Should Autistic People Be Banned from Driving?
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- Опубликовано: 30 ноя 2023
- Hi! I'm Orion Kelly and I'm Autistic. On this video I explore new regulations concerning Autistic peoples ability to drive in Australia. Plus, I share my personal lived experiences as an #actuallyautistic person. #orionkelly #autism #asd #autismsigns #whatautismfeelslike
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As an autistic underachiever, getting my drivers license was probably the biggest accomplishment I’ve ever made and it’s given me freedom for nearly seven years, and my delivery driver job.
I would agree getting my driver's license was one of the biggest accomplishments & Achievements of my entire Adult life. Was when i Became the most achieved student in my Nursing Assistant class in My Steps to nursing Education & Being Valedictorian & giving my classes final Speech during graduation. I would say the most terrifying hurdle for me right now is my Mama Passing away so suddenly she was my Advocate my voice. My mom was my best friend the only person in my life who I can say truly understood me. Never got upset with me or thought I was Mentally Ill. Like my brothers & sisters like to poke fun at me with. I'm just told I need to stop and turn this autistic crap off! Nobody likes this when I have a meltdown they just tell me to stop this let this autistic crap go they Say. My step mom literally gave me the choice to Mom leave where I Live out dusty but get rid of the autism. It doesn't work the way I keep explaining that when I'm having alone time either with my audible audiobooks or with my music I can't stop having my own space she seems to think I need to force myself to have no more alone time or time where I have my own space. Now I'm staying too panicked. Since my mom died I've been all over the place emotionally. I'm slowly but surely getting back on track. I have saved so much money over the years I was able to take all this time off work and not need to stress about that. But I had to take care of my mama all by myself and was alone with her when with no warning she died and it wasn't how I thought it was going to be it was very traumatic I'm still after 9 months not sleeping through the night I barely sleep I barely eat . My dad has no care about what I'm going through as long as it doesn't bother his plans or the way his life is going. He refuses to watch any videos on autism he says he bores him he has no interest in understanding me or my disorder. So I'm in a constant panic attack since my mom died. My blood pressure has gotten so high my normal it's now normally 145 over 122. When my normal my whole life was always 110 over 90 so it's way above extremely above normal. I'm also getting paralysis on my left side sometimes in my face and my arm and leg my face just won't go back or I can't move I'm also having white awake sleep but not sleeping sleep paralysis and i can't move it do anything for sometimes 5 to 8 minutes and sometimes i can't breathe untill i can move again they always terrifies me every single day. I'm doing great in some areas but most of the time I'm in upheaval and silent chaos my mom was my support now I'm feeling more alone than I've ever felt. I'm a Christian so faith in The Lord does make a big difference. But I feel like a burden to most of my family and the very few friends I have ever will or ever want to acknowledge my mental disability. Or they just cast me to the side and ignore me. I would love any advice or help with what come good steps are to get the help and counseling I need to stop this depression before it goes too deep you know. Any advice will be greatly appreciated thank you everybody. Good Bless
P.s. sorry for if there are many or often a big amount of typos i hope this comment / text Message is still fully understandable and still seems to make full Sense to every body out there I love you Guys Good Bless You All✌🏼🕊️😁😄😁✌🏼🕊️
@@JamesTScot I never reply to comments but I wanted to say I’m really sorry to hear about your mom, i truly wish you all the best.
😊great
I with you on this, I think the driving test in UK is far too easy.Nearly every young person I know has had an accident soon after passing their test. They aren't taught how to handle a car properly. There is an advanced test for that which is optional. I think it should be mandatory. There's also no testing on motorways, so the first motorway experience is basically hit and miss as to how well they handle it.
at 50 getting my learners permit was a huge accomplishment for me,such a long process to go through here,haven't even gotten around to getting lessons yet,but now I know I can:)
I am a better driver than almost everyone on the road, my autism makes me be super observant of whats happening on the road around me and it infuriates me how little other people pay attention to their driving and whats around them. Licensing needs to be massively harder to get for everyone, not specifically autistic people. Car drivers have been and continue to be one of the top killers of humanity every year for decades and politicians dont care at all.
My Dad was a contractor, I learned to drive EVERY sort of vehicle as a kid - dump trucks, backhoes, bulldozers, bobcats, trucks w/trailers, backing into a narrow doorway, stick shifts of all sorts, etc. I've always been a really good driver, way more aware of what's going on, watching far ahead, not playing w/my phone, etc. I also am Infuriated at how Awful most people drive.
@sideshowbob thank you for the comment and backup, so many times i tell this to normie people and they get super defensive about their poor driving as if i called them out directly, which does scare me what their driving skill is actually like. Hopefully they can learn as well as those of us who are disadvantaged to learning... people generally just fucking suck and are immensely ignorant and incompetent and dont care to be any better
@CarsoDeck
That last sentence 👌 perfect description of so many people.
There should be tests for self-centered, privileged, narcissists and keep those people off the road.
Agreed
Banned from driving? Man I passed my Class One written with 98% and did my on road test flawlessly. And haven't had an unsafe driving infraction probably ever after 35 yrs of driving. The whole point of driving exams are to test competency. Anyone who can pass it deserves the privilege of legally driving
THIS.
Same.
Exactly. If an individual can pass the tests then they should be able to have a licsnce. Anyone can have health issues later on that make it so they shouldn't drive.
I was able to pass the driving exam, and I should not be allowed anywhere near the driver's seat of a car. I don't think national policy decisions should be based on me, I am just saying that even an incompetent driver can get their shit together long enough to pass a 20 minute exam
I was the same, zero issues with the written or driving portions. Was so confident, I remember being excited to the point I almost felt like I was the instructor. I think that’s why I’ve always hyper focused on learning. So I don’t feel stressed and “lost” constantly…?? (Also made me one hell of a Marine). I think tests should be given every so many years to keep up with cognitive skills, and doctors should be allowed to ‘flag’ patients in a system that suspends or denies your DL based on cognitive issues: whether disease, cognitive decline, psychology in certain situations, surgeries, medications, etc…
That said, yes I understand how it could be, and most likely would be, used for ulterior motives. But the good would far exceed the bad, and if those who are “good” stay standing through demands of goodness and justice, then we would not have said corrupted issues. Just seems like it’s a chore for NT…
I have ADHD and I consider myself not a very good driver, but I know many drivers without any neurodevelopment disorder who are way worse drivers than me.
I’m audhd and while not perfect, I have a pretty solid 33 year driving record.
I see so many that do so much worse without (presumably) being neurodiverse.
I hope Australia gets sued to getting this overturned so this garbage doesn’t spread around the world.
I have no problem with anyone driving if they can do it safely, and are responsible.
One thing’s for sure: pushing this nonsense is even more oppressive if, while imposing this discrimination, they don’t also provide funding to those impacted that gives them the resources to drive as everyone else is allowed to do.
I gave up driving about 5 years ago. To expensive and stressful.
Get on the train now free WiFi happy days.
