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motherofhim
Blue Jay
Joined: Apr 25, 2005
Posts: 89
Location: USA East Coast
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 Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:02 pm Post subject: Can Aspies ususally drive? |
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My son is having a terrible time learning to drive. Today he slightly hit a tree but didn't hurt himself. Will he ever drive or is this something that Aspie's find too difficult?
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In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer........Albert Camus |
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sinsboldly
Free Range Aspie
Joined: Nov 22, 2006
Age: 58
Posts: 8238
Location: Oregon, USA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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I learned to drive at 14 and after driver's ed, got my licence at 16 and have had no more than fender benders and the occasional accident caused by other peoples miscalculations and I have been driving for 40 actual years. I give you hope for you son, because driving is one of those heavy focus occupations we Aspies excel in, after a few years of practice there will be nothing we miss in the changing panorama of being on the road, we will know how to not panic and be in complete control of the vehicle at all times, too. After all, we learned how to 'drive' our bodies, we can 'drive' a car. All we have to do is concentrate and we 'become' the car.
His 'hitting the tree a little' was a good start, too, cause now he is being able to judge just how 'big' he is in the car and how much space he needs to allow for himself plus vehicle. It seems like he is on the right track and is learning a skill that will help him for all of his life.
good on him!
Merle
oh, PS. . you see I didn't know I was an Aspie until I was 56, so I didn't know I wasn't suppose to do it well.
Last edited by sinsboldly on Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:42 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Shayne
Deinonychus
Joined: Apr 12, 2007
Posts: 345
Location: South Florida, USA Age: 24
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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i was under a lot of pressure to drive and had people holding my hand through the whole process of getting my liscense and getting my car
i took proffesional lessons in which they said that i would need more lessons than people usually have
the 1st time i tried to drive by myself this is when i was 22years i got in an accident at the 1st intersection that i came to.. i stopped as the light was red waited then the light from the turn lane turned green and i paniced and went straight the only thing that was on my mind was i didnt want the guy behind me to get mad at me for not going when the light turned green soon enough so sitting in the middle of the intersection i noticed that my light was red i didnt know what to do so i just hit the gas and hoped i could get through it but i was pummled by an SUV instead i then freaked left my car with it still running then as it rolled away i ws trying to hold it back with my hands it ran over my foot im screaming the whole time. somebody had top get out of their car to move my car and turn it off.
i think it really depends on the person and their coordination, attention span, and level of anxiety
ive always felt like i dont know what is going on outside those windows its a big world ive always been pretty oblivious to it and its overwhelming trying to adjust
Last edited by Shayne on Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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alexbeetle
Knight of the blackest black beetle
Joined: Mar 17, 2007
Posts: 1386
Location: beetle hole
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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I am an excellent driver so long as there are no other road users at the time. I did take a long time to learn (3 years) but got very good at controlling the car just never aware enough of everyone else. On my first driving test I nearly caused a pile up in the city centre and the examiner had to grab the wheel! I passed on the 3rd attempt and drove for a few years but then had a crash (no one hurt but car totalled). I don't consider myself a safe driver and haven't driven for 7 years apart from a scooter as at least I would be the only one hurt if I make a mistake. I think it is worth perservering and learning to drive and there is no reason why he shouldn't but just be extra aware of learning safety.
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girl7000
Majestic Eagle Owl
Joined: Mar 11, 2007
Posts: 1263
Location: Somewhere in the Atlantic
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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I can drive. I passed my test fourth time, but the reason it took so many attempts was because I have huge problems with anxiety and was not on good medication for it at the time.
I am dyspraxic which made things a little difficult at first, but I soon got used to the 'feel' of driving. |
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motherofhim
Blue Jay
Joined: Apr 25, 2005
Posts: 89
Location: USA East Coast
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 4:27 pm Post subject: Thanks Aspie Friends. |
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This helps to keep me in focus and to not give up hope. I felt so hopeless this morning that I nearly broke.
Thanks for all of your different experiences.
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In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer........Albert Camus |
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BugsMom
Sea Gull
Joined: Apr 20, 2007
Posts: 205
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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I strongly suspect that I'm Aspie, and I had a terrible time learning to drive. I just couldn't get the hang of it even though it seemed to come naturally to everyone else. I have been in a couple of accidents.
I'm 31 now and a very cautious driver. I cannot drive on highways where people are changing lanes at high speed...it makes me too nervous. |
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motherofhim
Blue Jay
Joined: Apr 25, 2005
Posts: 89
Location: USA East Coast
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for letting me know........you all are a help.
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In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer........Albert Camus |
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motherofhim
Blue Jay
Joined: Apr 25, 2005
Posts: 89
Location: USA East Coast
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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I cannot compare my experience to his; I was eager to drive and did so as quickly as possible.
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In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer........Albert Camus |
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camphortree
Velociraptor
Joined: Jul 11, 2006
Age: 118
Posts: 437
Location: mars
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm quite bad at driving. I find it difficult to concentrate at doing things at the same time. Driving makes me tense. |
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CRACK
Phoenix
Joined: Nov 03, 2005
Age: 21
Posts: 812
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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| I learned to to drive at 16 just as easily as most NTs. I think. But I still need somebody with me whenever I need to drive somewhere I am unfamiliar with. And I need to go back and forth a few times until I am very familiar with the route before I can be comfortable driving from point A to B by myself. That seems to be very common amongst Aspie drivers. |
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KimJ
Legend in my own mind
Joined: Jun 11, 2006
Posts: 2538
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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I'm a great driver but hate fast driving, interstates, heavy traffic or turning left without a signal. I was a "slow learner" but also raised in the country. Under pressure I can do fine but prefer to avoid the pressure.
I think with Aspies and driving, it's all or nothing. My husband is very safe as long as we aren't talking in the car. As a result, I do all the driving when we're together. 
I have a friend whom I suspect is an Aspie in his 40's and he walks or hitches. He refuses to even ride a bike. He can't deal with anything faster than a brisk walk. He's not uncoordinated in any other way and he's very smart. |
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Corsarzs
Velociraptor
Joined: Mar 03, 2007
Posts: 449
Location: Virginia, USA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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| KimJ wrote: |
I think with Aspies and driving, it's all or nothing. My husband is very safe as long as we aren't talking in the car. As a result, I do all the driving when we're together. |
Kimj, are we married? When we are together Cor prefers to drive, and does. The funny thing is I drive for a living, and I've lived for 57 yrs and have a +5 on my driving record.
We do worry about Z though, still can't put everything together with riding a bike. Also he is likely to become so entranced by an animal or bird he forgets what he is doing. HMMM, I may be asking this same question in six or seven years.
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Aspies, the next step in evolution? |
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MysteryFan3
Ex-COBOL dinosaur. roar.
Joined: Jun 09, 2007
Age: 51
Posts: 1358
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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I learned to drive at 21 after 3 lessons, and I have a slight motor control problem. I drive well unless I'm really tired, which is also true for non-Aspies.
If you want real hope, Dan Aykroyd is said to be Aspie and he says he did the driving in the parking lot chase in "The Blues Brothers". The producers said he likes to drive cross-country instead of flying.
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To eliminate poverty, you have to eliminate at least three things: time, the bell curve and the Pauli Exclusion Principle. Have fun. |
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Fuzzy
Ack! Thbbbt!
Joined: Mar 31, 2006
Posts: 2115
Location: Alberta Canada
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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Cut the distractions. No talking, music, phones, food, toys, PDAs... and no talking other than needed by the other person. I mean it.  |
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