08/24/2026
Autism and Learning to Drive
Have you ever considered that learning to drive might be a challenge instead of an exciting attainment for many teens? To begin with, it will be a totally new experience and many teens don’t have the desire to tackle that change, much more so if that teen is on the spectrum. It will need to be a comfortable change because it is filled with rules and regulations, plus we want these teens to remain safe during the process. So let’s set a plan in place to help the Autistic teens tackle this life changing challenge.
1. Start simple. Don’t expect your teenager to get behind the wheel of the family SUV without apprehension and a bundle of nerves. If you can use a golf cart, a UTV, or a similar vehicle, the initial process can be less daunting.
2. Don’t expect driving by the 16th birthday. No teen has ever died because they did not have the permit in their wallet by their 16th birthday. The Autistic teens I’ve worked with are not as mature as many teens are and that’s perfectly ok. It is a scientific fact that boys mature at a slower pace than girls, therefore, an Autistic teen male may not be ready to drive by his 16th birthday and again, that’s OK. Don’t rush this privilege or the process in getting there.
3. Find an open field or parking lot to begin practicing. Eliminate the added pressure of maneuvering around other cars and drivers. An open field will eliminate a lot of the stress associated with traffic.
4. Every teenager is different. Make sure your teen has the time and opportunity to practice and practice some more. We don’t want the pressure of obtaining a Driver’s License to make the teen so nervous he/she can’t respond as needed when driving on their own.
5. Locate an online or in-person driving course. Maybe as a parent, you may be too involved and may not be the ideal driving instructor to work with your teenager. If you get easily frustrated, try to locate someone else to be your teen’s driving instructor. There is no law that says this must be YOUR responsibility.
I am no expert in teaching teenagers to drive, but I do believe all teens want to be independent and able to care for themselves. They all want to be self-sufficient, become employed, and raise a family. Learning to drive is just one step, but it is a vital step toward INDEPENDENCE. Do whatever is necessary to make this a successful endeavor for your teenager. You won’t regret the time it takes to attain this goal.
Barbara
