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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Hubby's driving - problems with neighbours

211 replies

ProPerformer · 24/07/2012 08:43

Ok, so to start: my hubby has suspected Aspergers syndrome (Not officially diagnosed, but both of us strongly suspect it and a friend of mine who is an aspergers expert says he almost certainly has) - he sometimes finds it difficult to understand other peoples opinions on things, social conventions, body language, appropriate ways of speaking etc. and this has caused problems with various neighbours in the past. (Tbh I do sometimes think our neighbours, nice as they seem, have a vendetta against us as they always seem to have been talking about us behind our backs but.... Maybe that's just my anxiety disorder.... Sure it is.... Hmm )

Anyway.... The other day we came home from shopping to be confronted by one of our neighbours telling DH to 'please slow down coming in and out of the shared driveway as the neighbours have all been talking about how he drives so fast, especially since getting our new car.'.
As far as I could hear (I was staying out of it in the car!) she was being quite reasonable and polite to begin with, DH responded that her kids and other kids are often playing in the driveway and he has never been even close to hitting them before (This is true, he always looks out for kids and animals and if there are any always stops in plenty of time without having to emergency stop). Unfortunately, because of his Aspergers, his body language and tone of voice was rather aggressive and he did seem to probe a bit too much into her reasons for her statement rather than just smiling, nodding and saying 'ok ill try to be slower'.
Unfortunately our neighbour had, what she later confessed to be a mouth before brain moment' and made a rude remark about his driving which then made him storm into the house ending the conversation. I then felt obliged to go apologise to the neighbour on his behalf and explain about his suspected Aspergers. She was extremely reasonable and apologetic for upsetting him but re-iterated that he just drives too fast. I said ok, I had never noticed the problem, but I am not a driver so.... Prepared to take her word.
Anyway when I got in to DH and talked to him he really was trying to see the neighbour's pov but just was physically/mentally unable to. Then a couple of days later he came out with 'I've been looking at my speed in the driveway and it's 8mph which gives me plenty of stopping distance and I can't go much slower than that anyway cos of needing to turn and stuff!" - he says he will 'try' to be slower but is convinced he a) wont be able to do so and b) it will be more dangerous if he does as he'll be concentrating on his speed rather than what's going on in the driveway.

As I said, I've never noticed a problem with his speed in the driveway as he does always stop in loads of time and is always hyper aware of kids and animals bring around (he has only ever run over 1 animal while out on motorways for naff sake!) BUT if 'all the neighbours' are talking about his fast driving then he must be going fast right?

Who is BU - DH or the neighbours? I'm open to both possibilities as I really have no clue and I just want us all to get on Sad

OP posts:
Ikickedthetyres · 24/07/2012 10:41

Bottom line. If it was me. I'd be saying either you go to the doc and get a formal diagnosis, which will let you access appropriate help and support, or you sort your own shit out. Which means dealing with the angry neighbours his own attitude brings all by himself. This halfway house is doing neither of you any favours.

Out of interest, even if he has a formal diagnosis, do you think your neighbours will give a shit? I wouldn't. Maybe in a social interaction, yes - but Wrt the actual issue of him driving too fast and putting kids in danger, I wouldn't give a toss if he had any medical condition under the sun. If he can't drive safely and appropriately to the situation and can't adequately assess the risk to others from his driving then he's unsafe and he should not be behind the wheel of a car.

ProPerformer · 24/07/2012 10:41

Just to say Thanks everyone for your replies so far (and for any to come) I'm going to be 'bowing out' for a bit as an getting emotional and have stuff to do round the house.

I do appreciate all replies - even the harsher ones Smile.
TBH I'm relieved it really is DH BU as it does confirm what I suspected and maybe, just maybe, if I can convince him of that he will try to get some diagnosis/help for his Aspergers/whatever it is making him like this. He's not just 'an arse' - I d known many 'arseholes' and it's just not the same with him - he really does genuinely not understand others' pov's sometimes - or he's a damn good at acting confused and repentant! He wants to get on with people and be polite he just can't seem to get the conventions right.

