learning to drive

[jessie]

has anyone encountered any problems regarding learning to drive if they have a diagnosis of Aspergers with ADHD. My son has been having weekly lesons for over a year and is supposed to be sitting his test next week, but jis instructor phoned tonight to say that he should have decalred this condition to obtain a provisional . Felt as thoug he was suggesting that my son might not be able to obtain a liscemse. I was a bit annoyed as the instructor then went onto say that he had been in youch with my sons examinor to pass on details of his conditions which he had no right todo as i feel that the examinor may have a predetermined view on my son now. I am also annoyed as i explained within a few weeks of my son taking lessons that he had comcentration issues and that the instrucor should have brought up conerns then pr at least not let us shell out £1500 on lessons for over a year.

 

jessie

[Beth_]

He can still get a licence, he just needs to declare his AS. It's the same as having to declare you need glasses etc.

[jessie]

thanks beth. tha is reassuring

[Kazzen161]

Yes, you do have to declare AS and ADHD. You have to fill in a medical form and they may consult his doctor to check he is OK to drive. There is info on the NAS site and on www.oaasis.co.uk.

 

There is no harm in the instructor telling the examiner about his AS/ADHD (though he should ask your son first) - it can help.

[smiley1590]

does anyone on here have A.S ,dyspraxia and anxiety and drives???

 

XKLX

[Mumble]

does anyone on here have A.S ,dyspraxia and anxiety and drives???

I have ASD, dyspraxia and anxiety. I used to drive; I can't now, but this is not due to these diagnoses.

[smiley1590]

what diagnosis do you think affect you not to drive impact this the most? as my parents think due to my dyspraxia really bad hand eye co-ordination multi tasking ( A.S and dys together!) so would this be impossible task having all 3 diagnoses?

[RainbowsButterflies]

what diagnosis do you think affect you not to drive impact this the most? as my parents think due to my dyspraxia really bad hand eye co-ordination multi tasking ( A.S and dys together!) so would this be impossible task having all 3 diagnoses?

 

The only thing on the list I have an official diagnosis of is anxiety and depression...

 

I am curently trying to get hold of my childhood medical records to see what is listed about dyspraxia - I know that I saw a paediatrician about a number of things when I was 10/11 and one of them was coordination. I remember him saying that there was nothing neurological wrong and that I was exceedingly clumsy - I want to see if h has listed it as clumsy child syndrome which is the old way of describing dyspraxia. I have issues with hand-eye coordination and lots of gross motor things, but have ok fine motor control.

 

I am also trying to get a referral for an assessment of AS.

 

The issues I have with driving are: getting lost (I have a sat nav!), parallel parking (it can take me a couple of attempts or sometimes I give up and find another space). I'm not brilliant at judging the size of the car, so tend to overestimate.

[Mumble]

what diagnosis do you think affect you not to drive impact this the most? as my parents think due to my dyspraxia really bad hand eye co-ordination multi tasking ( A.S and dys together!) so would this be impossible task having all 3 diagnoses?

Well none of these impacted on me learning to drive, I only had anxiety dx'ed at the time of learning, though of course ASD and dyspraxia are lifelong so I had them although un-dx'ed.

 

For me, learning to drive successfully was about finding the right instructor for me. The first one I had (whose car I crashed... ) used to shout and get really stressed which wasn't much good for me. The one I had who I was successful with was very calm and that really helped. I also had additional motorway and night-driving lessons after I had passed to increase my confidence.

 

Many of the issues people have learning to drive could be attributed to all sorts of diagnoses, but actually they're problems experienced across the population. My sister failed her test for mixing up left and right (she indicated one way and turned the other ), she is NT, and this is the sort of issue lots of people have when they're nervous.

 

I think the only way you can find out if it is something you can do is to try. If you go with an instructor you will be in a dual control car so there isn't much you can do wrong.

[Bluesbreaker]

 

Many of the issues people have learning to drive could be attributed to all sorts of diagnoses, but actually they're problems experienced across the population. My sister failed her test for mixing up left and right (she indicated one way and turned the other ), she is NT, and this is the sort of issue lots of people have when they're nervous.

 

Are you sure she wasn't driving a Citroen? they are terrible cars for that!

[jessie]

thanks everyone. I will contact the DVA today. His test is on wedenesday which doesn't give him much time although we do livein aberdeenshire and the snow might mean it gets cancelled.

[JsMum]

I just wanted to wish your son good luck, I only passed my Test nearly a year ago, I tried to pass at 18 but just couldnt, then I became a Mum, I had Driving Lessons on and off for the last decades and eventually after persiverance, and dedication I passed, Driving changes your life, it has really benefitted our family, due to Js needs so for us it has been a life saver, If he has his Test next week, he must of passed his Theory and that was my struggle, getting all those questions right.

