 Specialised Driving Lessons for ASDby Seana Smith on Tuesday, April 20th, 2010It just so happened that Tom had been saying to me recently: “I can’t wait until I can learn to drive, Mum.” And I had been thinking: ”Whaaat!!??***” Panic !! Tom is only 13 years old, but time is speeding by and he is getting bigger and bigger just as fast. He goes to mainstream high school and he reckons he’s a pretty mainstream kind of guy. Tom loves watching Top Gear, so why wouldn’t he expect that he’ll be able to learn to drive at 16 or 17? Only…. his reactions really can be quite slow, he has a major language disorder and studying isn’t his thing, reading the road rules and understanding them will be a challenge.. and… and…. it’s very complicated. But it’s also simple in a way. Tom goes to mainstream school but he gets extra help. Tom will want to learn to drive. He’ll need extra help. And again I find myself so, so grateful to the families and professionals who are pushing things forward for our kids. Just as Tom was asking about learning to drive, I was sent an email mentioning: And then another email with a link to an ABC report on the service this unit is offering for learner drivers with Aspergers. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2010/s2857542.htm Great… I think I should book him in now. Actually, that’s not really such a joke…. you know how long waiting lists can be. As with many things, I will try to delay Tom getting started with driving until he is older than his peers, but it’s marvellous to know that there may be some methods of driving instruction well suited to him. And if this is happening in Sydney, then hopefully it will be too all over the country. In time. Ah we parents need such patience alongside our pushiness, don’t we?
Leave a Reply |