Anyways... Thanks again. I may pop back later tonight/tomorrow to update. We'll see.

OP posts:
LadyInDisguise · 24/07/2012 10:45

ProPerformer I actually don't think that the fact your DH has suspected AS is either an excuse or not part of the problem. What you are describing would very typical of someone with AS and it obviously needs to be taken into account when you have a word with him.

I am ShockShock at people saying that because he is not officially diagnosed then it's juts an excuse and he is just a twat. As if not having a diagnosis means you are not ill!!
No one would ever say that to someone who can't hear. You don't have an official diagnosis, there fore it's just an excuse and you can hear very well Hmm.
And as parent, I would also be Angry at anyone making similar comment about my child. Oh he doesn't have a diagnosis yet so he is just being spoiled/having a tantrums/needs to be disciplined because he is coming as rude in his comments. All that because it can take years to have a diagnosis but in the mean time, you know, that child HAS to be better disciplined...
Also you have to keep in mind that as an adult you might not be able to get a diagnosis (budget cuts and all that) and holding on a job doesn't mean you don't have any communication problems either and you are just being rude/a twat or whatever ever else the OP's h has been called.

Performer, I would like to know how he knows that he was going at 8mph exactly? I mean my speedo isn't that precise and I would have difficulties saying if I am going at 2, 5 or 8mph tbh.

Can I ask how long you have been living there? The 'well we have all being talking about how fast your DH is going' seems wrong to me. I can easily see why it feels like people are talking behind your back. Well because they are and it is not very clever from from them either.

Also could you check if the issue is his speed when he is coming onto the driveway or if actually some people feel there is an issue with his speed on the road rather than just the bit to go onto yur drive.?

ProPerformer · 24/07/2012 10:45

(just popping on for this reply) IKTT I think I phrased my OP wrong - when I said to neighbour in this situation about his suspected Aspergers I said it to explain/apologise for his attitude and tone of voice - I certainly Did not use it as an excuse for his fast driving as agree it has no bearing on that! Sorry if my OP or subsequent replies have been confusing on that issue. Smile

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 24/07/2012 10:46

Your neighbour felt your DH was so abusive that it made him want to call the Police?

You see even if he does get a diagnosis, it really won't give him a licence to abuse people.

Also, it's quite possible to be an aggressive driver and an abusive man with or without ASD.

I don't really get what you want from him being diagnosed?

Ikickedthetyres · 24/07/2012 10:47

Ladyindisguise - it doesn't matter to how fast or dangerous his driving is.

Ikickedthetyres · 24/07/2012 10:48

Worraliberty - I agree. Again. Smile

WorraLiberty · 24/07/2012 10:49

I'd better go and have a lie down IKTT Grin

LadyInDisguise · 24/07/2012 10:51

BTW ProPerformer, please keep in mind when reading these answers that few of the people here have any idea of what it means to live in an AS/NT relationship, nor do they have any idea of what AS really means.

They only see someone who has by 'normal' standards a crap attitude and are going along the lines of 'no diagnosis, no illness therefore no excuses' as if having AS was just an 'excuse' that unfortunately you 'have' to accept.

You might get a better support in other parts of this forum, such as the Special Need board etc...

LadyInDisguise · 24/07/2012 10:53

Ikickedthetyres that's NOT what I am talking about and you know it. I am talking about the fact a lot of people have being very rude and called the OP's H am arrogant tosser amongst other things.

Not something that is going to help the OP when she has someone in front of her that doesn't understand the issue and doesn't want to be rude even though he is coming across like this.

Ikickedthetyres · 24/07/2012 10:54

Ladyindisguise - with respect. Some do. But, an arse is an arse is an arse. And dangerous driving is dangerous driving. An AS diagnosis won't change that. There is NEVER an excuse for getting behind the wheel of a lethal weapon and driving that lethal weapon in a reckless way that endangers others.

