Driver's Education

[Guest guest]

The law requires peple under the age of 18 to take drivers ed in order to

get a d.l at that age. After 18 you can learn how to drive anyway you want

so long as ayou pass the test.

YOU do not have to take drivers ed to graduate. IT IT NOT a requirement to

graduate. This is not an interpretation of the law. Thousands of

students graduate withouttaking drivers ed...not just students with

disabilities.

I do know some people who have used drivers ed and modified for a studnet

with dis. THe idea wasinclusion

learning safety in the streets, understaning the signs that sort of thing.

A family could use that same time to help a non-driving student learn how to

use public transit or safely walk to destinations.

Best of luck, Cindi

[Guest guest]

Hi -- My son took driver's ed, (he took it his senior year) and really wanted to drive. He brought home the book and we went over the material every night, I don't think too many modifications were made while he was in class. The behind the road was exciting, he took it once, did OK (I'm being nice) I asked the school if he could take it again, they said yes, but I'd have to pay for the class again. (I asked if I paid 3 X's the amt, could they take him out for 1.5 hours at a time?, they said NO, but if needed he could take it again.) When he went to take his permit test, I arranged to have the test read to him. (If you call ahead and make an appt, they can set this up) He passed his driver's test on the 1st time, but from beginning the process to the end it was about 1.5 years. He now drives to our house (4 miles away), the Jewel, my mom's -- but that's about it, which is fine. Kay Kayjhart40023us <Jhart40023@...> wrote: Hi,I have two teen-agers with Down syndrome. Is anyone familiar with the law regarding driver's education class being a requirement for graduation? This isn't about evaluation through rehab services but rather whether it is mandatory to complete the classroom portion of driver's ed in order to graduate.If so, does anyone have suggestions about modifications for this class?Thanks in advance for your

help!Jo-Ann

[Guest guest]

And ...our son has Down Syndrome, and we knew after a few attempts at

go-karting, while he is very enthusiastic, he was not going to drive. We

did not even want to give him the drivers ed study we did not want to let

him think this was going to be an option.We did not want to give him false

hope. His judgement and reflex are both way too slow.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

My son would love to drive but it could never happen. He can not even read well enought to read street signs. We tell him he is very lucky as he has his own driver, mom or dad.Cindi Swanson <cbswanson@...> wrote: And ...our son has Down Syndrome, and we knew after a few attempts at go-karting, while he is very enthusiastic, he was not going to drive. We did not even want to give him the drivers ed study we did not want to let him think this was going to be an option.We did not want to give him false

hope. His judgement and reflex are both way too slow.Cindi

[Guest guest]

It is not a mandate. My daughter graduated without taking the classroom. I think "legally" even blind students need to take this class, but most schools will let you opt out. Richterjhart40023us <Jhart40023@...> wrote: Hi,I have two teen-agers with Down syndrome. Is anyone familiar with the law regarding driver's education class being a requirement for graduation? This isn't about evaluation through rehab services but rather whether it is mandatory to

complete the classroom portion of driver's ed in order to graduate.If so, does anyone have suggestions about modifications for this class?Thanks in advance for your help!Jo-Ann

[Guest guest]

Jo-Ann,

We are in District 99 in Downers Grove. The classroom portion of

Driver's Ed is a graduation requirement, but reading the other posts,

it seems that this must be a decision made at the school district

level, and not mandated by the state. My son is in the Multi-Needs

program, and seeing the work that has come home, the curriculum is

definitely modified. While it is highly unlikely that my son will

ever drive or live independently, he is without a doubt learning the

basics of safety, roads signs, etc. Just this week his class visited

the DMV and had State ID's issued. (One less thing for me to do with

him!) While it certainly depends on each child and family's decision

about opting out of such a class, I can say with certainty that it is

a good choice for my son to be taking this course. Of course, the

downside is that we are voluntarily creating another backseat driver

in our family!

Donna

>

> Hi,

>

> I have two teen-agers with Down syndrome. Is anyone familiar with

the

> law regarding driver's education class being a requirement for

> graduation?

>

> This isn't about evaluation through rehab services but rather

whether

> it is mandatory to complete the classroom portion of driver's ed in

> order to graduate.

>

> If so, does anyone have suggestions about modifications for this

class?

>

> Thanks in advance for your help!

> Jo-Ann

>

[Guest guest]

My daughter's High School tried this and I told them basically to stuff it! I said she needed classes that would actually benefit her not waste her time and build false hopes.

Sherie Dvorak

[Guest guest]

Boy, this group is so informative. I have wondered if

my son with autism could ever learn to drive. He is

good with maps and knows when I am lost. I never

thought about state or education rules about driver's

ed though. Thanks for posting your question and to

all who responded. You are all better than the Who

Wants to be a Millionaire " lifelines " . You are all

real lifelines. Thanks for sharing (and caring).

Sherelle

[Guest guest]

My daughter, who has down syndrome, does not drive, but took the

classroom portion of drivers education twice. She never had a desire

to drive, but we wanted her to have the experience and allow her to

develop the confidence to try if shw wanted. Although she never did

drive, it was not wasted time. She learned the rules of the road and

has become an excellent back seat driver!!

And ...our son has

Down Syndrome, and we knew after a few attempts at

> go-karting, while he is very enthusiastic, he was not going to

drive. We

> did not even want to give him the drivers ed study we did not want

to let

> him think this was going to be an option.We did not want to give him

false

> hope. His judgement and reflex are both way too slow.

> Cindi

>

[Guest guest]

Sherelle:

I think we all benefit from everyone's experience and knowledge.

Thanks for your supportive words!

Co-moderator,

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Re:Driver's Education

Boy, this group is so informative. I have wondered ifmy son with autism could ever learn to drive. He isgood with maps and knows when I am lost. I neverthought about state or education rules about driver'sed though. Thanks for posting your question and toall who responded. You are all better than the WhoWants to be a Millionaire "lifelines". You are allreal lifelines. Thanks for sharing (and caring).Sherelle

[Guest guest]

did get instruction on safety in the community and does know several important sight words and signs. But he never had to take the classroom or driving portion as he can not read enough to get much out of it. He probably could have taken it if we wanted him too but I knew he will never drive and I think the time was better spent on community safety, walking, bus travel, signs, etc, Maybe that was used in place for Drivers Ed. It has been awhile as is almost 26 but everyone has to do what they think is best. ShirleyVicki Niswander <vniswander@...> wrote: My daughter, who has down syndrome, does not drive, but took the classroom portion of drivers education twice. She never had a desire to drive, but we wanted her to have the experience and allow her to develop the confidence to try if shw wanted. Although she never did drive, it was not wasted time. She learned the rules of the road and has become an excellent back seat driver!! And ...our son has Down Syndrome, and we knew after a few attempts at > go-karting,

while he is very enthusiastic, he was not going to drive. We > did not even want to give him the drivers ed study we did not want to let > him think this was going to be an option.We did not want to give him false > hope. His judgement and reflex are both way too slow.> Cindi>

[Guest guest]

Sherrie, I can understand how you feel. I admire you

for voicing it. There are a lot of people who can't

or don't drive. Besides, I think in this case this

means less worry for you. I would think that our

children might focus on the rules of the road and may

even learn them well but a lot of driving involves

watching other drivers and dealing with those

situtions. Out there on the road everyone is not

following the rules. It could be a lot to deal with.

Kudos for making the right choice for your family.

Sherelle