Driving Lessons

I really struggled with learning to drive. It took me several years, many test attempts and an obscene amount of money spent on driving lessons. Back then I didn't have my autism diagnosis, so I did not understand why I was struggling so much with something that other people seemed to pick up fairly quickly. 

The main thing I struggled with, due to dyspraxia, was the physical co-ordination of moving arms and legs at the same time. It took a lot of practice to master this skill. No other adults in my family were able to drive, so the only practice I had was during the expensive and anxiety inducing driving lessons. Looking back it would have been easier if I had opted to learn in an automatic car instead, but I did not know this was an option.

I also really struggled with processing verbal instructions quickly enough. Then while driving there is so much information to try and take in constantly with signs etc.

I had a huge amount of anxiety around driving and taking tests. Once I'd finally passed my confidence did start to build, although I'd still describe myself as a nervous driver. Even now I won't drive in inner cities or enter a multi storey car park.

Despite the struggles it is more than worth it in the end. Being able to insulate myself from the noisy overwhelming world is immensely valuable. The alternative of having to use public transport would mean almost guaranteed sensory overload.

I would suggest that your son tries to find an instructor with experience of teaching autistic individuals. Also if you can try and give him as much supervised practice as possible outside of driving lessons. Consider opting for an automatic car, as it will reduce the number of things your son needs to focus on. It may also be possible to ask for reasonable adjustments during lessons and the test. 

I really struggled with learning to drive. It took me several years, many test attempts and an obscene amount of money spent on driving lessons. Back then I didn't have my autism diagnosis, so I did not understand why I was struggling so much with something that other people seemed to pick up fairly quickly. 

The main thing I struggled with, due to dyspraxia, was the physical co-ordination of moving arms and legs at the same time. It took a lot of practice to master this skill. No other adults in my family were able to drive, so the only practice I had was during the expensive and anxiety inducing driving lessons. Looking back it would have been easier if I had opted to learn in an automatic car instead, but I did not know this was an option.

I also really struggled with processing verbal instructions quickly enough. Then while driving there is so much information to try and take in constantly with signs etc.

I had a huge amount of anxiety around driving and taking tests. Once I'd finally passed my confidence did start to build, although I'd still describe myself as a nervous driver. Even now I won't drive in inner cities or enter a multi storey car park.

Despite the struggles it is more than worth it in the end. Being able to insulate myself from the noisy overwhelming world is immensely valuable. The alternative of having to use public transport would mean almost guaranteed sensory overload.

I would suggest that your son tries to find an instructor with experience of teaching autistic individuals. Also if you can try and give him as much supervised practice as possible outside of driving lessons. Consider opting for an automatic car, as it will reduce the number of things your son needs to focus on. It may also be possible to ask for reasonable adjustments during lessons and the test.