@@cujimmy1366 I gave up my car for the same reason but rent a car every now and then.
yeah.. typical AUSTralian governernment at it again.. so much potential to be world leaders of change.. but world leaders of nothing good.. such an embarrassment.. imagine our govt strting this scaremongering around the world... its sooo beyond immoral and ethical.. in this supposed equality informed generation.. what a crock.. @@strictnonconformist7369
Due to my sensory issues I cannot drive (I always get an anxiety attack and sensory overload whenever I get behind the wheel). I knew about these issues way before I was diagnosed with autism.
The only thing that should matter is the ability to actually drive safely, NOT whether someone has a neurological issue/diagnosis.
There are plenty of neurotypical people that definitely should not drive, but still can
Same here, got a couple of panic attacks during my practical driving lessons and decided not to get my license (years before i got diagnosed) because that would be irresponsible.
I don't drive. But everyone is different.
I get that when I drive on busy highways… especially ones that I’m unfamiliar with
I don't have autism (or never been diagnosed) but I have sensory issues (can hear the radio while driving, or if too quiet the noise the tires make against the street distract met), but the way I managed was driving in empty streets with my best friend talking about anything to take my mind out of the anxiety and in a couple of weeks was able to drive alone (led traffic lights or bright car light in the night still requires a lot of concentration to not lose it)
Same here. I still can't drive. I am reminded everyday that I am 26 years old and "you can't drive, you shouldn't work unless you learn to drive, it's a prerequisite to working".
Every time I have gotten behind the wheel, I start crying, it's too much. I have drove down the street a few times (but I was with someone different than my usual teacher and I didn't want to panic infront of them)
It's hard to focus, and it's also hard to pay attention to everything around me. But my husband still wants me to try. Since I have less support needs, me being autisitc isn't taken into accountability that driving is too much for me.
He said it's just the break and gas, but I can't see my feet and it's hard to remember which one is which. I know which one is which when im not driving but when I am, everything blanks. I've explained and I've been told that's stupid
this is what happens when someone dumps the entire spectrum under one label then someone else who doesnt understand it has to write a single instrument to cover them all.
No, the government's papers said it depends on the autistic person. They said to consider each autistic person separately.
Yes this absolutely 100% some autistic patients I taken care of are the type of people that'd be given an excrosisim to.
@@silverscalederg8632 What does that have to do with driving?
Some of any type of person seem evil. The most evil person I met was a devil worshipper. He wasn't autistic.
I have adhd and autism . Everyone who ever gets in a car with me always says how good a driver I am, I’ve drove for 20 years and have never had an accident. I stay In the UK and would fight for my license.
However my step daughter is being tested for autism and I really wouldn’t trust her driving a car. Her awareness is zero and reactions are zero. But that might change when she gets in a car.
Lucky. My ADHD and autism make me car-criple
I am like your step daughter where it’s hard for me to pay attention to everything around me and react in time. I also have adhd though and my meds have made a huge difference to my driving
yes.. its definitely not one and aLL [if youve met one autistic.. youve met 1 autistic] etc..
ie my 20 yr olds son.. i have not encouraged and tried to shut my NT husband up from following the norm harrassing him to get his license.... WHY... where ielse in his life does he show hes got his shittogether... its just setting him up for failure.. but he actually wouldnt pass hte test anyway.. so i figure that comes back to the whole point... pass the test.. you pass the test...
& my youngest also adhd & ASD .,.. he will be able.. eventually but waiting to feel it out...
ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS TEENS THESE DAYS, They have grown up in their screens so they dont even absorb the general staring out the window info that gets interpreted by the brain through growing up etc.. they dont pay attention to the world around them, so they are major risks these days.. but as usual my favourite saying is "context is everything"
I have a full UK licence and passed 2nd time being on the spectrum is most likely the reason I have a licence road rage is my problem and I do think a lot of aspies do have the same problem as me as when an autistic person gets angry they get angry.
I'm autistic, and I know I would make a great driver. But I don't want to, never wanted and don't need to drive, I'd rather take a taxi, uber and get where I need to go. It's easier, much less stress involved. Owning a car and maintaining it is expensive and requires a lot of planning, I already spend too much energy on surviving to add another energy drain hole.
Yes! I Relate to this so much!! It's like too much to manage.
My Grandma is Autistic and an excellent driver. I'm Autistic but driving is too much for me in towns. But I have no issues on back roads.
Hi Orion
I'm a late diagnosis 52 male living in England
I passed my driving test at 17 and it was the greatest achievement of my life as I left school with no qualifications
I ended up driving a 7.5 truck I was in this position all through the 1990's me and my dog molly were on the road 6 days a week
I miss those days very much.
I was always complimented on my driving ability
Kind regards Jack
I personally feel like I’m a danger on the road. I become easily overwhelmed in stressful situations, I’m unable to make eye contact with other drivers, and I often feel to nauseous and panicky to give my full attention while driving. That doesn’t mean every autistic person will struggle with these things, but it’s definitely an issue for me.
I can drive but would rather not. The list of requirements to owning a car is enough to make me forget the whole thing. The taxes,insurance,tags,plate, inspection, maintenance is too much for me to manage. Just can't do it .
That’s exactly why our globalist controlled governments make it difficult for us all
You are not less of a person if you don't drive. Most people have phobias, struggle with addiction, have severe violent or mental issues,are lost in grief, or can't communicate,write/read decentlyor keep up with technology.
But the main one that society judges is driving a car. Its ridiculous !
Only serious self awareness is the way out. Not judgement of others.
It's not about judgement, except maybe yours. There are many places where people who cannot drive are severely disadvantaged because it's a great distance to basic necessities and employment and there's no public transport.
Appreciate this
Some of us have been driving since forever, me 1997. I want my license as I've been driving safely since 1997. I have a clean record.
i'm an autistic person from the us and i will never drive by choice . . . my anxiety is too debilitating & i also have dyspraxia so its just never going to happen for me personally. HOWEVER everyone should have the choice. its just wrong to strip people of that decision.
One of my ASD symptoms affects my capacity to drive safely in a positive manner: I keep my eyes on the road instead of making eye contact with my passengers.
🤣
I am Autistic and live in the United States, and we don’t regularly re-assess people’s fitness to drive. There are a lot of accidents because of people who are elderly and have diminished capacity to drive safely as they age, people with road rage who drive aggressively, people who tailgate, people who don’t obey traffic laws, and drunk drivers.
I wish we had some kind of re-assessment system in the US. Once you get your license, it’s valid without having to be re-assessed, barring any obvious and radical changes to your ability to drive, like a seizure disorder or narcolepsy.
Drivers will often not know basic traffic laws, and many don’t use their signal indicators or they tailgate and drive aggressively. There is little accountability for driving dangerously. The driving exam was a rudimentary, multiple choice, and had 20 basic questions like, “What should you do at a stop sign?” It’s terrifying how easy it was to be deemed fit to operate a potentially lethal piece of machinery.
Due to a lack of proper public transportation, owning a car is borderline compulsory. It’s expensive, and many can’t afford insurance (which is mandatory), but also cannot get to work without one.