Sirzy · 24/07/2012 10:56

If his "suspected aspergers" means he is unable to see when his driving is dangerous then he shouldn't be driving

ProPerformer · 24/07/2012 10:56

Ok I can't keep away from here!
Just to let everyone know I couldn't help myself and text DH the 5mph thing and mentioned some of the other stuff from this thread to him. He text back to say "Well I'll try because I don't want anyone upset or hurt.... I didn't think I was going fast but maybe I was. If you like I'll agree to try to get diagnosis/help when we get back from holiday if you agree to do more research into getting yourself counselling for your anxiety. Xx"

Ok not ideal - but there's hope! Smile

OP posts:
Ikickedthetyres · 24/07/2012 10:56

He is an arrogant tosser from the way he's behaving about this. And tbh can you tell me why the neighbours have to change their behaviour and make allowances ? Meaning no harm to the op but the neighbours have the inalienable right to put the safety of their kids first and not expect to be treated in an aggressive manner.

LadyInDisguise · 24/07/2012 10:57

Worra, the thing is it does happen that people with AS come across as aggressive (or abusive) when they are NOT. That's certainly one of the very big issue with AS especially when you talk about adults that have not being diagnosed as children and therefore have not received the help they needed as a child/teenager. To help them recognize what is Ok to say or ways to say things that are more 'socially appropriate'.

It is a very complex issue and your reactions shows that you haven't a clue.

ProPerformer · 24/07/2012 10:59

LID I don't know if you do PM's but if you do please Pm me (I can't seem to PM you)

OP posts:
Ikickedthetyres · 24/07/2012 10:59

So, a man I barely know is rude and aggressive to me. He reduces me to tears. But his wife comes round later and tells me I have to understand he has suspected Aspergers ? Given that this man is nothing to me, I am not invested emotionally in him, why would I give a shit? Or would my DH be more likely to tell her to fuck off she's just making excuses?

(which I then understand Pro would make you anxious, but DH would be protecting ME because he cares about ME first and foremost )

Ikickedthetyres · 24/07/2012 11:01

I'm loving that people can be aggressive and abusive but they're not. Great. So instead of getting the ASD person to address their behaviour, it's up to the rest of the world to constantly make excuses and allowances? Life doesn't work like that

LadyInDisguise · 24/07/2012 11:02

I'll leave this thread now as I am getting very AngryAngry.

I have never ever said that the neigbourgs needed to change their behaviour. I am just AngryAngry that no one seems to be happy to take into consideration that this man has special difficulties to see something that is perhaps obvious to most.
And that it seems OK to insult someone who has undiagnosed AS because ...well... he is not diagnosed so it doesn't count and I can insult him then....

This has nothing to do with the speed of the car or making allowances or anything else. Or with the fact that he has to change some of his ways.

Everything to do with some people attitudes to AS though.

Ikickedthetyres · 24/07/2012 11:04

But he makes a choice to get behind the wheel of a car and drive in a dangerous way. His AS may well be why he does that. Or he may not have AS. if he knocks down and kills my child would I give a fuck?

marquesas · 24/07/2012 11:06

IKTT - the effect on you of a rude and aggressive encounter is the same if it comes from a rude and aggressive person or someone who has some reason outside their control for acting like that.

Just because you were reduced to tears doesn't mean that the person who did it didn't have AS or another condition. The cause and effect are separate issues here.

Not saying the OPs DH has AS - I have no idea but I can see both sides.

Floggingmolly · 24/07/2012 11:07

God, please don't post that note Hmm. "Suspected" or diagnosed, Aspergers will not preclude him talking on his own behalf, don't appoint yourself his manager for both your sakes.
Surely he holds down a job, so is perfectly able to communicate with people when he chooses to?

GoingforGoingforGOLD · 24/07/2012 11:08

Irrelevantly bit interestingly I know a fair few people with diagnosed aspergers and something they all have in common is that they don't drive

Ikickedthetyres · 24/07/2012 11:08

Marquesa - I get that. What I'm saying is that whether or not they have as is irrelevant to me. Iykwim?

Ikickedthetyres · 24/07/2012 11:09

So if the op came round going "well he has AS" my response would be "and? Why should I give a fuck"