BEST WAYS TO PREPARE FOR THE ROAD TEST WITH AUTISM

from Exceptional Needs Today Issue 5

EXCEPTIONAL BOOKS TRANSITIONING FROM A PEDIATRICIAN TO AN ADULT PHYSICIAN

Best Ways to Prepare

for the Road Test with Autism

By Andrew Arboe

FOR MANY INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM, LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE IS COMPOSED OF A MIX OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CHALLENGES. EXTERNAL CHALLENGES APPEAR IN THE FORM OF LIMITED RESOURCES AND SERVICES IN ONE’S AREA OR WITHIN ONE’S STATE, WHILE INTERNAL CHALLENGES CAN RANGE FROM EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING DIFFICULTIES TO SENSORY-RELATED DIFFICULTIES. MANY OF THESE CHALLENGES ARE UNIQUE TO BEING AN AUTISTIC INDIVIDUAL LEARNING TO DRIVE, AND WHILE IT TAKES EFFORT AND PLANNING, IT’S POSSIBLE TO OVERCOME THEM.

Iam familiar with this because of my experiences as an autistic individual as well as my experiences as a consultant and speaker on driving while autistic. I have consulted with clients all over Connecticut and throughout the country and host webinars based on my experiences with learning how to drive. The approach I take to learning to drive as an autistic individual is unique and based around strategizing and planning for success. One issue I have repeatedly encountered is how to effectively prepare for the road test as an autistic driver. The road test portion of the process one goes through to get a driver’s license is not only difficult but tends to be extremely daunting and anxiety-invoking as well. I am here today to help you understand how to effectively prepare for success with the road test!

Passing the road test as an autistic driver can be very difficult. It is a major milestone and different people reach it at their own pace. But by approaching it with effective strategizing and planning, every driver can overcome challenges once thought too difficult.

Here are a few tips I consider very useful to any autistic driver considering taking a road test on their way to a license:

Take time to drive around the DMV area

This is honestly one of the best and most important tips I give any new driver. The road test typically involves driving around the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) surrounding area, and access to those roads is open twenty-four-seven. If a prospective driver can drive around the area and experience the roads and how they feel beforehand, they have a better chance of passing the test. This is a way to build familiarity with the area and eliminate unknowns before the test. This increases comfortability and predictability—things that not only make the road test more passable, but also less scary. With less fear and anxiety, one can be more confident. The importance of confidence going into these tests cannot be overstated, and for many, confidence comes from repeated success. For autistic drivers especially, turning driving on those roads into something that feels routine can be an extremely effective strategy for passing the road test.

Check out YouTube videos

For those who are visual learners, it helps to watch videos about the road tests in your state. Back when I was practicing for my road test, I came across a video that showed the entire road test for a DMV near where I lived. Watching this video was incredibly helpful because it laid out many of the things the driving instructor might request during the road test, such as certain kinds of turns. This helped take away some of the anxiety, and I could even review it multiple times to really get a feel for it. I found another video that went over the points system they used for the test. This helped me get an even better idea of what to prepare for and focus on. The videos helped set me up for success by not only making me fundamentally more prepared for the road tests but by making me feel that way too.

Schedule a mockup test

Many driving schools offer mockup road tests to drivers who are preparing to take their official road test. This is an invaluable resource and a great way to obtain final pointers before taking an official road test. Mockup tests seek to cover the same material that is on official road tests and serve as a great review of one’s driving ability. They touch on general parking, speed management, turning, traffic signs, and traffic flow. If a driver you know needs some direction on where to focus before their official road test, a mockup test allows them to evaluate what they are doing well and what areas to work on. This option also helps take some anxiety away as it allows the driver to get a feel for the road test environment. Mockup road tests are a resource often overlooked, but they can be extremely beneficial.

Look into alternative locations for road tests

While the DMV remains the primary location for road tests, some driving schools may offer testing at their location as well. In Connecticut, there are a few driving schools that have the option of completing the official road test at their location instead of a DMV. This could be a good alternative for those who have anxiety that stems from the DMV environment specifically. Taking a road test at a driving school can be particularly valuable because the driver can take their test in an area they’re already familiar with. This also allows the driver to potentially work with someone they already know from the school, which can reduce anxiety and create a more understanding and supportive environment. A driver often benefits greatly from taking a road test with the same people they learned to drive from. These are things that can help create confidence and comfortability within a driver before they take the road test, and with autistic drivers, this is especially vital to success. With that said, make sure to research the regulations on this option in your area because there may be some limitations. In my area, there is an age limit to that option as it is only for those under the age of 21. Unfortunately, I was stuck using the DMV for my testing because of my age. Nonetheless, this is an option and a resource I recommend every driver consider because of how helpful it can be.

Have anxiety coping strategies ready

Regardless of where a driver ends up taking their official road test, having anxiety coping strategies in place beforehand is crucial. Being able to calm oneself before the road test can be the key to passing it. I still remember everything from my road test, especially sitting nervously and waiting to be called. But I knew I did everything I needed to before my test, and I believed in myself. I had some anxiety present because this was the “do or die” point of the driver’s test, but not more than I could handle. I was close to graduating from my community college at the time and I needed the license to make full use of my employment opportunities. I took the chance to take some deep breaths and think about other times I have triumphed over the challenges in my path. I went through the checklists in my head of the preparation I had done to remind myself I really was prepared. I worked to stay focused on the test and did what I had to do to keep my anxiety to a minimum. In the end, those anxiety coping strategies made the entire experience much more bearable. They might have even made the difference between passing and failing. Passing the road test as an autistic driver can be very difficult. It is a major milestone and different people reach it at their own pace. But by approaching it with effective strategizing and planning, every driver can overcome challenges once thought too difficult. No single strategy is going to make the road test passable, but by integrating the tips above and thinking outside the box, an autistic driver can create their own unique path to success! It is all about understanding the services and resources at one’s disposal and the services and resources that work best for oneself. This starts with knowing what’s out there, and I hope this list of tips can help autistic drivers begin building their own paths to success on the road test.

If you would like help on your own driving journey, we would love to chat! At Planning Across the Spectrum, we are available to help you make the best individualized choices for you. We believe driving and transportation is an important factor in allowing individuals to live their lives freely. Our mission is to help everyone live as independently and financially free as they want. The ability to get certain jobs, go see friends, and provide an easy method of transportation for oneself and others when needed is invaluable. We pride ourselves on understanding the difficulties and solutions of driving as an autistic person firsthand. We bring the understanding and solution-based approach laid out in this article to everything we do, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Andrew Arboe is the Director of Community Outreach of Planning Across the Spectrum. He reaches out to various autism/ disability/neurodiversity organizations to start collaborations on empowering the community. Collaborations could be setting up speaking engagements, being involved in conferences, and connecting them to Planning Across the Spectrum’s other services. His other work includes managing the free-to-use national calendar and writing blog posts on various autism topics.

Website: https://planningacrossthespectrum.com/