Would you like to take part in the follow up to BBC3 Documentary - The Autistic Me?

[Gareth Roberts]

My name is Jenny Popplewell, I work for a television production company called Firecracker Films. I developed and worked on the BBC documentary 'The Autistic Me'. It rated very well and received excellent reviews. We are currently making the follow up film. We believe it was so successful because we were able to handle the subject with sensitivity whilst informing the general public about this misunderstood condition.

We are creating another film with the same amount of insight and sensitivity. This documentary is about people with Autism learning to drive. Driving lessons are relatable and universally difficult for everyone. But for a person with Autism, being able to drive offers independence and freedom.

If you are about to start learning to drive, have had a few lessons or are ready to take your test please get in contact and tell us how you are finding the experience!

Thank you
Jenny
0207 349 3400

[jismith1989]

I'm looking forward to this; the last programme was great (especially considering the usual, crappy, tabloid-like shows on BBC Three, but that's another issue).

I won't volunteer myself to take part, however, because I'm not officially diagnosed and don't plan to return to driving lessons after discovering that I'm the personification of ineptitude as far as driving is concerned.

[vassilizenit]

Same as jismith in that I'm not officially dignosed & so won't volunteer.

But I passed my driving test 5 years ago now.

I was very lucky to have a good teacher.

My biggest advice for anyone learning to drive is that if you don't have a good working relationship with your instructor then change the instructor. It is their job to make you pass & you should know by the 3rd lesson if the relationship (instructor - learner) is going to work out.

Don't be discouraged..... I passed on my second attempt.... the first test I had an awful guy who made me really nervous. The second attempt the guy (different guy) was all smiles and supportive. Sometimes they might just get up in a bad mood!

I went with BSM who are quite expensive.... but then they did a good thorough job for me.

& to jismith... we're all inept when we first sit in a car.... it takes time, patience and practice. Even today, 5 years on... I'll still meet with an unfamiliar situation & will learn from the experience.

[Stephen]

I have on three occasions been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, however as it was a few years ago I took my driving test I too am not in a position to volunteer.

I totally agree with vassilizenit that one must have a good working relationship with ones instructor. My first driving lesson was with the same chap by brother had, we didn't get on at all, in fact he threw me out of the car 3/4 of the way through my first lesson as he was unable to understand my thought processes especially my interpreting his instructions literally.

I changed not just the instructor but the driving school. I only required the minimum of 6 lessons, plus one before the test. Out of the 6 people who took their driving test at the same test centre and at the same time I did, I was the only one to pass.

Before taking my test, while we were sitting in the car before starting the engine, I went through with the examiner how he was going to conduct the test and what words he was going to use for each section of the test so I would not misinterpret any thing he may instruct or panic at something I was not expecting.