I’d prefer to have something like this in place than nothing at all. I do not fully agree with Australia’s approach to this process, especially with regard to the Autistic community, but I do agree with the general idea of re-evaluation of every driver’s ability to be safe. It is no surprise that the US has the largest number of traffic accidents in the world.
Many autistic people would consider moving from Australia to the US if they heard about this - especially when you consider autistic drivers are probably more likely to know the traffic laws and drive more conservatively than their neurotypical counterparts
Yeah, audhd and I HATE driving in USA. The speed limit signs are more of "speed suggestion" signs.
There was quite a bit of "noise" here in my home state (CT - USA) in 2012 after the Newtown CT school shooting to "Take All Guns Away from Anyone With 'Asperger Syndrome'", as the perpetrator, Adam Lanza, had been diagnosed as such years earlier. At the time, I'd self identified in 2005, was seeking official diagnosis, this caused me to cease & desist (I collect firearms), & gave me my 1st taste of the "stigma" (another was "coming out" to my parents, they took it REALLY badly).
This just shows how uneducated and superficial people are.
The brutality, and lack of empathy of neurotypical society and women though, against the average Asperger man, DOES concentrate rage and frustration. Autism is an abusive relationship with the world, where your cardinal sin is being wired a bit different.
@@psyience3213 I know what I put my parents thru as a kid (born 1960). It was no Picnic for them.
The Humiliation for my Mom at Parent/Teacher night, when the teacher called out my bad behavior in front of all the other parents. The Humiliation for my athlete Dad when I couldn't play sports worth a rat's ass, but was good at drawing pictures of ships, trains, bridges. I know how blue collar shmo's love to brag about their son's athletic achievements. What could my poor Dad say? "My son draws pictures & spins in circles".
When I figured myself out in 2005, I went to them very humble-ey, apologizing for all I'd put them thru. I was taken aback at their extreme denial. I thought they'd be happy I was happy with myself & my life. That actually made them angry-er. My Dad said I was just lazy & didn't want to work hard (I actually did work hard & accomplish a lot at my civil engineering career), & was using psychiatry (he considered liberal nonsense) as an excuse for bad behavior (I actually straightened out by Jr High/High school & did well academically from then on). My Mom blamed the "Liberal Jewish teachers & classmate's parents for their Indoctrination". Yes, the only people in my childhood who ever treated me decently were Jewish teachers & parents. They understood my "gifts" like no one else did. As for being "Liberal", not really, like most scientists & engineers, I tend towards old school conservatism, "Eisenhower Republican". Not MAGA batshite crazy like my parents got brainwashed into from their am radio. Well OK I know that science & epidemiology & history & democracy are Good things. Sad.
So, I'm a little mixed on sole-ly blaming Adam's parents. They did try at some points. His father left the family as his Mom was messed up. He was in his early 20's, never really got his life together even tho his parents & schools tried a lot harder than anyone ever did for me (they were at least college educated & not 10th grade educated conspiracy theory mongers). I just happened to have the personality (or was not as "on the spectrum" as he was?) to be able to "tough out" all the adversity I faced from everyone in my life hating my guts. My Mom was likely Bi Polar, when I think back about her behavior. My Dad, being old school Catholic, stuck with her, regardless of how mentally abusive she was to him. I don't know if them staying together really helped me, I ran away from home at 17 to escape their constant fighting, & went thru a lifetime of psychotherapy over it (before I figured out "Asperger's"). Every situation is different . . .
@@psyience3213 Generational. For my "Silent Gen" parents, their kids (me) were here to fulfil their hopes & dreams they could never achieve due to The Depression & WW2. Most folks of my generation (Boomer) & younger would embrace / encourage their kids to pursue whatever positive endeavors they may want in life. My parents simply couldn't comprehend why I wouldn't want what they wanted me to do. It's the American Dream, after all. I succeeded on my own terms but they couldn't handle it. Especially being Proud of who I am (Autistic) - that's a Mental Illness to be Ashamed of / swept under the rug to them. It's very Sad.
Personally, I think very few people should have firearms anyway. You should have to prove you actually need a firearm for a specific reason and that firearm should be locked up at all other times.
I am a truck driver (lorry driver in Australian) and on the spectrum in the United States. Been driving commercially since 1998. I have had severe reactions to my diagnosis and realized just how misunderstood we neurodivergents really are. I am high functioning enough to just pass as eccentric without needing to disclose my diagnosis. I feel like I am a safer driver than 99% of the motoring public because I can separate my logical and emotional minds and stand back more objectively.
Agreed.
I was delivery driver for a long time. I love to drive, I love cars, and I actually memorize addresses very well and have a great sense of direction; Im high functioning until I get overwhelmed.
The way you said you’re high functioning enough to pass as an eccentric with out revealing your diagnoses- was a very spot on description and I’ll make sure to use it in the future.
Yes me too
My son was put through the hoops in NSW. When the RMS (regulatory authority) was informed that he is autistic (which happened when we made the mistake of asking the NDIS for assistance with driving lessons) they suspended his learner's permit and he had to provide a psychiatrist's report and also do a driving assessment with a specialist "driving OT" person, to get it back. As well, a condition was put on his permit that he could only have lessons from a licensed driving instructor specialising in training autists - barring me, for example, from participating in teaching him. And a couple of years after going through all of this rigmarole he had to get a new psych report and a new driving OT assessment despite the fact that nothing had changed about his condition - because of course autism is a wiring difference, not some progressive deterioration or disease. As you say, we were born autistic, and we die autistic.
In contrast I, obsessed with cars, was driving on private property from about the age of 12, passed the knowledge test with 100% correct first time, passed the driving test first time at 17, passed motorcycle first time, passed Army Driver Licence (a couple of weeks of continual assessment across all sorts of conditions in 4x4 and trucks). I can drive non-synchro gear boxes, heavy vehicles, mobile plant, reverse trailers, pretty near anything. Off road or on, any conditions. I have been driving safely for decades, and I enjoy it. Should I now have to worry that some officious bureaucrat, without any scientific basis, might say that I should have to go through the same expensive and humiliating process my son had to face just because I have a similar wiring diagram? In the absence of clear evidence of an actual problem I don't think any of us should have to go through that.
This whole thing really does make me question whether it is actually safe to look for help, or a diagnosis. You may be marking yourself for attention that you don't want, if not now perhaps in the future.
& that last statement you write is EXACTLY what the governments motivation is... except as usual the initiation is to save them moeny but its going to cost them money WAY more places !!!
Exactly - “Don’t ask don’t tell”
That’s why a lot of doctors avoid getting a diagnosis. It’s impossible to prove that it isn’t affecting you. Whether that impacts negatively upon your job is not the point.
I'm paranoid about asking for NDIS help based on this. Sorry for your family going through this bull#$it.
Outrageous! That would disable us even further.
It was click bait!
I think there could be a problem with interpretation. A prosecutor could say "but your autism DID effect your ability to drive because you got in that accident." Even if that's unreasonable, I've had people make that kind of circular argument. So it's really important that anyone diagnosed have a doctor's note, since the prosecutor could say "you didn't follow the law because you didn't check with your doctor, or at least you can't prove it, so you are in violation of this law."
