With the invention of the automobile, driving has become a mode of survival. People with autism need to drive to keep spinning the circle of life. However, their experience may vary due to their functional and neurological differences. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a developmental and neurological dysfunction caused by differences in the brain. It affects the ability of people to learn, act and interact with others in society. People with autism may experience relatively slow or delayed achievements. They can have a socially awkward attitude in the crowd. Thus, people with autism may have difficulty in driving due to developmental disabilities. Therefore, there are some ambiguities surrounding individuals with autism who choose to drive, which can be answered below.
Legislation of driving for ASD drivers
There is no legal statute prohibiting people with autism from driving. Therefore, it is not illegal for an autistic person to drive a car or any other vehicle.
Driving test for ASD individuals
For people with ASD, a driving test entails the same requirements to get a license as people with no spectrum. However, depending on the function of development and motor skills, the length of time can vary, and individuals with ASD may require more time compared to others. According to the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, people with autism can take significantly more instructional time to obtain a certification or driver’s license than others. People with ASD can get a driver’s license, but they also have to combat with their inabilities.
Driving challenges related to ASD
People with ASD suffer from motor coordination problems and can encounter many hurdles while driving. These are listed below
Communication problems
People with autism can have difficulty understanding the linguistic and nonverbal communication of other drivers. They may not be able to receive signals while driving. For example, if a person with ASD stops at a four-way stop and another driver emits some signal (such as a wave), the driver with ASD may not be able to understand this nonverbal clue due to motor coordination skills.
Awareness of road hazard
People with autism may find it difficult to recognize the traffic hazards, including pedestrians while driving. Due to their slow coordination, they may not be able to understand the scene and act accordingly in the face of sudden hazard.
Becoming too bound by rules
People with ASD are strict with the traffic rules and that is a positive point, but sometimes it can create challenges for them as well. For example, an autistic driver may not interpret how breaking a rule lies in a safety sense, when approaching instruction with full speed and ready to cross but the yellow light turns on, it is safer to continue to drive. But, a driver with ASD will most likely take this instruction literally and could not interpret how it is safe to break the rule.
So these are some of the challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Individuals with ASD, due to their motor coordination and executive functioning, can face the above-mentioned barriers while driving. However, there are also some strong points that help autistic drivers to drive safely.
Strengths associated with ASD and driving
Autism along with challenges also provides strengths as well which can make the autistic individual a good driver. These strengths are
Adherence to driving rules
Individuals with spectrum strictly abide by the driving rules than those with no spectrum. They are less likely to break the signals or breach any other instruction because they take every given instruction literally.
Limited risk-taking
Like other drivers, autistic individuals do not go for stunts while driving and they do not take risks like speeding up their vehicles. As mentioned above, they abide by the rules so when they are instructed to keep the speed to a certain limit they will not cross that limit and do driving stunts unlike people with no spectrum.
Attention to the driving environment
Unlike other drivers, autistic individuals pay full attention to the driving environment thus they are less likely to crash.
Driving strategies for ASD drivers
Occupational therapists suggest the following strategies that should be adapted for the treatment of autistic drivers:
• Social and hazard perception
• Running commentary
• Emergency preparedness
Conclusion
Everyone must have this right, as driving is a necessary means of transportation. People with autism must also be able to drive independently. Since there are no legal restrictions that prevent them from driving, so society should also play that role to ensure that they feel comfortable while driving. Because they are unable to perform certain neurological and developmental functions, they should be addressed with appropriate strategies, which can help them overcome the driving obstacles and enable them to drive normally like any other driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it legal for a person with autism to get a driver’s license?
Yes, it is. There is no statutory law prohibiting people with autism from getting a driver’s license.
- Can a person with autism drive normally like any other person?
People with autism can have different driving experiences. The inability of them to function and develop can cause challenges while driving.
- Is there a way to overcome the driving problems faced by people with autism?
Yes, occupational therapists suggest some strategies to help people with autism become independent drivers.
