Chapter 4 is the continuation of my blogged book, Behind the Wheel with Autism: How to Remove Barriers to Driving for Autistic Teens and Adults, and we’re going to explore every sensory aspect of driving that I can think of. We’re building this book together, blog post by blog post!
A moving car can be a demanding sensory environment, and we’re going to look into why that is and what to do about it. (If it seems like I’m forgetting something, shoot me a message at loveautismhealth@gmail.com and we’ll add it in!)
Before we start, I’m curious: how does driving feel to you?
- Do you love driving or hate it?
- Is it energizing?
- Is it calming because it’s structured and rule-based?
- Or does driving seem like a job — a demanding, draining job you have to psyche yourself up for even on good days?
If you’re autistic, your brain may have a harder time filtering out sensory information that other people automatically tune out, so more sounds, sights, and sensations compete for your attention. We’ll discuss how this sensory input might be overwhelming at times, but also how it might be an advantage.
The same sensory system that can make driving feel more demanding may also help you notice details that other drivers overlook. Many autistic drivers report spotting hazards sooner, detecting changes in how their vehicle feels, or staying aware of their surroundings. These strengths don’t eliminate the challenges of sensory overload, but they can become valuable assets when paired with good driving habits and strategies to manage sensory load.
Join me as we go through this systematically over the next eight to ten posts. We’ll look at what a car actually does to a sensitive nervous system, sense by sense. I’ll pick apart what the research says, what other autistic drivers report, and what actually helps. Specific, evidence-based strategies built around the real sensory experience of driving with an autistic nervous system.
See you there!
Next in this series: Inside the Car: Understanding the Sensory Experience of Driving