It's just one of those nightmare scenarios that someone could get caught in
That was my thought too, especially with the way that it is written in Qld.
Prove that accident would not have happened if you were totally neurotypical?
@@graemesutton2919 Sadly I doubt that would save you from poor logic. I've argued with people using their own criteria they just gave me as the basis of their reasoning and they just ignored it because they didn't like the results of their own criteria.
According to the law, the first step is getting a green light from your doctor. If that's not done, the argument could easily be made that you broke the law. If there's no proof, then there's no proof you did what the law requires.
@@graemesutton2919 Or turn it on them since it's clearly not your fault and they gave you the ok to drive. People hate responsibility lol
@@bensabelhaus7288 I honestly believe this is an issue created for publicity. If the driving instructor passed you, if you have been driving for several decades with an (undiagnosed) condition or not, then you are competent to drive. It is up to the diagnosing medical professionals to tell you otherwise.
This is the case with other medical conditions such as stroke, heart disease etc, seizures etc. I know because I am the position of having had several medical issues and have on several occasions been told by medical professions temporarily not to drive or otherwise.
I'm an Aspie and legally-blind. Had to stop driving at 33 due to vision-loss from glaucoma. Losing your mobility and personal independence is absolutely crushing and its a major segregating factor. People just assume you have a DUI.
I can't drive. I really can NOT drive. The moment I get behind a wheel, my brain goes on overdrive. Even when I calm down, the information overload is too much for me. I don't get the size of the car, I don't get how much gas/brake gets me where, I don't get the mirror looking thing. Zero. It doesn't help that I live in Istanbul where there are no traffic rules and it is one big chaotic mess. I love rules, I hate chaos (imagine no rules, no signals, no logic, everyone thinks they own the road ... hell! )And because it is simply too much, I've given up and I could give up because we have great public transportation. BUT I can totally see how autism can actually make one a great driver, especially in a country where most rules are obeyed. I LOVE rules, I love the logic of driving, but cannot implement it. In so many countries, a car means freedom. Taking away the freedom from people on the ASD is simply wrong. There are so many NT's who are HORRIBLE drivers. Recently I helped an elderly man (he was in his 80's, had huge thick glasses on, had a walking stick) come out of his vehicle - instead of return, he had the car in drive and hit the barrier of a park. Thankfully no one was injured. Why was he allowed to drive? They have to look at the individual and not the disability.
Honestly if I was in that location I would not drive either
@@erikburzinski8248 People here always tell me 'just get your licence and just drive'. And I tell them that's why I don't drive because everyone else 'just' drives - they look forward and push the pedal😵💫.
I'd probably lose my mind driving there.
Yup yup. Just because that old guy can drive, doesn't mean he should. Now everyone needs to drive. My husband always makes fun of me but I'm a very safe driver. It's a 2 ton weapon, not a status symbol like stupid neurotypical people make it out to be.
oh yes indeed... i tooo would not be driving in istanbull.. the road rules help me obsess and clarify my making choices... the frustration is expecting normal people to obey them and the outrage when they dont.... and that now WE"re the problems apparently
I'm autistic and have to admit that I'm a poor driver. Learning how to drive (and just learning how to ride a bike) were very difficult tasks for me. I've been driving for decades now, and driving still doesn't come naturally to me. However, I passed all my driving tests, and am a reasonably safe driver.
The problem I have is that I'm mono-tropic. I can only focus on one task at time. For example, in order for me to change lanes I must, look forward to see who is ahead of me, then look at the front mirror to see who is in back of me, then look in the side mirror to see who is on the side of me, then take a quick glance to check my blind spot. I must do all tasks sequentially. If I'm not quick enough, circumstances could change to create a dangerous situation for me to complete the lane change. When I'm looking forward, I can't see who is behind me or at my side. If I'm looking at the side mirror, I can't see who is in front me, nor who is directly in back of me etc...
On the other hand, most neurotypical drivers simultaneously know who is front of them, who is in back of them, and who is on their side. All they have to do to complete the lane change is to make a quick turn of their head to check their blind spot. They have the ability to crossover more than one lane at a time if there is an opening to do so. On the other hand, I can only change one lane at a time if there is any traffic on the road..
The funny thing about this is that people/employers won't consider autism as a disability but the governments suddenly consider autism as a disability. SO which is it. I've been driving for 30 odd years, now I am far from perfect but I am a hell of a better driver than the other idiots on the roads who I see every day who cause crashes, run red lights at nearly every red light I come to.
I don't drive and don't plan on doing so due to anxiety and my hyper awareness that there are too many people who should not have gotten their license. I tired to get my license once but immediately panicked as soon as I was behind the wheel.
We looked this up on Thursday after a rather biased ABC report and here in South Australia it is not a requirement to declare being autistic, only if a condition that may affect your ability to drive according to the SA government.
Phuk no!! 😡 Ban those that want to ban us from driving!!
I hope not. I'm in an apprenticeship, I need to learn to drive as a requirement for my job once qualified.
It's like the Government doesn't want us to be independent & be free.
watch the video, that's not what's going on.
I never got my license - and now I joke that the world is safer for my not driving. But I've ADHD and self-diagnosed Autism, because it just is the only thing that makes sense; my sensitivities, my extra sharp senses, my weird ways of thinking and going about things. Also, my test scores tend to be up at the top of the charts when I do them online - just having a time trying to get an assessment. [Also, people who just meet me will assume I am, to the point of one lady letting me know where the Quiet room was at a major con last summer.
If they're going to subject one group of people to extra requirements/tests, everyone should have to undergo it. There are plenty of neurotypicals that drive while sleep deprived, under the influence of some substance, distracted (i.e. eating, drinking, applying make-up, talking on the phone/texting, etc.). Such drivers put others at risk, too. So much judgment, bias, and assumptions. Just ugh. Driving isn't my preference, but in today's modern society, it's essentially required. There are some alternatives, such as shipping things to your house, getting food delivered, public transportation, etc., but it's not always a viable option. Some things might not be available for shipping. Finances might be an obstacle. Public transportation might not be in your area/be unreliable. I'm just so tired of those in power acting like fellow human beings aren't human and don't deserve compassion, kindness, understanding, or common courtesy/human decency. It's nice that they're not ripping away all autistics' drivers licenses, but there's still plenty of discrimination. Also, doctors are human and can make errors. Not all doctors are bad, but my grandma's doctor was awful, never helping her or noticing there were any issues despite obvious issues like her being unable to walk. It got to the point where her legs went dead due to horrible circulation and she passed away back in August. I would hope people could get a second opinion if a doctor does make a mistake or misjudge the situation
I am autistic and was nearly 40 years old by the time I passed on my 6th attempt, does that make me a bad driver?
No, however I found myself getting nervous when having to drive on motorways in UK. It cost me too much energy and effort to really enjoy it as much as I'd hoped. I was always hyper focused on my driving and being considerate to other drivers.
I am not driving now since I lost my job 2 years ago due to a work related injury and can't afford it now.
