Learning to drive: tips and tricks to support Autistic learners
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Learning to drive can feel as scary as it does exciting. Whilst driving can empower people with newfound independence, it can also bring with it many challenges, particularly in the learning stages.
If you’re Autistic and learning to drive, we know these challenges can be complex, and can sometimes result in learning feeling too difficult and overwhelming. And unfortunately, sometimes this means it gets put off entirely.
To help remove some of these barriers and challenges, we’ve put together a list of tips you can pass on to your driving instructors (be that a family member, friend, or formal driving instructor), so they can best support you to learn to drive.
We hope this list can serve as a starting point for conversations and help reduce the mental load needed to self-advocate. You’ve got this!
Allow time to get to know the car
New environments can be challenging for some Autistic people, so supporting them to get to know the type of car they’ll be learning to drive in can help make them more comfortable. The first choice they’ll have to make is whether they’ll learn to drive in an automatic or manual car. Once they’ve done that, you can help them find a car to get to know before it’s time to drive.
This could be a car that belongs to them, a family member, friend, or a driving instructor. Sit with them in the car, with you in the passenger seat, them in the driver’s seat, and the ignition turned off. Together, go through where the brakes, accelerator, gear stick, speedometer, indicators, and other relevant controls are.
Find a supportive driving instructor
Depending on where you live, some states may recommend an assessment with an occupational therapist before your learner starts lessons. The occupational therapist may be able to recommend an instructor, suggest modifications that will accommodate learning or give personalised advice on the best way to learn.
When choosing an instructor, work with the learner to identify how they best take in information and support them to find someone who possesses the teaching qualities that will suit their needs. This could be a professional instructor, family member, friend or carer.
Things they may want to look for are clear and direct communication, a calming car with a no music or fragrances rule, an instructor that will let them drive in a familiar car, and a friendly, understanding teaching style. These are all questions that can be asked when calling a potential instructor to talk about booking a lesson. A driving instructor who has experience with Autistic learners is also very helpful.
Create a structured routine
Many Autistic people appreciate routine and structure, so implementing as much of this as possible into their learning can be helpful. This may involve planning a series of lessons ahead of time, discussing possible routes, creating goals for each lesson, and adding in any breaks they may need to each lesson. Being aware of any specific needs the person you are supporting may have and building in any extra time for them to process before starting the lesson or after learning a new skill will ensure they are best placed to succeed.
Use visual aids
Not everyone learns the same way, and verbal instruction may not be the best way to help someone learn to drive. Autistic people may benefit from visual aids such as diagrams and videos to help them understand driving concepts.
A good way for an instructor to do this is to use a drawing of a road or intersection and a toy car to demonstrate what is being asked of the learner. This is especially helpful to explain complex manoeuvres and traffic rules.
Google Maps is another great tool you can use to see what obstacles the learner may encounter and predict what skills they may have to put to practice in a lesson. Additionally, some people may find it helpful to use Google Maps Street View to virtually follow their lesson route in preparation.
Practice in a familiar environment
The geographic area a person will explore during their lesson can make a big difference to their confidence levels. Starting driving lessons in a familiar environment such as a quiet residential area or a familiar parking lot, and outlining the expected route for the lesson are great ways to support an Autistic learner. While it’s impossible to predict all diversions or traffic conditions that may alter this route, reducing as much uncertainty as possible can help lower anxiety and make the lesson easier.
Provide clear and concise feedback
If the learner you’re supporting seems to be having difficulty understanding something, struggling with a particular manoeuvre or finding a particular aspect of the lesson difficult, make sure to pull over and support them to fully understand the concept. Remember, you’re there to help facilitate learning, and voicing your feedback in a clear, polite way will ensure they are best place to succeed.
Specific questions such as asking them how particular manoeuvres went, and what they felt went well, over broader ones such as “how did it go?” can help support them on their learning journey to getting their licence.
This also applies for when they eventually take their driving test. If they pass on the first go, congratulate them! If not, make sure they know it can take many people several tries. Supporting them to ask the assessor what they can improve on will help them address the areas they struggle with and improve their driving so they can try again in the future.
Driving, like any other skill, can take some time to learn. Not everyone needs to learn at the same pace, and there will be ups and downs. But with persistence, and providing inclusive, supportive environments, we can help Autistic individuals thrive on the road and ensure safer journeys for everyone.