@actuallyautistic On a related note to my last post, I came across this today... Wow!

My 35-Year-Old Son Is Learning to Drive. It’s Complicated.

Sam Huber’s autistic mind processes every moment and movement in technicolor intensity as he struggles to get his license. For his father, Robert, the question isn’t can he—but should he?

By Robert Huber and Samuel Huber· 4/27/2025

Excerpt: "I look down at the controls, and I get a little dizzy looking at all of the knobs, gears, pedals, and the steering wheel. The thought of having to move my hands and feet in sync to get this bucket of bolts going is scary.

"After checking that all the mirrors are to my liking, I start the car, which roars like a lioness on the hunt. I want to scream, Why does this seem so loud when I am in the driver’s seat?!?! I reach into my pocket for my trusty headphones to block out this horrible noise, but they aren’t there. Sweet baby Jesus! Am I going to have to listen to this car the whole time? How can anyone focus on driving with that noise?"

#Autism #DrivingWhileAutistic #Autists #RulesOfTheRoad #Distractions

@actuallyautistic

So, I'm finding these lists pretty relatable. Learning how to focus and multi-task were a bit challenging, but luckily, I had mastered the gas pedal / brake pedal / gear shifting on my grandfather's riding mower, and then had Driver's Ed classes when I was 17. And yes -- I am a STICKLER for the rules of the road!

From: Can Autistic People Drive? published in 2022

"Research suggests that drivers who are autistic may experience the following difficulties:

- challenges with concentrating on own driving while paying attention to what other drivers are doing on the road
- slower detection time for road hazards
- being easily distracted
- becoming too bound by rules
- inability to identify social cues, like tailgating
- nervousness related to comorbidities, like ADHD or anxiety
- reduced self-confidence

Strengths associated with autism and driving

On the flip side, research also shows that autistic drivers have certain strengths that other drivers may not possess. These include:

- desire to strictly adhere to driving rules
- obeying traffic rules
- limited risk-taking, like speeding
- paying closer attention to their overall driving environment
- being able to remember details and information for long periods of time"

Source:
https://www.healthline.com/health/autism/can-autistic-people-drive#is-it-legal

#Autism #DrivingWhileAutistic #Autists #RulesOfTheRoad #Distractions