I am convinced I never would have driven had it not been for one thing: I drove go-carts as a kid. Though go-karts and a car are so different, they are both motorized vehicles. This somehow gave me confidence I wouldn’t have otherwise had to think that I could actually drive.
@@BianTheWerewolf Many NT drivers seem to be blocking off entire swathes of sensory information including, what I've noticed, the speeds they reach right before braking behind another stopped car or stopping at a light. I think there is a kind of mass desensitization that needs to happen for most people to adapt to the driving environment. I wonder if a lot of NT depression, anxiety, anger, and so on would ease up if they didn't have to drive either and most are not even aware of what a burden it is. This is making everyone suffer. Driving to a job is TWO jobs and one of those jobs is essentially being forced on people.
Wow, that totally helped. Thanks for digging into the details. Takes the stress away. 🌺
i drive more cautiously than most people, i try to be respectful to other drivers. patience is key. this info is rubbish. great info here, thank you for the insight on this subject, very important
Medical conditions requiring reporting could include being on medications that may cause drowsiness or otherwise negatively impact the ability to drive.
I find this policy extremely offensive. I have just received my ASD diagnosis a little over a year ago and have been a school bus driver for 17 years. I find myself to be a safer driver than most. I drive around 70 children regularly seamlessly. They make me have a physical yearly now in the US because of mental health reasons instead of once every 2 years now which is more expensive for my bus company. The thing is I have been autistic driving a school bus for 17 years and nothing has changed.
it's annoying because while I understand the concerns, I have no issues driving bc I'm interested in driving and following strict rulesets.
I don't lose focus and I alter my stimming to drumming on the steering wheel when I get excited or frustrated 😆
I can see why suits would be worried though.
I would say a test to reassure the paper pushers you're capable in regards to the challenges of being Autistic while driving wouldn't be too outlandish.
Did you listen to the video? You don't need to disclose an autism diagnosis unless it somehow affects your ability to drive. It's the same deal in the U.S. It's not really autism itself that causes difficulties, because it various so much by person but conditions that often are co-morbid with autism- ADHD, epilepsy/seizures, intellectual disability, Tourette's, anxiety disorders. I have a seizure disorder but since it's controlled by meds, my doctor signs a form every few years saying that I've been seizure free so I can keep my license.
I am 28 and I did not begin driving regularly until this past year. Before that driving was INCREDIBLY stressful and overwhelming. But is that because of my Autism? Some neurotypical people are also afraid of driving or start driving late in life. I don't think one's neuro type should dictate whether or not they can drive. If you can pass the tests, you should be allowed to drive.
Thanks 🙏🏼 this really did help. My son told me about an article he read. I was going to look it up but I don’t need to now. Very well explained and I agree with you about the extra humiliation
A lovely, calm and researched video - thank you Orion for looking into the matter.
I’ve been an autistic driver for thirty years. I learned to drive in the army, driving a large truck one handed while firing a machine gun at the same time. Now I drive a small car, and I drive responsibly and within the rules. I constantly have knuckledraggers in large four wheel drive vehicles, coming up behind me, flashing their fog lights, tail-gating and otherwise being a dick. Btw, SUVs were deliberately designed to be marketed to people with strong narcissistic traits. Instead of asking me to justify being able to drive, the roads would be a lot more safer if potential drivers were tested for NPD and banned from driving if they demonstrate these traits. Autistic people are unlikely to drive irresponsibly. However people with narcissistic personality disorder are far more likely to drive aggressively or unsafely. Why aren’t these people identified in these standards? Maybe because many of the politicians enacting these laws would be directly impacted😂
😆this is exactly what ive been saying!! about NPD & politicians 😅 anyone who pays attention knows this!!
If anything, in my own experience, ASD drivers are some of the most safe, self-aware, and forward thinking drivers out there. The sole focus is on driving, nothing else; no music, devices or media. Seeing whats around us, and our environment Reliable, calm, safe, consistent, and patient. The key to all good driving is planning ahead. But most drivers are last minute or last chance heroes.
yuP
I passed my advanced driving in 1998. I now understand that my autism makes me aim to do what I do to the highest standard, including driving!
precisely.. so many of us are indeed just like that..!
I think it would depend on how severe the case is.
I've been driving for 37 years and I've only had one accident (back in my 20s) that was my fault, and it was minor.
The Brother of my mother, who is an Engineer and runs his own medium company today, had problems to get the licence. He failed 5 times the written test, he had to see a psychologist, then he failed 5 times the driving test and he had to see a psychologist the 2nd time.
Personally, I am 42Y and late diagnosed and I can say, that I was never able to pass any test related to the streets. During school ive failed the tests for bycicle, later, around 14/15, ive failed the tests to drive a moped while everyone else passed and much later, around 19/20, ive failed the written test for the driving licences, even with intense learning: "3 evenings a week, 2h an evening over 2 (TWO) YEARS!!" After 5 driving lessons I was sure, that I am not comfortable enough to drive a car or anything else on the streets of Switzerland or anywhere else.
On the other side, I own one of the highest job educations and diplomas and succeded without learning that much for it. I even gave tutoring during my apprenticeship and got paid for it from my classmates and others from our parallel classes.
I don´t know if passing or keeping the driving licences has anything to do with Autism, but for me, who compares my learning efforts for this and for the job, its like night and day. For driving i can put in 200% of my ressources and get nothing and for job related stuff I can invest 10-20% of my ressources and get everything and have a huge amount of free time.
I've learned a late in life autistic diagnosis. This is hilarious to think to me. Now, of course there is a range and if you're in the very upper range? You're probably not looking for a license anyway. But for most of us? I drove professionally, including school bus, and I was one of the best and consistent drivers. I had the top rating both thru my license/insurance and thru my employers. I think my attention to specific details and constant monitoring of what other drivers were doing worked greatly in my favor.
Heck I banned myself 😂 it was so stressful.
I am very sensitive to bright lights, especially when there's high contrast between light and dark, making night driving a terrible experience for me every time I have to do it. Headlights from opposing traffic make me almost blind to everything else. At the same time, I'd probably be unemployed or underemployed if I could not drive. Rather than making it harder for people like me to drive, I'd rather regulations on headlights' brightness and angles, better lit roads, and other changes that could make driving safer as a whole.
You have such a talent when it comes to ranting... I love it... My autistic nephew won't ever drive not because of his ASD but because he's nearly blind!! It obvious isn't it...
Level 3 autism includes "great distress or difficulty in changing actions or focus." It seems perfectly reasonable to require a person diagnosed with that to take a driving test, since driving requires at minimum normal reflex action abilities. I think people with Level 1 autism have to acknowledge that there are other levels, also referred to as "autism," that involve significant deficits in abilities, and not get "our knickers in a knot," as one of my grad school profs used to say. Also, some people diagnosed with dementia can continue to driving safely for a substantial period of time.
Wow .. I've been a professional driver for 26 years, 24 of them have been operating big rigs. The only accident I've had was when somebody sideswiped me in my private vehicle.
