Sensory disorder issues in learning to drive

My granddaughter is having trouble learning to drive. She has more trouble than average learning to make turns and other minor issues.




I have taken her on the road often, but her parents are convinced that she has "spacial problems." I don't believe them, but either they have messed her up psychologically or they're right because today she scraped my car on a metal fence going around a tight right turn.

What can I do to help? Does she have something wrong? The only other evidence of a problem is t hat she has difficulty learning advanced geometry. Her mother thinks this is evidence of her "disability" with spatial things.



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Feb 07, 2023
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starstarstarstar 		SPD and driving
by: Anonymous

I have never been diagnosed with SPD, but I have all the signs. I can't stand loud environments, tags on my clothing, tight fitting clothing, people making constant small noises in a quiet space.

I am in my 40's and don't drive. I've attempted to get my licence a few times, but although I can ace the written tests, I completely freeze up when I actually have to drive. When I was 18 I did driver training and had to drive around with an instructor. I was terrified the entire time - there was always too much to pay attention to and any mistake seemed like it could be fatal.

I have come to the point when I don't expect to ever drive - I can't seem to overcome these invisible barriers. I just tell people that I have a fear of driving - it doesn't make sense and no one seems to understand.

I never made the connection between SPD and my fear of driving - but maybe there is a real connection there?
Sep 02, 2018
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starstarstarstar 		SPD/SID driver
by: Jeani

My daughter is now 18 1/2. On her 15th bday she obtained her permit. She became comfortable driving in an empty parking lot, but 3 years later she still refuses to drive on the road because of the panic she gets. She has sensory integration disorder - was diagnosed ar 7 years old.

I don't know how to help her brain process all that is required in driving. I would love to find an OT to teach her, but haven't yet.
Apr 02, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		driving
by: Anonymous

my son has SPD and is learning to drive. he seems to be doing fine but I am very nervous about is he going to know how to react quickly in a driving situation. I don't want to put him at risk of killing himself or anybody else. I'm not sure what to do.

Can a person with SPD drive affectively?
Nov 01, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		learning to drive
by: Anonymous

My 21 year old grandson has had sensory problems all his life. He has been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome but some times I feel that if he didn't have the sensory issues he would be "normal". I am not sure at all that he has Aspergers, although he does have social issues.

When he turned 16, his father who has always denied that he had any problems at all, decided it was time for him to learn to drive. He absolutely hated it when his father first began taking him out to drive, but as time went by, it became easier for him. Today he tells me how much he enjoys driving and that he feels free for the first time in his life! He drives all over (at exactly the speed limit)!
Aug 18, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Special awareness
by: Alisa

The only thing that come to mind it the possibility of spatial awareness. Has she had her eye tested first of all. Then has she ever had problems with spatial awareness issues in the past. Was she clumsy as a toddler/child did she walk in to wall or poles ect. was she a messy eater because she seem to miss her mouth.

The idea that come to mind is and attention problem but if she has done well in school I don't think it would be a attention problem like ADD but its possible.

I very much doubt that her parents caused the problem.

Another idea is just anxiety maybe she just has a fear about turning corners or something. I have fear of driving and refuse to drive because my anxiety is too bad for me to concentrate on driving I panic and push the accelerator and not brake cause I become disorientated.
Aug 17, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		other signs?
by: Ericka Morgan

Hi,
First of all, sensory processing disorder is real, and for those who suffer from it it can be a really serious problem. Having said that, I would add that it is unusual for sensory symptoms to show up so late. Often, kids with SPD are picky eaters, or have trouble sleeping, or have difficulty with certain kinds of clothing.....did your granddaughter have any of these issues?

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