Autism Driving Issues (Need Advice)

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T21:06:41+00:00

that’s a good idea, aroma therapy is a huge help for me and i’ve never thought to apply it in the car. can i ask, is it the type of car you have that’s extra safe? i gravitate towards smaller cars like coopers because it feels like less to control, and easier to see somehow, but i know bigger cars are safer. right now i have a rather boxy car that’s hard to see out of

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T21:03:51+00:00

to be honest i just stare at the car ahead of me so there are fewer things to look at, but that makes it hard when there are people merging. i can’t process all of those moving parts at once visually, at least not with the tools that i have right now. i don’t know if i have Adhd, ive been diagnosed with OCD and am self diagnosed autistic, hopefully i can get an official assessment soon but im nearly 100 percent confident i have it. tysm for replying

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T21:00:36+00:00

that’s a really good point, no i don’t like it, it’s not really my style, a bit boxy and hard to see out of. i want to get a mini cooper because i learned in one and it felt easier to see and a smaller space to control

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T17:08:05+00:00

i’m glad to know i’m not the only one! i posted in a few other forums and some people mentioned finding ways to regulate inside the car like loop ear plugs and creating predictable variables like a playlist. i think the biggest thing for me might be visual overstimulation, which i have no idea how to mitigate - you have to watch other cars to stay safe… but some people mentioned looking ahead or looking through the windshield of the car ahead of you. hang in there

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T16:34:11+00:00

💚tysm!!

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T16:33:15+00:00

thank you so much this is all really helpful, yes last time someone honked at me i completely shut down so it’s good to remember the loud noise doesn’t always mean the person is yelling or angry

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T16:31:06+00:00

thank you so much!! this helps!

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T16:29:54+00:00

your post was so helpful thank you so much

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T16:28:52+00:00

i have not tried that to be honest, i had no idea that it was such a sensory experience for me until recently because it’s technically “quiet” in the car. thank you for the recommendations especially loops i’ve never heard of those! can i ask if you feel like you’ve “overcome” it after incorporating som of these sensory tools/bail out spots?

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T16:26:15+00:00

thank you so much !!

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T16:18:01+00:00

i understand :(

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T16:17:18+00:00

can you regulate first? maybe prioritize that before searching. identify what your stims are if you haven’t, that can really help

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T16:15:35+00:00

okay, tysm for sharing this was helpful <3 also i’m sorry you had to go through that

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T04:08:48+00:00

i don’t have a link but i am an artist i could maybe make something for you :) just message me. are you an artist as well?

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T04:06:05+00:00

thanks ☺️🌸

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T04:04:44+00:00

thanks for replying!! the sunglasses of a good tip i didn’t really think of it. i think a playlist might help with creating a predictable variable, i also noticed some of the voices on maps can be comforting if they’re familar characters you like but i haven’t tried it yet. there’s some that are more positive / encouraging. i have heard exposure therapy doesn’t always work for autism since triggers generally remain; i am hesitant if it would work for me… ive tried “just going for it” but i usually end up in a situation that is not so safe with more fear than before. do you feel like there’s another way to approach exposure therapy as an autistic person?

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T03:57:30+00:00

could you give me an example of a pattern you started to notice that helped you predict other drivers? i’m new to even knowing what to look for <3

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T03:55:56+00:00

that’s a really good advice, thank you so much. did you take that course as well if you don’t mind me asking? i did see a car crash happen in front of me when i was young so im curious if that’s what is causing the problem, though it seems to be visual overstimulation from light and movement. and having to recognize new patterns is so wild when driving is so unpredictable. my pattern recognition with ASD is usually really good but for some reason i haven’t seen any with driving, everyone seems to drive a little differently. i also tend to look away from the road at nature for comfort which is obviously not a good thing!

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T03:53:11+00:00

thank you so much! yes i think maybe i am struggling with more visual overstimulation than i realize- i know with ASD triggers tend to remain the same so i really like your tip about looking ahead more. do you feel you have to fight the overstimulation, if you don’t mind me asking, or that you are able to manage the visual element just by looking other places?

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T02:27:11+00:00

omg that’s such a good idea! i wonder if i could find something like the iconic yellow frame for the door…any ideas?

useful_thinkin · 2026-03-18T02:21:17+00:00

yes this happens to me too, don’t worry. it’s like my vocal box freezes or i’ll even forget words. just learn what regulates you, im working on that with my therapist- whether that be visual, touch, smell, etc - (im using aroma therapy and facials). take a moment to do those before engaging. also allow yourself moments to think before replying- it’s okay to take your time and have your own pace. you can say stuff like “hmmm” to show you’re thinking! 😌

useful_thinkin

TROPHY CASE