't if I deem it safe enough to get away with (meaning that I won't get caught). I won't compromise safety though.