P A R E N T   T O   P A R E N T

FASD and Driver's Licenses

Having FASD should not necessarily preclude having a driver's license. You have to be the judge of your child's abilities in this area. These young people should have access to the best driving courses we can find. Rather than get into discussion with the child about their abilities, it is better to seek out some professional organization that teaches driver training with a large dose of schoolwork preparation, such as Young Drivers. They spend some hours in the classroom and the students have to pass this part before getting into the training cars. Any problems that surface then allow the parents to be supportive of their child without being drawn into the argument that the parents are denying the child. And just because they have the license, doesn't mean we have to let them have the keys to the car....

Questions to ponder . . . there are no easy answers

Check with a vision therapist. Can the FASD individual process what she/he is seeing fast enough to react when driving. 

Can the individual anticipate what will happen next. How will the person react on ice? A sharp curve? A dog or person on the road?

Has the FASD individual shown responsibility driving other vehicles: bicycle, snowmobile, tractor, lawn mower or boat?

How easy is it to access public transportation. Is a handicap van available in your area?

The individual may be able to negotiate the streets, but will having the car gave them too many opportunities to get into trouble. (One girl sent to the store for bread managed to stop by the parking lot of the local high school and get bred on the way home from buying bread. Such is the life of FASD.)

A Note from Stephen (adult with FASD)

I have driven in my past (barely passing the written test and also the driving test), parallel parking being very hard for me. I always was so nervous behind the wheel and only felt somewhat relaxed driving by myself. I got in some accidents all my fault, I had a accident where I didn't know how I hit a moving car thought I jumped the curb. Another time I was driving and my mother was in the front seat with me and we came to a stop sign (I always have a hard time judging when to go) anyway I began to go when something scared me and I just about make a U-Turn and hit a parked car in the parking lot of a motel by the stop sign. I again had no clue to how this happened. I have chosen not to drive, I don't focus enough to be behind the wheel of a car, I find myself a FASD-Adult comfortable wit this decision. I guess all FASD'ers are different but I believe we have the some lack of certain skills, one of them being concentration due to the alcohol brain damage. Concentration being vital while driving a car, Paul I don't know how you would deal with this except share my experience with your family. God was with me, I could have killed someone this I could not live with. I will be more then willing to talk to anybody's FASD'er (FASD'er to FASD'er) ! Love all Of You!