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

[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 ? I want to learn to drive and I have Asperger's syndrome but I was told I can't or it would be harder unsafe to drive on the high way/free way by family my question is it possible to drive a car without going on the high ways can the high ways/free ways be avoided when driving is this possible because I have met people who drive but don't go on the free way I have also talked to people with Asperger's syndrome who drive but don't go on the free way ?



ASPERGER'S SYNDROME AND DRIVING

http://www.angelfire.com/amiga/aut/driveas.html

[gizmo980]

I have a good friend with Asperger's, and he not only drives but is really into cars! He even worked as a helicopter mechanic at one time, and was trusted with some very expensive machines. Everyone is different, though, and I don't know your specific behaviors/symptoms - so it's probably best to check with a doctor and the DMV before trying.

[303Guy]

Many people with Aspergers are excellent drivers. I started out life as a very nervous driver but I had very quick reactions and could handle a car pretty well. I became more prone to loss of attention so I learned rules to compensate. I'm the guy with a healthy following distance and it has saved me many times. Learn safety routines and make them habit. But start out slow (I don't mean speed wise). Of course, your Aspergers will likely be different to mine. My son couldn't drive without someone because he would lose concentration and make mistakes but he was suffering from anxiety and depression so his brain wasn't working properly. He did eventually drive but he also had some close calls.

Learn to drive on a quite country road, then learn all the safety rules and use healthy margins of error. Gain confidence then only try handling other traffic like in one other car on the road then move up. You will need a very good driving coach.

Good luck!
303Guy

[wawa1992]

Yes. I am 21 and was diagnosed with Asperger's at 5. I got my license at 19 (about two years ago) and have never had a single ticket or wreck, even a fender bender. I have some limitations - no big city downtowns, for instance - but I can drive 98% of the places I want or need to go, so having to have my parents drive me is a rarity. I go to college 17 miles from home and drive daily. My car seats five. I'm complimented as a safe driver by the people who have ridden in my car.

I've even given two Honda enthusiasts their first ever rides in a 2008 or newer Accord.

[MOKAN]

I've never heard of Asperger's preventing somebody from being able to drive.

I have heard of anxiety doing so.

[303Guy]

Originally Posted by MOKAN

I've never heard of Asperger's preventing somebody from being able to drive.

I have heard of anxiety doing so.

Well, my son couldn't drive very well. He had trouble paying attention to the road. But then he did have depression and anxiety. When he left school he couldn't catch a bus! But he learned how to catch a bus and he did finally drive a car. Up until he was about 23 I would take him driving every time I went to see him and that was often. He drove OK but just the concentration thing. I was very nervous so avoided heavy traffic situations as far as possible. Mind you, I got stressed in crowds and so avoided those too. Shopping for clothes would send my tress levels through the roof! However, I cannot say that my nervousness was caused by my Aspergers or not. I suspect it was. But I did drive and in the city too. I also have a very low accident rate - like zero and I'm not young. (Actually, there was this one occasion when I was drunk on a dark bush road at night .... )

[MOKAN]

Originally Posted by 303Guy

Well, my son couldn't drive very well. He had trouble paying attention to the road. But then he did have depression and anxiety. When he left school he couldn't catch a bus! But he learned how to catch a bus and he did finally drive a car. Up until he was about 23 I would take him driving every time I went to see him and that was often. He drove OK but just the concentration thing. I was very nervous so avoided heavy traffic situations as far as possible. Mind you, I got stressed in crowds and so avoided those too. Shopping for clothes would send my tress levels through the roof! However, I cannot say that my nervousness was caused by my Aspergers or not. I suspect it was. But I did drive and in the city too. I also have a very low accident rate - like zero and I'm not young. (Actually, there was this one occasion when I was drunk on a dark bush road at night .... )

I have anxiety issues too, ADHD, and I've wondered about Asperger's, but I think I just have combination of social anxiety and ADHD that sort of looks like Asperger's. Anyway, it's interesting how we're all different. Driving has always invigorated, empowered, and stimulated me. I have no problem focusing on driving and keeping my eyes on the road. Not that it's really related to this thread so much, but I've also tended to not be bothered by crowds, but rather when in smaller groups (especially when organized, like classes) or social-specific situations. Although, it probably depends on the type of crowd. I think I'd be more nervous in a crowd of people all my age, especially if it wasn't very mixed up and if I felt like I stood out.

Anyway, you were drunk on a "bush road"? Is "bush" what you guys call the country (rural areas)? Does "bush" apply to a broader sense? Like, could you say "so and so has a house out in the bushes"? lol

[jzeig104]

My son has Aspbergers and ADHD and is 26. He has his permit, which he has had for about 4 years (yes, 4 years!) but he keeps shying away from taking the test. He has practiced on several different types of roads, in freeway and rural traffic, but he just cant seem to get to the point of taking his test. He schedules the test and then does go when it is scheduled.

Can any of you offer ideas to "get him over the last obstacle," which seems to be his courage/beliefs/mind??

[303Guy]

Anyway, you were drunk on a "bush road"? Is "bush" what you guys call the country (rural areas)? Does "bush" apply to a broader sense? Like, could you say "so and so has a house out in the bushes"? lol

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!

My son has Aspbergers and ADHD and is 26. He has his permit, which he has had for about 4 years (yes, 4 years!) but he keeps shying away from taking the test. He has practiced on several different types of roads, in freeway and rural traffic, but he just cant seem to get to the point of taking his test. He schedules the test and then does go when it is scheduled.

Can any of you offer ideas to "get him over the last obstacle," which seems to be his courage/beliefs/mind??

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.

[Zot]

Originally Posted by truthseeker63

Can People with Asperger's syndrome learn how to drive a Car ?

Yes. They can graduate college, become loving parents, and enjoy a wonderful life.