You share your story. A very important story for many people. Thank you for what you do. I was trying to get there but I can't do it
I am seeking a late diagnosis... I have had my license for 20 years. I needed to get my license due to my anxiety, I can't take public transport due to anxiety! If I do get a diagnosis of ASD... it will be vital for me to keep my license because it gives me the independence I need. If I didn't drive, I would be more isolated and depressed. Driving is my lifeline and the proudest thing I have achieved in my life... especially due to the face I can't work!
I have autism. I was diagnosed with it when I was 48. Now i am 51. But I have 0 interest in driving. I never even THOUGHT about driving when I was a kid. You know how most kids / teens look forward to getting that driver's license? Nope. I never had that. At all. None of the women in my house (my mother + grandmother) drove. Only my grandfather drove. Maybe that had influenced how I thought? Anyway I just never expected to drive - ever.
I mostly walk everywhere. And I am way healthier for it too...
And backing up a car to go park in an open spot at a curb looks like a lot of trouble / hassle to me.
Oddly enough I once took this random "driving quiz" online and the thing told me I was an excellent driver!! But I never studied driving or anything. My school didn't even have driver's ed.
I am learning to ride a horse though! I have an excellent seat / balance on a horse.. Why drive a car when you can ride a horse? A metal car cannot "accept you" like a horse can. A car is just a hunk of metal, wires, rubber and some other stuff. But its not going to nicker a greeting at you or come over by itself when you feel bad. And it certainly cannot be your friend.
Someday all the petroleum may be gone but the horses will still be here. Riding and caring for a horse is a good skill to have.
I believe banning neurotypical people from driving would be a more effective way of making the roads safer and the traffic more predictable
I am up for that!
EXACTLY THIS.
No more traffic jams!
I tried to learn to drive for years, but due to motor processing problems and poor vision. I decided to give it up. I do wish they had more options for pedestrians and bicyclists as well as a better bus system around here. I am a better navigator than just about anyone else in my family.
It took me a long time to feel comfortable getting a driver's license, because of my sensory overload. It's hard to know which cues to pay attention to. I've eventually gotten better at manually filtering sensory data over time when driving, but it still takes a lot of energy to drive.
Thank you for your time and research, love your videos as always
I agree with you Orion, that they're not insisting on being notified unless it impacts their ABILITY.
My eldest (20y) has ASD and is not wanting to learn to drive at all, she's happy with public transport - she'll get to work an hour early and sit and have breakfast rather than get there late because the trains only run every 1.5 hours. That's her choice. She does know a lot of the road rules - from primary schooler age, she'd ask questions about the varying line markings on the road or signs as we came across them, so I'd explain them to her and her younger sister. I've made it a point to teach them they are road users: when they walk on footpaths, cross roads, ride bikes, passengers in cars, busses, etc. so they do need to know some general rules. They are aware of how the foot pedals in the car work in both manual and automatic cars and the pros and cons of each. I taught them both the importance of seat belts in our driveway by jumping on the brakes and having them experience their bodies sliding from their seats. I even enlisted them into observing my driving and the dashboard instruments, and warning me if my speed was too fast; that way, they were also watching for speed limit signs. This was many years before eldest diagnosis in yr 9.
A couple of years ago, Hubby was working interstate a fair bit, months at a time. He taught her to use our ride-on mower to help out with chores, and it coming into Summer, he wanted the grass mowed regularly to deter snakes (semi rural). We've never aimed for a manicured lawn look, we prefer the wispy meadow look of slightly longer grass (as do the roos!), but it still needed mowing. Anyway, she absolutely loved it! She always wanted me out there with her in case she got into difficulties, so I would do my weeding and keep an eye on what she was doing. She really only had one instance - she was bordering the wire fence which had about 20cm square "links" in it, she got too close and the front wheel got caught in it. This machine is old but sturdy, the reverse gear doesn't always want to engage; so I had her put it in neutral and hold the steering wheel turned so I could push her out backwards. All ok. She went on with it with gusto! She had a lot of fun with it by making crop circles and race tracks, but by the time she was finished it all looked neat! She honed her skills, she was very meticulous with catching all the stray bits if she misjudged the cutting width. She avoided getting sunburned! She refused to wear the ear muffs but tolerated the goggles over her glasses. She had enormous fun while helping around the house! She gained confidence in operating machinery (she never liked using my sewing machine to practice on when learning it at high school) and was not bothered by the noise or smells of mowing!
I'm confidant that she could handle/operate a car, and learn the intricacies of actually driving if she were to put her mind to it, I just don't see the point of insisting when it works out cheaper to use public transport (and she's happy to walk to the station).
Driving is like a video game for me. It’s actually one of my favorite things to do. I’m on the spectrum, my whole life obviously lol… when I was 7, I had poll position for my Atari. I was hooked on driving. I still want to be a race car driver at 47. 😊
Our media is like that here too! Omg all of the alphabet channels. Total fear mongers.
Btw, your non verbal cue made me laugh out loud. When I was visiting NY, I rented a car, because I wanted to see things outside of the city. I had a chance to give non-verbal cues in NYC. It was really fun and relaxing. (Flipping non verbal cues)
Except it’s not at all like video game. If you harm someone while driving those consequences are very real. Driving is very dangerous and should be approached with extreme vigilance and caution.
Really??? Wow YOU are a genius! LOL I'm 47 and have been driving since I was 13. @@CannaToker420 Sorry Orion, this was meant for Canna Toker...I think the fella must have fell into the hooka or something 🙂 Big Hugs Orion
Totally different adventure for me.
I was one of those 19 year old undiagnosed asperger's syndrome people.
I came from a poor family in the 70's, single parent mom with 3 kids and I was the oldest. All the symptoms of asperger's all over the place but, parent family diagnosis was " oh, he is just the sweetest boy", quite, always in his room , collecting his things ,etc" all red flags but in the 70's who is paying attention to a nice boy right. I was 10 years old at the time.
At 15 years old my mom said, " you are getting a job at 18 and moving out". I couldn't even go to school and I couldn't stand the noise outside. Well, I found a job. The United States Army. Two reasons I had joined the Army. #1- The Amry would make me tough and out going so people could be my friend and #2- I had no place to go.
I made it through basic training like Forrest Gump and got stationed in Germany. As having asperger's syndrome do you really know where you are at all times. I joined the Army and don't know how I passed the test and made it through basic training, I got shipped the Germany and don't know how I got there. Asperger's got me promoted fast because I had a very good ability to focus and remember and follow orders, plus asperger's are not very social people so Army stuff is all I didn't. I started to look strange to the leaders and the troops but I performed and they used it. I was assigned to my Army truck because I was promoted to team chief and a team of 5 troops at a missile air defense site. I didn't know that I was the boss, I just wanted to be left alone to do my job. I was ordered to drive my Army truck. I never had a lesson in my left, I had learned to mimic to look normal so I got in and drove. I was driving on German highways and mountains. They gave me a license in Germany so when I got to the states. I didn't know about driving tests, license, etc but I was driving a people was wondering but never said nothing.
Crazy i literally googled 5 min ago about autistic driving and now i see your video 🤯
I met an autistic girl at work. She told me people with quirks are the most interesting. I agree.
