Any dyspraxic/autistic (incl. asperger's) with coordination problems learnt to drive?

[MeadowHay]

I've been watching I'm Different: Let Me Drive on iPlayer, which first of all I think is a fantastic programme and I'm really enjoying it and would reccomend it to everyone.

I'm 23 and planning to start driving lessons after I finish uni in a few months time. Well, if I can afford it, but that's another topic.

The thing is though I have serious doubts about whether I will actually be able to learn. I have coordination problems due to Asperger's Syndrome and am also dyslexic although idk if that's relevant, and I have an anxiety disorder. Not worried about the theory test but learning to drive will no doubt be super hard. I'm going to learn automatic instead of manual as I'm sure that will make it easier for me (one less thing to think about at any one time I'm sure). I have a dyspraxic friend but she's not tried to learn to drive and I have a friend with Asperger's who drives and I think is a good driver (altho obv I don't drive so...), but then she doesn't have any coordination impairment (she used to swim competitively and she's a black belt in a martial art!) so isn't affected by the condition in that way.

Any success stories from MN for me to encourage me??

My son has dyspraxia and probably ASD as well. He got his licence just before he turned 20 (about 18 months ago). I think it was his 5th (?) driving test. I don't think he found it particularly difficult to learn to operate the car, but being able to do that at the same time as paying attention to other drivers and making decisions was a bit challenging for him. Here you need 100 hours of logged practice before you can take the test so he did have lots of practice. He's now a very careful and safe driver.

My co-ordination is shit and I'm clumsy as hell but I can drive fine. I can't catch a ball for reference as to how shit I am. It took me ages to get my brain round the gears and I don't parallel park but I passed the test second time round.

I have terrible co-ordination - example: I have a massive bruise on my leg, DH asked how I did it and I have no idea! It took me a lot to become capable of driving. I had 45 lessons, 2 x 1 hour lessons per week for 6 months but when I took my test, I passed first time. I still find it tough to go to new places but I push myself to keep driving. I offer to drive parts of long journeys with DH so I'm still confident driving long distances on my own. I'm dyslexic and autistic. Sat navs have helped my issue significantly!

I have aspergers and I'm very clumsy, but my driving is good and I passed my test first time. I love driving even though I have anxiety as well.

You could always learn in an automatic.

Thanks everyone, that is all very reassuring. I am planning to learn in an automatic as I figure that will make things a lot easier for me and therefore also help my anxiety levels.

I'm autistic with very poor co-ordanation (As in a will spill froman open cup), also ADHD so very short attention span i learnt to drive.

My adult son has both diagnosed dyslexia and dyspriaxia and we suspect undiagnosed aspergers . He passed his driving test on second attempt. (Tests and exams make him so nervous) But He proudly hot his trailer test at first attempt. He had very little time to think as was not given much warning that he was doing it which helped his nerves.
He has to think left from right and has not the best sense of direction..
He is a good careful driver and always has been.
Much depends on the driving instructor..
Get someone who has good patience and who your child will have a good rapport with. They will also be able to advise.
Use certain helps such as wearing a watch on an either l or r wrist .Always make sure all paper work is with them. Have heard of ones failing for forgetting the licence .
Good wishes .

How do drivers cope with other drivers not keeping to the rules? This is what worries dd

I passed my test first time in 5 months I got my theory out of the way first, then started lessons 2 hours a week but I also got provisional insurance so I could practice what I was leaning everyday...I mainly only drive on routes I know but sometimes with the help of a sat nav I go further (but not motorways). I get do get frustrated by other people not following the rules of the road, it used to make me very anxious but now 18 months later I have got a lot better at coping with it...I never thought I would be able to do it but found a amazing driving instructor who specialised in supporting people with additional needs to learn to drive...go for it, goodluck

I failed 3 times in a manual and passed 1st time in an automatic. It's so much easier. Check out test routes and pass rates. My local test centre is notoriously hard, so I commuted to an easier one!

My DD has aspergers with dysprexia and anxiety issues. It has taken 2 years to pass her test on her 6 th attempt! Her instructor said is was purely due to anxiety as she was a good driver, but would become super anxious during her test.
While she was ready to give up at time, now she has passes she is really pleased with her self and sees it as one of her biggest achievements!

@tobee - I find that the most stressful part of driving. I constantly think "but that's not in the highway code" or get really stressed about how undpredictable other drivers are. My parents gave me really good advice about some things, and usually I just assume that all other drivers are idiots. And I avoid driving whenever possible.

Thanks for your reply, Springer. That's interesting.

I passed my test a few years ago in an automatic.

I did loads of lessons in a manual but found it really hard to control my foot on the clutch and was constantly stalling as couldnt feel the bite, even after a year of lessons, and then stalling would make me panic. I also found i would drift when trying to change gear and couldnt concentrate on the road as well as the gear change

Going to automatic was brilliant. SO much easier. Could finally concentrate on driving instead of the mechanics of the car