As a parent you look forward to the day you son or daughter gets their driver’s license as well as dream of the ability to get them a car.As a single mom you realize the 2nd half of that dream may not really happen. Then your child is diagnosed with autism and you think neither of those dreams will happen. Well… I am here to tell you… DO NOT stop dreaming… Kids with autism tend to have their own timelines, and as much as we’d like, they don’t always match up with ours. But, eventually, some dreams do come true,Matthew received his driver’s license last month at the age of 23.
A driver’s license is every teen’s rite of passage, a license to freedom and independence, and I am so proud of him for not giving upon this milestone. He originally tried this at 16 and at that time it didn’t happen, earlier this year he told me he wanted to try again, I was behind him 100%. This time we investigated what supports are in the community to help him achieve this milestone. We found Drivers Education at Johnson County Community College and found that once he passed the class he would receive what is called a “golden ticket” that would help him bypass the driving portion of the test at the DMV. I remember the anxiety I had at 16 having to take this, thinking of Matthew having to I just couldn’t see it happening, so I was very optimistic knowing the“golden ticket” would let him walk right into the DMV and out with a license in hand.
Over the summer, while all this was going on I decided it was time for me to move to my next car as I had been wanting to get back to an SUV for years, I knew I had the opportunity to trade in my old car but thought ahead (for once) knowing they wouldn’t give me much for my trade-in so I decided I would keep the car and take this opportunity to make the 2nd half of my original dream come true… today was that day!!
So here he is in all his triumphant glory… driver’s license in one hand car keys in the other… and now me having that regular mom experience moment who is like all others… nervous about their “baby” taking on the road with their new-found independence and grown up milestone!! Don’t give up, some dreams do come true! #AutismAcceptance
