r/aspergirls • u/DoctorFoShizzle • 19h ago
Parenting/ND Parent Advice To Drive or Not to Drive?
My AUDHD daughter is 16. She is extremely intelligent, academically, but still lacks social maturity (severely awkward) and basic motor skills. I don't say this to demean her, just being real. I'm very similar. I am clumsy AF/AUDHD. She doesn't explore a social life and prefers being home. I have gently tried to nudge her into spending time with the small circle of friends she has made at a small school with others, mostly just like her. It was a dream to find a school that was suitable for her to be more social after years of trying.
I am seeking advice because we are at the age of driving. I feel her lack of motor skills and general approach/lack of knowledge to the outside world will make her a very nervous driver. She is often anxious and nervous. She rarely does walks on her own and has no general sense of direction currently. I wouldn't trust her to navigate to the store 2 blocks away on her own. It's not for lack of trying to get her out there. My son is the exact opposite and knows his way around the whole city. Anyway, my personal opinion is that she shouldn't yet drive, but I could be wrong.
With this community of likeminded/similar people, I'd like opinions. Could I just be overprotective and coddling, or do my concerns seem factually grounded? I do not want to hold her back but I also don't want her out there when she is not ready and potentially get into an accident. We do live in a large city with often heavy traffic.
Have you been in this situation as an AUDHD teenager or are a parent who has? Any advice/insight? Thank you in advance. This sub has been very helpful to read for many things. ❤️