Tips for young adults getting their licenses
Learning to drive can be a difficult task for any adult. From the frustration of other drivers and traffic to the anxiety of predicting the moves of other vehicles to the many streams of information that require constant attention, it’s no wonder that driving isn’t for everyone.
But for many autistic adults, driving may be the best option for getting around and being independent. Public transportation can be far more overwhelming than other forms of transportation. Dealing with sensory overload, maneuvering routes and schedules, or being spoken to by others looking for directions on the subway platform can be uncomfortable at best.
For neurotypical and neurodivergent people, taking control of your environment and finding modes of operation that work best for you is an essential step in achieving success in your goals. Though many people with autism tend to get their licenses later in life and many others choose not to attain it, everyone should get a chance to try it before deciding it isn’t for them.
EARNING YOUR LICENSE
There are a few ways to ensure that you are ready to take a driver's test or begin driving. To ask yourself if you are prepared to go, we might refer to this list of questions from researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
The list generally asks about “good judgment and maturity” and whether or not it is demonstrated in interactions with peers. It asks if you understand the rules of the road and if you can attend a driver's education class that suits your specific learning needs. The list asks if the prospective driver is amenable to practicing driving with a licensed driver and if an individual can fulfill that role. Lastly, the list asks whether or not any behavioral or medical needs need to be attended to, such as the use of a medication or the presence of a visual impairment.
However, this list is mainly pertinent to the parents and caregivers of autistic youth rather than to adults with ASD. The list assumes that these factors are being gauged by neurotypical people who influence the autistic person’s life rather than the individual themself.
But because you and I, dear reader, know that adults and youth with ASD can attain a grasp on their abilities, let us try to direct these questions toward ourselves and see how they apply. Here is a list of questions adults with autism can ask themself to determine if they feel ready to get behind the wheel.
-Do others tell me that I have decent judgment and maturity? If not, do they provide good reasoning for their claims, and should I take them at face value?
-Do I feel confident in my ability to react quickly to external stimuli, like a car honking close by or noticing another vehicle merging in front of me?
-Do I sometimes struggle with spatial reasoning in a way that might make turning into traffic dangerous?
-Do I have the logistical needs of being a driver sorted? Do I have a licensed driver available? Do I have access to driver’s education? Do I have access to a car where I can take my driver’s test? Do I have the time and money to take the driver’s permit and driver’s license test?
The Autism Society hones this general list into more specific areas that autistic drivers need to be self-aware of. Their website features distinguishing factors are social judgment, motor coordination, pre-planning, flexibility to change, ability to focus, multi-tasking, and prioritization.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
For all the over-cautiousness suggested by these sources, it should be stated that there is no reason to feel that one’s autism makes them inherently worse drivers than any other person. Caution in driving is a good impulse developed in our society in response to the many dangers cars present. But expressing caution is not the same thing as discouraging behavior.
Indeed, some evidence suggests that autistic drivers may have important skills that put them above the rest. Teendriversource.org states that young autistic drivers are nearly half as likely to be involved in speed-related car crashes as their neurotypical peers.
However, driving is still one of the most dangerous of mundane activities. It remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and this cannot be solved by simply obeying the rules of the road closely. Driving requires many skills and the ability to act quickly and effectively.
Remember that source above that said autistic drivers get into fewer crashes that involve speed violations? They also state that they are more likely to get into cracks that involve turning into opposite traffic, such as a U-turn or simple left turn on a two-way street. This may indicate that some autistic drivers struggle to maintain awareness of other objects on the road or have deficits in spatial reasoning, leading to misjudging distances or inattention to crucial sensory input.
Of course, not every autistic person has the same difficulties. But just as young drivers need to be more attentive to the rules of the road, autistic drivers should be aware of how their
learning styles might affect their driving.
BEING CONFIDENT
Many will tell you that the most important part of being on the road is being confident behind the wheel. Nothing scares other drivers as much as a driver who doesn’t commit to their decisions, even if they were mistakes.
This may be an intrinsic struggle for many people with autism or other developmental disabilities. Much of our experience is about being told not to engage in naturally occurring behaviors. The consistent pressures to apologize and suppress and second guess contribute to a lack of confidence for many people.
If confidence is something, you struggle with, learning to drive is the ideal time to face your insecurities.
A healthy self-image starts in childhood. While it’s never too late to unlearn some of the harmful things others have tried to make you believe about yourself, childhood exposure to therapies that help autistic people be themselves is an integral part of growing up.
A solid background in Applied Behavior Analysis or other therapies will instruct children on how to conduct themselves in ways that maximize their potential and do not restrict their individuality.
As an adult, you can practice confidence by learning how to drive. Making sure you’re in a safe learning environment with a teacher who supports you is the best way to learn!
Thanks so much to Awesomism Mom for initially publishing the story!
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