teewoyonesevenfoyve Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Hi everyone, As title really, i'm diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (an Autistic Spectrum disorder) and I like the idea of having a go at trials riding, I have a road licence already but there are too many cars for my liking! I've tried the ACU and their advice was to submit an application and see what happens. Does anyone reading this have or know someone on the Autistic spectrum who competes regularly? If so i'd be interested to hear how the licence application process worked out for them. Having not ridden bikes for a year or two my 1st port of call would probably be one of the many trials schools around the country to try it for a day and see if I enjoy it but these can be fairly expensive so it would be good to know if it's possible to eventually compete at a local club before making any kind of commitment. Thanks, hope someone can help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slik Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Hello , i dont really know about competinions license , i know about Aspergers syndrome ( speech and language pathologist and therapist ) . If you have a road licence , i cant think why cant you joint a competition . I think that it would be better for you to go to a trials school first or find some people to ride with them , before you go to a competition . Good luck , Stathis 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan williams Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 I don't know about the ACU license but trials people are friendly as a rule and will take the time needed for a newby to get acclimated. You could go to a local event and just spectate just to get a feel for what's involved and what the social dynamic is. It really is low pressure compared to other competitions. Once you're in the section it's just you and the bike and the rocks so hyper focus might be a bonus. It's good exercise mentally and physically. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gasserguy Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 AMCA trials don't need a licence but don't think your have a problem getting an ACU one. Fill out the form or online and pay your £10.00. They will always return it if refused. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petert Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 I believe there is an Autistic chap that ride South Midland centre events. He posts on Facebook, but can't for the life of me remember his name. I will try to find out for you. What part of the country are you located? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petert Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Just found him, David Burk. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stpauls Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 (edited) Hi I am a primary school teacher. I have taught many children over the years who are on the Autistic Spectrum. The Autistic Spectrum covers a very wide range of different conditions, some of which are barely noticeable, to others which are severely disabling and require full-time, one to one support in the classroom (a teaching assistant). Providing that a lack of self control, or being unable to recognise, or act appropriately in a risky or dangerous situation, or, being unable to follow instructions is not part of that individual's condition, then I don't see any reason at all why a person - child or adult, who is on the Autistic Spectrum, should not either ride a trials bike, or take part in trials competitions. Tony Edited July 8, 2015 by stpauls 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantic305 Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Hi, I'll ask the mrs she works for autism hampshire. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teewoyonesevenfoyve Posted July 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Thanks for all your replies to this and my other thread guys, all very helpful :-) I'm in Poole/Wimborne, i've been on Waterside MCC's website today and they've got an event on tomorrow night so I might pop down for a look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoodie2 Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Having known many people with asd I'd say there's absolutely no reason why you should or would be denied a lcence to ride trials. Perfectly suitable sport for you and I'd say go for it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjc Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 (edited) I've just joined the site specifically to answer this question. I am on the Asperger's spectrum and it's a non event. There are no boxes to tick for it. If you were refused a license, it is because you'd need to send a separate letter to basically say 'you didn't ask for it on the forms, but I'd like to point out things you don't know about me, to see if it's an issue, it isn't, but I'm going out of my way to persuade you it is.' It would be no issue, even if you volunteered this information that no one is asking for. You'd have to work hard and be very persuasive to MAKE it an issue? I have over 300 trials trophies and competed, many moons ago, at National level - winning some. It's a non issue. You're analytical/logical side will serve you well. If you have a deficit on the social side, really, many have worse deficits on the social side in trials and they are not even on the Asperger's spectrum. I've met many. Forget about it. No one asks, no one cares, it's not a detrimental thing, it isn't checked, it can't be refused, it isn't identified, it doesn't exist as a barrier to entry. Really, forget about it. Asperger's isn't a disease, it's not a medical problem, it's not a medical issue, it's a condition. You can answer all of the questions truthfully without breaching guidelines. It's only if you get overzealous and you yourself classify it as something that it isn't in the interests of being over honest. You're not being deceptive, not once. But to point this out, it's like filling in 'receding hairline' against 'Medical Conditions,' It's NOT a medical condition. It's who you are with no disease, no impediment, no detriment to safety, no recent condition, no detriment to performance, no inherited condition. Finally, you already have a road license, which requires a greater degree of disclosure. Bear in mind that many people with Asperger's can't even ride a push bike. If you have been diagnosed as Asperger's then you are clearly on the lowest end of the spectrum. This is awesome. It usually means you get the advantages of Asperger's in the way your mind works and very few of the social inadequacies. If I could, I would recommend this for anyone, I really would, it's fantastic if that's where you are on the spectrum. You have a road license? Trials is a HUGE step down in legal requirements compared to a road license. You're overqualified already. Asperger's is NOT a thing that has any medical negative and does NOT qualify against their questions unless you make it so. You don't need to mention it, not because of honesty, but because it doesn't warrant a mention and it's irrelevant as an answer to the questions asked of you. Edited July 9, 2015 by pjc 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan williams Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 Yeah so in summary, welcome to the sport. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantic305 Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 Hi mate, I haven,t made tonight's trial but I will be at waterside trial on Sunday so hope you could make that one as well , I.ll be in a sprinter van with a repsol montesa, regards steve 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teewoyonesevenfoyve Posted July 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Hi mate, I haven,t made tonight's trial but I will be at waterside trial on Sunday so hope you could make that one as well , I.ll be in a sprinter van with a repsol montesa, regards steve I was thinking of going on Sunday so I might see you, Thanks again :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totalshell Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 answer the questions on the application form.. only answer the questions on the form..send it off.. they ll eeither accept or refuse it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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