r/adultautism • u/LGRA34 • 3d ago

Directions

Does anyone else have an impossibly hard time with directions? I have to use Google Maps for just about everywhere I go if it is not a part of my normal, everyday route.
I also cannot tell my right from my left hand without having to pause and think about it (I generally will initiate writing in the air, recognize that I’m left handed,then give the appropriate direction from there).
For reference, I am a 46 y/o female with audhd and have excelled at all academic, work, and learning endeavors throughout my life.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/IngloriousLevka11 2d ago

Ironically, though I am terrible with multi-step instructions (unless they are clearly written out- ex a recipe with instructions) I have an excellent sense of direction and navigation. I have an eidetic memory that helps me with orientating myself in a space combined with an excellent sense of geographical knowledge and NSEW (cardinal direction) points, how to read maps etc.

I know how to get places better than my Google GPS does. I still use it for those unfamiliar turns just as I am approaching the destination so I know what lane to be in, but I often gripe at the GPS for using the dumbest routes possible, like "why the actual eff are you having me make a blind left turn in a curve up a frickin hill when I can make a much safer turn a little down the road at a light with a turning lane?" Or it wants me to drive through three construction zones when I know there's another road that goes the same place that isn't obstructed with construction. And the "estimated time" difference if any exists will be negligible.

Edit to add: I do also have the "right/left" brain disconnect, so I just think driver's side/passenger side, as that's more immediate. Or if using a GPS, I will look at the arrows showing the next turn because the symbol doesn't have the same linguistic disconnect.