 

I agree it depends on the instructor, the car defo, as I can not drive Vauxals, I stall them.

 

 

If he passes it will give him a great sence of freedom and assist his life, it is a positive thing to be able to drive and for me driving has made it easier to get to theraputic activities and get away, we went camping this summer and Ive travelled all over the country in the last six months searching for a specialist school for J, without driving I would not of been able to do that, so it does bring out more independance.

 

My main problems learning to drive was the instructors directions of Turn Left, Turn Right, I had to wright a R on my right hand and a L on my Left hand so My brian could understand which one was which, also instructions had to be repeated, do ensure the test instructor understands your son may need frequent instructions and directions.

 

I wish your son much luck and I passed last Decemeber and remember the snow, and my Test was not cancelled, it is good practice to drive in the snow and I did my pass plus in the snow too, absaloutly terrifying! but its paid off because this November we have loads of the stuff!

 

Take it easy, go slow, but not too slow! and just relax, and enjoy the experience, if he fails he just keeps trying, persiverance is the key, obvously failing is deverstating but you overcome the feelings and try again. just keep trying, dont give up, he has achieved so much already, a year of learning and has his test next week, goes to show he has overcome some very difficult obsticles already.

 

Good Luck

 

JsMuMX

Edited November 29, 2010 by JsMum

[bid]

I have a dx of AS, and in the end I passed using an automatic.

 

There seems to be quite a stigma about driving an automatic, which seems really stupid to me. Doesn't matter what you drive, so long as you become mobile and independent.

 

Bid

[trekster]

i got a nasty instructor for the 1st few months and he claimed to understand disabilities.

i then moved onto another instructor who was much better and his humour eased the situation.

Towards the last few lessons we were playing 'name that tune'.

[trekster]

I have ASD, dyspraxia and anxiety. I used to drive; I can't now, but this is not due to these diagnoses.

 

ive got these issues as well, i can just about manage on the road.

[trekster]

The only thing on the list I have an official diagnosis of is anxiety and depression...

 

I am curently trying to get hold of my childhood medical records to see what is listed about dyspraxia - I know that I saw a paediatrician about a number of things when I was 10/11 and one of them was coordination. I remember him saying that there was nothing neurological wrong and that I was exceedingly clumsy - I want to see if h has listed it as clumsy child syndrome which is the old way of describing dyspraxia. I have issues with hand-eye coordination and lots of gross motor things, but have ok fine motor control.

 

I am also trying to get a referral for an assessment of AS.

 

The issues I have with driving are: getting lost (I have a sat nav!), parallel parking (it can take me a couple of attempts or sometimes I give up and find another space). I'm not brilliant at judging the size of the car, so tend to overestimate.

 

i have been driving just over 2 months (passed 1st time), i haven't used parallel parking yet but i tend to find my way out of getting lost. Once i ended up in Shirehampton when travelling south on the A38 (what i thought was a parallel road.

[JsMum]

If he passess, what I recommend for an excellent chrissy presant is SAT NAV, its been absaloutly brillaint, it really helps you what lane to be in and gives you early instructions so you can prepare and acts like a mini warning, which is good for people who need time to process information, when I passed my test the first place I drove to soley was Halfords and bought a brillaint little SAT NAV, it gives J a lot of reasurrance as he gets very panic and upset if lost, we have been lost but the SAT Nav is really clever as it can replan the route and helps you get back on track again, without the SAT NAV we would defo be lost without it. so just wanted to recommend one to anyone who does struggle with direction and routes.

 

JsMumx

[leeds_demon]

I ahve no intention to drive as I'm worried I'll either maim/kill another road user or pedestrian or be killed/maimed by some yobbish youth who is under the influence of drink, drugs or both and who is driving a dangerous car at high speed.

 

Also, I don't think I would be much good at driving - how do I look in the rear-view mirror, if I have to keep my eyes on the road? Also, how do I know that the side mirror is adjusted properly?

 

Likewise, if the examiner asked me to show him/her where the oil filter was or where the water was in the engine, I would just tell him/her that why do I have to know: it's a mechanic's job to know and not mine.

 

So, I think my decision not to drive is a very wise one.

Edited December 28, 2010 by leeds_demon

[Tally]

It's entirely your decision whether you want to drive, but I think that all your concerns are ones which could be overcome if you ever wanted to drive.

 

You are meant to look in the rear view mirror only very quickly. Yes, you have to look away from the road ahead to do this, but you only do it momentarily. It's easy with practice. In the side mirror you should just be able to see the edge of the car and have a clear view of the road behind you. You can lower them to see the kerb whilst parking if you like. These are all things a driving instructor could teach you.

