I'm freaking out- anyone else unable to drive?

Post Reply New Topic

Hey guys,

So due to autism and SPD, I will never be able to drive....I was thinking of taking the bus, or maybe getting around by biking. I'm very fit, and I know all the traffic rules, so this should'nt be a problem. I'm 17 now, but will soon (after college) live independently (I'm going to make a vlog on living independently with Kanner's autism I'm so excited!)
Anyway,
Anyone else out there unable to drive? How do you get around?

17 isn't that old not to be able to drive, I'm 24 and can't. I use either use public transportation, walk, get a ride, or don't go. Things would be a lot easier if I could drive, I think I will try to get a licence eventually but I'm not sure how I will handle it.

No I mean I will never be able to drive- not at 17 but ever. I live in a small town so hopefully it won't be too bad to ride a bike around.

But how do you know that you'll never drive?

I didn't drive until I was in my late 30s.

At the DMV, they ask "do you have any conditions that would effect your driving?" I am mostly non-verbal, so my step-mother asked "is autism was on the list?"- it was. The DMV lady said we would need to ask permission of my psychiatrist/psychologist- in short they said no. I'm not intellectually disabled, but I have tics and stimms that would endanger myself and others. SPD for me is very severe, and if I'm stuck in traffic, I would be endangering everyone.

Thanks for asking for clarity- I know its confusing- which is why I'm sort of freaking out. Is anyone in the same situation?

You might have the tics and stims now---and, yes, it would endanger others on the road.

It doesn't mean you'll still have those tics and stims ten years from now.

I had a licence once, but failed to get it renewed because they couldn't take the responsibility of guaranteeing I was sane enough to drive. Now I don't care much about it, because I don't expect to be ever able to afford to have a car.

I've never had driving lessons because I know I wouldn't be able to cope with being on the road, even if I could overcome my poor gross motor skills.

I'm surprised that so many people on the spectrum do drive because there's so much that can go wrong and so many potentially difficult situations. I'd worry about having an anger meltdown over bad drivers cutting me up or pulling out in front of me, i'd worry about not being able to get over somebody sounding their horn at me if I did something wrong, i'd hate having to fill up at a petrol station (as I turn into a wobbling jelly when it comes to using big noisy machinery), i'd dread having to take it to a garage for repairs or a check up. If the car broke down I'd probably just abandon the vehicle and walk home. If I had an accident I'd have to feign death to avoid having a confrontation or speaking to the police.