Learning To Drive

I'm 22 years old and I have yet to master the art of driving. As much as I hate it I know that to move forward in life I need to learn to do this. Everyone assumes it is fear that is stopping me it is not. I have some anxiety but not fear. The issues are trouble judging depth and speed, problems staying focused and not spacing out (this has almost happened and I am afraid of going off the road), not having the ability to understand other drivers' actions and to pay attention to multiple sensory experiences at once, and my reaction times aren't great.

My sense of direction is horrid but I figure if I find a way to surmount the above I can always spring for a tom tom:).

Two people in my life are wanting to teach me to drive and I keep putting it off. I don't even know what to say to them or how to say it. I feel like a retarded failure for not finding a way to this. But if anyone felt the vast amount of concentration and will it took for me to drive at 30mps on a country road they would understand how hard this is for me.


Thanks
Jennifer

Jennifer,

Are you officially diagnosed as having Autism? If so, then that will affect whether or not you are legally allowed to drive a vehicle; and you will probably need a signed certificate from your GP to say whether or not he/she thinks you are capable of driving too. Don't feel too bad though: i'm 25 and am only learning to drive now, despite having absolutely no interest in it.

Kevin

Kevin,

I got diagnosed with Aspergers at 16. Never saw anyone for my AS after that. I started seeing a counselor in August for the Bi-polar. I have had my permit twice before and no one said a word about needing a certificate. All they said was to come back when I was ready to take the road test and maneuverability test.

I have no interest in learning to drive but unfortunately it has become a necessary evil. I like riding in the car but driving is my worst nightmare. It is my least favorite thing to do. People think I'm joking when I say it would be more enjoyable to stick a steel rod into my foot than go driving but I'm being dead serious.

Jennifer

Oh, it sounds like you are in a very similar position to me then: I also have Asperger's Syndrome and am equally uninterested in driving. my parents are kind of forcing the issue at this stage though. For Asperger's - you're right - I don't think there are any restrictions. I just thought that you had a more severe form of Autism.

Considering I am learning now too, I find that driving under the speed-limit at all times is best because it allows me to better judge things. I am not looking forward to my driving test though, because I know that there are a lot of assholes out there on the roads. However, if I ever get hassle from anyone, I will just raise my middle finger to them.

Kevin

User_Name- What is your issue? I come here looking for help with a problem related to my Aspergers and you find it necessary to be insulting. I am not retarded I am Autistic. And honestly I don't care what you think. All you are is an annoying little troll who doesn't belong here.

Hi Kevin,

Sorry to hear that your parents are forcing the issue. I've been through that with mine.
A couple years ago my dad made me drive myself to work (with him in the passenger seat). I drove his Mustang 30mph on the main highway. There was a whole bunch of unhappy people behind us, my dad wasn't very thrilled (he kept telling me that the Taliban wasn't over the next hill and that I could go faster), and I was on overload just trying not to crash and burn. It was no fun all around. My Dad didn't force me again.

Jennifer

Hi,

Did User_Name send a private message to you? That person caused a little bit of trouble recently on this website but I have not seen him/her around since then. I deleted the insulting comments that he/she posted anyway.

How is your attitude to driving now? - Are you beginning to like it more as you do it more? I still have zero interest in it, especially because I see it as pointless at the moment because of the high fuel costs. Add to that insurance and tax costs and I just see it as a huge financial burden that is unnecessary.

Take care,
Kevin

Hello Kevin,

No I didn't get a PM from User_Name.

Everyone keeps telling me that every time I drive it will become a little easier. That it will become less distressing and more second nature. It has not. Every time is like the first time. I am not becoming desensitized. I simply hate the entire experience.

I have no interest in it.Which is why I never ask to drive. People simply decide it is a good idea to do so.

Jennifer

If you have absolutely no interest in it, then why don't you just refuse to do it?; or do you realise that it can be advantageous in some cases?

I have HFA and I love to drive! I love to be alone in my car driving nowhere, watching the sky, listening to the radio (classical), all alone in my little black car. I failed my driving test four times and still don't know how to do many things or what the signs mean, but I don't really go anywhere, I just like to be alone in the car. It almost feels like I'm flying, especially as I'm driving toward a sunrise over the ocean (I live near the beach). Sometimes I get worried because clouds and such will distract me (I'll stare at the minute details), but I'm usually okay. I couldn't drive until I was almost 18 (I'm 20 now) which is pretty late where I live.

It's just something you have to learn and get used to, like everything else.

Hey,

Thanks for the somewhat humerous message, burningiris. By the way, not knowing what the signs mean ain't a good thing! ... ...but I'll keep quiet on it for your sake. What would be your favourite classical pieces for driving?

Kevin