Banning people from driving based on diagnosis alone, regardless of whether or not theyre good drivers sounds kinda Hitlery
I have not received my diagnosis yet. I am in the state and have been waiting almost six years for my diagnosis. I have worked with a counselor specializing in autism and also taken many assessments that have said I really need to seek assessment because I am highly likely to have it. The counselor said she would be shocked if I was not diagnosed as well. There is a huge shortage of neuropsychologists here to diagnose and so it can take a very long time. Also if you are under current treatment for anything else, you can not receive help for multiple mental conditions at the same time in the states. Insurance will not allow it. Which is stupid because if you have multiple illnesses such as cancer and kidney stones of course they are going to treat you for both things at the same time. Why is mental health not the same? The states are crap at times.
To my point about driving, I wholeheartedly believe my autism has made me a much better and safer driver. I am hyper aware of my surroundings, I follow rules, many people do not use their signals here (about 50%), though for me it is so automatic I often do even in my parking lot without even realizing it. I do get upset all the time at people who drive dangerously, don't use signals, etc. The only time I'll use my phone in the car is calling the cops on seriously dangerous drivers (usually about once every two months). I would say I would be an awful traffic cop and feel I missed my calling. I would be such a jerk of a cop about people not following the rules. I would have no sympathy. So it is probably good I am not a traffic cop.
I've been driving for years and have had hardly any issues. However, I have snapped and shouted at people in the car who won't let me concentrate. There was a time when 2 people were arguing and demanding my attention while I was in complicated city traffic. There was only so much people pleasing I could do and when it started to endanger the safety of the car, I yelled at them both in a way that shocked them. I don't raise my voice much but when I am ignored and it's potentially life or death... absolutely.
Yikes!!! I was scared to drive so I waited till I was 19 to get my license ublikecmy peers who got theirs at 15 and 16 but I've since driven cross country by myself many times, I was a cab driver for 3 years, a pizza delivery driver for a year and now I deliver for door dash and spark because I can so that and still care my for my son who also has autism and cannot function on school. That's just crazy!!!
I have a clean driving record because I am overly cautious, but it takes a lot of bandwidth for me to drive. I would rather not. Before I knew I was autistic I was constantly stressed out and avoiding driving places if I could, now I try to get rides or help if I need it. That being said, I am not unable to drive and I need to have a driver's license where I live.
I just found out I have autism, and it explained why I always alert and observant when driving, to the point that everyone get annoyed or amused at how I kept doing that for hours on long drive. lol I always drive without music on, in complete focus and never got bored. Also, I can't stand a single rattle, so my car interior always be well organized without any rubbish or something lying around.
I never had an accident from my own fault, only 2 accidents from someone behind not paying attention and crashed into me, and another with a bike coming the wrong way while I turned left, that haunted me forever, to always lookout for someone going the wrong way.
All? No. Me specifically at this point in my life? Yes. Too many stupid and dangerous people poking that anxiety hive.
Great Video's. Thanks 😎💯
I’m autistic! I was a delivery driver, got my license as soon as I turned 16 (got my permit at 14/15.) I got my car all by my self… had to have one of my co workers take me to get my license as my parents wouldn’t.
I love to drive , and is very good at it- but I also have adhd-- sometimes I will speed….
My Autistic child does not want to drive a car or ride a bike. But they are going to University right now.
I love driving... unless I'm forced to drive in a state outside what I'm confortable. Such as tight deadlines. Having to push through overwhelm to get to work on time so Im not homeless, when I should instead park for a bit, isn't good.
I'm legally blind, now, but when I could drive, I loved it. Especially long distance. Crank up the music, sing along at the top of my voice.
Then one day I was listening to Dead Can Dance. I was so zoned, I drove by my house three times. I had to turn the CD off so I wouldn't do it a fourth time.
Whilest i dont want deprive other people from getting their own drivers license, i would really would like to convince my past self and my parents from persuing it, took the practical exams couple of times, before finally quitting, wasting alot of money, just from having the driving lessons itself. Especially i was not that enthusiastic about personally interacting with traffic itself on a daily basis, atleast on the level of driving a car around other people driving the car. I did liked the physical part itself, as i had passed practical exams for multiple types of forklifts
My autistic husband failed his driver's test 2 times because his feet are so big that he uses his left foot for braking. There's not enough room to move his feet comfortably. He was failed on this alone (in the US). The third time, he was told he should have failed because of this, but he had a different person testing him, and this person saw the fact he did everything else right and thus was passed. Never had had an accident or trouble on the road in his near 2 decades of driving.
I'm autistic and I absolutely hate driving, but I earned my license fair and square and my road test was flawless. I live in an area with terrible walkability and no public transit. Taking away my option to drive would limit my work opportunities significantly.
Um, no! I can confidently tell you that I follow the road rules a whole lot better than about 75% of the population around here. If you can pass the driving test, you should be able to drive. I also work as a delivery driver, and it is a real blessing for me; since I tend to get along with customers than coworkers. I am forever grateful that I have the option to work alone, and the customers are great about 90% of the time (coworkers . . . not so much! Lol.).
I passed my driving test 30 years ago, and was diagnosed with Asperger's and ADHD two years ago (UK here). I haven't had an accident for many years and was even a professional driver for about seven years.
I believe my autism, and hyperfocus makes me a better driver -- not perfect, because that would be arrogant, but there is something about the rules and rituals of driving that puts me 'in the zone'.
doesn't affect me since i am not a citizen of australia nor do i drive (for various non-medical reasons) but that kind of law sounds bonkers. there are so many neurotypical people out there that really shouldn't be allowed to drive and yet they never lose their license. targeting a specific group is just discrimination.
I'm hyper vigilant when driving with adhd. I check and double check everything all the time. Never speed and check my blind spots rapidly over and over again. It can be exhausting in the city and super aware of the power of a car but its an acceptable thing I must do.
We ha a whole spate of these articles in the UK about ADHD people (as well as a whole load of misinformation about if you have to be medicated to drive etc)The thing is, Autism is life long (like ADHD), anyone learning to drive who is Autistic, is Autistic while they are learning and Autistic when they pass their test, if they have managed to learn to drive and pass the test...they are safe to drive. Lol, wrote that before watching the whole vid and seeing Orion say exactly that same thing!
Driving requires a level of social awareness and trust I am not capable of. I would quickly end up dead. I don't understand the thinking process of people who are okay with this situation - I'm not getting what they're seeing, or what they're ignoring, that allows them to engage in this behavior with other people. I'm not even separating out ASD vs NT on this because people on the spectrum can reach this conclusion, too, and I'm not seeing it.
I’ve had several professional driving jobs, casually competed in automotive competition and my car is my freedom.
I’m a better driver than MANY NTs.
I'm hoping to get my ASD diagnosis this year and I'm licensed on 2, 3 and 4 wheels. Pretty much anything smaller than a 26,001# or without a 10,000# trailer is something that I'm legally allowed to drive and I've never had any sort of serious crash. Clearly, there shouldn't ever be a blanket ban as I doubt I"m the only one. That being said, I’m sure there are folks that can't either due to sensory processing issues or coordination.