 

It's useful to learn some basic car maintenance in case you break down and to keep your car running without having to pay a mechanic all the time. If you ever decide to drive then it would be a good idea to read up on some basic things like this.

 

There are always some dangers which cannot be eliminated. You are always at risk from other drivers as a passenger or pedestrian and there's not much you can do about other people.

[Lifevoyager]

Oh... I have been driving for 23 years and was diagnosed with Aspergers last year... it's just occured to me that maybe I should tell the DVLA? I won't lose my licence will I? Need the car for work.

[robo]

Hi im was diagnoised last january no one has told me i need to tell dvla, the doctors or the cpn,

daniel

[chris54]

Before anyone starts to learn to drive they dont know how difficult it will be. If you sit in a car and watch the driver it all appears so effortless, which it most certainly is not.

 

The points raised in the OP are one that most people dont think of befor starting to learn to drive, and soon learn once driving.

 

The problem is not that you wont be able to do these things, its that your worrying about them prematurely.

Edited January 2, 2011 by chris54

[Mumble]

Oh... I have been driving for 23 years and was diagnosed with Aspergers last year... it's just occured to me that maybe I should tell the DVLA? I won't lose my licence will I? Need the car for work.

You do need to inform the DVLA (and the meerkats / car-insurance people possibly? ) but as you've been driving and nothing's changed (you just have a label for how you've always been) there should be no repercussions. They may write to your GP and it will be recorded somewhere, but that's it. However, if you don't tell them and they find out, or if you have an accident they might bring it up and you could be in serious trouble and / or face a hefty fine (I think it's £1000), so definitely better to let them know.

[gazmcfaz]

? says on the direct gov website aspergers is a condition you MAY need to tell them about, IF it affects your driving. How can it affect it directly?

[Peebs]

? says on the direct gov website aspergers is a condition you MAY need to tell them about, IF it affects your driving. How can it affect it directly?

 

If your reactions are affected (too slow, too fast, too calm, too anxious, too angry), if you are bound by routines to the point where you can't cope if there are diversions or someone breaks the law, if you have sensory perception problems (bothered by noises of other vehicles, lights of other cars etc) or proprioception issues (sense of where your body is in space) and poor spatial awareness - all these can affect your driving directly. But they don't affect everyone.

[grasco]

This is of interest to me so i though i would have my say.

 

I diagnosed myself over ten years ago with Aspergers and for the last seven and a half years I have been a Taxi driver.

 

I dont find many difficulties related to driving as much as i do taxi work but i`ll just say about driving.

 

I have driven so much i dont even think about it but there are a few times when my AS kicks in. Like letting a car past and when they wave or i have to i put my hand up so to block thier face so i cant see it as i drive past and avoid any eye contact.

 

Its only minor things like that that effect my driving and it doesnt really bother me and on the whole i do enjoy driving as i have a keen interest with trasnpiort and vehicles.

Edited June 19, 2011 by grasco

[chris54]

This is of interest to me so i though i would have my say.

 

I diagnosed myself over ten years ago with Aspergers and for the last seven and a half years I have been a Taxi driver.

 

I dont find many difficulties related to driving as much as i do taxi work but i`ll just say about driving.

 

I have driven so much i dont even think about it but there are a few times when my AS kicks in. Like letting a car past and when they wave or i have to i put my hand up so to block thier face so i cant see it as i drive past and avoid any eye contact.

 

Its only minor things like that that effect my driving and it doesnt really bother me and on the whole i do enjoy driving as i have a keen interest with trasnpiort and vehicles.

 

That could have been my stepson talking only he drives Buses.

[grasco]

Yeah I enjoy the driving but its the work side of it that can be very very hard at time but driving doesnt bother me.

 

I wish i had the oppertunity to drive other vechiles like lorrys and coaches as i feel comfortable driving big stuff.

 

Quite a few in my family are drivers and i was brought up on trucks/busses/trains etc so its something that is natural to me.

 

So although the work connected to it would be terrible the thought of getting behind the wheel of an early 1980`s DAF 2800 with 38 tonnes on a flatbed trailer is very appealing.

[philipo]

You should be ok if you declare your asd.The examiner will only be concerned if a particular aspect of your disability is a danger to yourself or other road users and the only way to know that is to do the test.I had problems with the braking distance counting.3 years ago I went on a specialised advance motorcycle course.At the end of it,when filling in the 'pass' form, the examiner asked me my date of birth ,so I gave it.Then he asked me how old I was .I stood there and froze,then quickly started counting from from my birth date on my fingers.he watched me then decided to fail me on the last of the 4 parts of the course.I was'nt that botherd as I got a lot out of the course,my only regeret was I was looking forward to 12% off my insuarance premium for doing the course.

If you can pass the test then thats enogh for the examiner.good luck .x

Edited June 19, 2011 by philipo