Some people see Sheldon Cooper’s aversion to driving when they hear someone e has autism. As someone said before, they lump us all together.
This is why I think autism needs categories and symptom levels for each category
Considering that cars are my special interest…that I passed my license at 16 with zero mistakes…that I have done several track days without incident…I can’t see the reasoning by the Australian gov’t here. I empathize with neurodivergent people who aren’t comfortable driving-but that’s a fundamentally different problem than a gov’t making a blanket determination that autistics should need more training/help/whatever before they drive.
In my experience, allistic drivers who think everything is “easy” and more likely to text & drive, drink & drive, etc. are the ones I’d be looking more closely at.
I am a visual learner and thinker. I caught onto driving extremely fast. The first truck I drove was a semi dump truck with a low high 5 speed transmission, basically a ten speed transmission, I was sixteen. Some of us excel in operating all types of machinery. I also loved working on machinery, it was my way of stemming. Unfortunately I no longer am able to do that due to physical injuries from war.
This is really implying that people with ASD can't use judgment. I drive for a living. I have been having difficulties that have pushed me into a kind of cycling burnout. My financial difficulties were increased because I was missing work, due to me making the decision that my "symptoms" that day would make it unsafe for me to be on the road. My partner has encountered financial issues at times for the same reason.
There's an added nuance to this topic. All licensed drivers have a very diverse range of ability. For example without being aegist an 80yo may not have the same reflexes as an 18yo. Some people are confident drivers, some are anxious. Some are conscientious and some are anti-social. Some have good coordination some don't. Some are taking medicines that impact driving. Driving ability can vary day to day for the same individual, depending on how much sleep they've had, if they have a minor illness or even what mood they're in. But do they all meet a basic level of safety? Yes, and as Orion said, they all passed the standard basic competency test to obtain their licence.
Does autism affect driving? Of course it does. In both negative and postive ways. Does it necessarily make you an unsafe driver? No, not when compared with the average driver certainly not. I spent 20yrs driving emergency vehicles before training to be a doctor and then getting diagnosed with ASD. But I faced massive challenges that my emergency colleagues did not. From navigational deficits, thru signage processing and speed and distance awareness, to exhaustion from the additional concentration required. I developed lots of strategies to compensate, just as we auties do with all our challenges. I did not suffer one single driving incident in my emergency career. I know more about traffic management, road signs, vehicle behaviour, and lots of other technical driving stuff than any of my colleagues. My prime difficulties are with information processing. Fortunately my psychomotor skills are unaffected but like many I don't have binocular vision and nite vision is poor. Even now, I find everyday driving very challenging and am very selective. But I'm still pretty safe compared with the majority of drivers. I expect there's a fair share of autistic professional racing drivers who would face challenges on public roads.
When I received a diagnosis the advice in my country at the time was to disclose autism to the licensing authority and so place yourself at the mercy of some medical review board (which I didn't, for the reasons Orion explained) but that guidance was revised soon after to 'if it affects your driving'. I interpreted this to mean if it makes you less safe than the average driver. Insurers have similar wording so I don't feel obliged to disclose my ASD to them either. As a medical professional I've had to notify the authorities a few times about patients with various serious conditions who shouldn't be driving but were, so I understand the process. But these have been unambiguous things like drug addiction etc. Knowing the lack of knowledge and prejudice of some health professionals about autism I'm not sure I'd trust them all to make a judgement on cases of driving with ASD. And unfortunately, once the authorities receive a notification it's like trying to stop an oil tanker. Plus you then have to inform your insurers.
My only fear is that a very safe autistic driver might be involved in a collision completely unconnected with their ASD and some smart ass lawyer will discover they have autism and try to attribute blame. If they can do it with custody battles they will do it with road accidents.
Cars and driving are a special interest so i think ive hyperfocused to learn how to drive well and hyperfocus in ways that other autistic people haven't figured out how to do . I've never had an accident, I'm 25 and I'll had my license since I was 16. I drive like a NASCAR driver...
thanks for the clarity for everyone Orion.. at least a link for us to send someone who starts giving us sh1tt.
and for your
place to vent ;)
Neurodivergence doesn't make you bad at driving. Emotional conditions can.
I have ASD and am considering making alternative plans when I'm stressed. I drive alright most of the time but when I am under stress my situational awareness and special awareness plumet and it can be dangerous.
It would be beyond stupid to take people's licenses away due to a late autism dx, though I kind of get why ASD would be a flag for identifying people who might have more difficulty driving than others.
I think it depends on the way your sensory processing is effected by your autism/neurodivergence, as sensory processing variance is a "symptom" for lack of better phrasing of having ASD. Personally, the sensory challenges associated with my autism reduces my processing speed and effects my vision/equilibrium in a way that cannot be aided by glasses. I can't track car movement fast enough and tend to go directly into the freeze response when I need to respond behind the wheel. I get why there are some extra hoops to go through to get a license due to the ASD label and using ASD for a flag to identify people who may have more difficulty driving than others is not necessarily bad because of this, even acknowledging autistic folks that are excellent at driving.
Also though, their reasoning for questioning ASD people's ability to drive is absolute nonsense.
If you take the ASD out of it, anyone who may not be completely fit to drive in all respects whatever the reason should consider it carefully, a car is a lethal weapon and the repercussions of an accident can be catastrophic.
Autism is on a spectrum and can affect ability to drive, it can profoundly affect every area of life even to the degree where a person needs care at all times. So can a whole other range of neurodevelopmental conditions.
A late diagnosis where ASD is not an issue previously regarding ability in any areas is different, but individuals are enormously different and some may indeed have issues with driving and lots of other areas in life which were unexplained, it’s a grey area but safety is important and it’s difficult to cover all possible connotations regarding this
Which is why you have to prove competence and maintain a good record to have a licence…..
I don't drive, I got my L's when I was younger and never got the hang of my perspective on the road and stopped after a couple of months.
Instead I ride a motorbike as I don't have to worry about the perspective issue as my vehicle is the same width as me.
Another reason that I preferred a bike over a car is that in a car someone has to sit there and correct everything that you are doing, if you are under 25 log 120 driving hours, over 25 drive enough that you are confident and then go for the next test again with someone in the car with you. On the bike you do a 2 half day pre course where you are taught all the basics of how to ride your bike (I wish that they taught you how to do a hill start though), you then take the certificate from passing that and go for your written test, pass that and you are on the road with your L's and can't have a passenger until you are on your full licence.
I find it a bit ironic that 6 months before my autism diagnosis I rode to the Gold Coast stayed there for 5 days and rode back (with the breaks it took me 12 hours each way) and yet if I went there now I would have to evaluate if I believed my autism caused me any driving issues and potentially have to report that to ????? for me to ride there.
In Canada, for getting driving license you need to sign that you have no ASD or diabetes. If you had - you'll need to bring a document from doctor that will require some tests
Best advice I have for all drivers is this: drive like everyone else is stupid.