Special Needs Dad Going Into Trucking

Hello everyone, great forum!

I have a question about starting my professional driving career.

I would like to get my CDL and start driving in the very near future. I’m in my mid 40s and would be reentering the workforce after a 10 year break.

I come from a corporate background. I was a global marketing director in my late 20s and became the director of a public equity group in my 30s. When my son was born he was diagnosed on the autistic spectrum with sensory processing disorder, ADHD and emotional disability. I walked away from my career to look after his care and development. It’s been a long 10 years but I wouldn’t change a thing and he’s now doing well and is in mainstream education.

My question is; Will my time as a full time parent/caregiver (10 years off) go against me obtaining employment in the trucking industry? I’m done with corporate life and have always wanted to be a truck driver.

Thanks for any feedback you can provide!

Hello everyone, great forum!

I have a question about starting my professional driving career.

I would like to get my CDL and start driving in the very near future. I’m in my mid 40s and would be reentering the workforce after a 10 year break.

I come from a corporate background. I was a global marketing director in my late 20s and became the director of a public equity group in my 30s. When my son was born he was diagnosed on the autistic spectrum with sensory processing disorder, ADHD and emotional disability. I walked away from my career to look after his care and development. It’s been a long 10 years but I wouldn’t change a thing and he’s now doing well and is in mainstream education.

My question is; Will my time as a full time parent/caregiver (10 years off) go against me obtaining employment in the trucking industry? I’m done with corporate life and have always wanted to be a truck driver.

Thanks for any feedback you can provide!

Howdy, Gaz !!

Welcome to Trucking Truth, first of all.

To answer your question, many before you have been in similar situations. A few things:

1.) Did you take any classes/schooling for possibly an STNA? Those papers would help.

2.) Can you obtain letters, possibly from HIS educators/doctors, preferably notarized, summing up your position in his life, as his main caregiver/paraeducator?

3.) Letters from the community/churches, et al... would also help.

4.) Any letter would be better notaarized, if possible.

5.) If your son drew any kind of SSDI, that proof would help, as well.

The above is all just IMHO, hope others will chime in also. Best of luck!

Here's some good reads,for starting in this industry, as well:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Stop back soon;

~ Anne ~

Apply to companies and see what they say. Like Anne suggested be ready with notarized letters explaining what you were doing.

My husband was traumatic brain injured for 18 years and I took care of him that entire time. When I started driving I just needed 3 years of work verification. Workman's comp paid me the last 6 years of his life to take care of him. So I just got the letter (on Montana State Fund's letterhead) authorizing the domicillary care and gave it to my first employer and that was all that I needed.

As those above said, just a couple letters either from his doctors or your pastor or somebody who knows what you have done for your son, get it notarized and you'll be okay. Laura

Anne: Thank you for the links. I will certainly read through them this weekend. Yes, I’ve got plenty of doctors, therapists, and educators that could provide references for me. Plus, community members and personal references. I will look into getting them gathered and notarized. I have never claimed any type of SSDI benefit for my son as yet though.

Bob: Thanks, I’ll get to work gathering references.

Laura: Thanks for the detailed reply and I’m sorry for your loss. You made me feel a lot better about getting over this barrier coming from someone that has faced this themself. Appreciate it.

I don’t pretend to know the answer to your question, but you sir have my respect for what you’ve done as a father.

Welcome to TT:

Wow, you sound like me a few years ago. I came from a similar situation. I have a teen ASD daughter. I, Also, was the primary caregiver for 10 years. Before that, I was in Accounts Payable for a North American Distributor of Postal Equipment and Software support Company.

Anne is right about what worked in my situation. I applied at Swift Transportation and was accepted in their training program. I had letters from my daughter's support teachers, Girl Scout Troop leader, and volunteer work.

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend Swift's academy because COVID. This is when schools were on and off about in person and online learning. I did get my CDL B last year and have been driving Buses. Though, I plan go after my A in 2023.

Anne: Thank you for the links. I will certainly read through them this weekend. Yes, I’ve got plenty of doctors, therapists, and educators that could provide references for me. Plus, community members and personal references. I will look into getting them gathered and notarized. I have never claimed any type of SSDI benefit for my son as yet though.

Bob: Thanks, I’ll get to work gathering references.

Laura: Thanks for the detailed reply and I’m sorry for your loss. You made me feel a lot better about getting over this barrier coming from someone that has faced this themself. Appreciate it.

Thank you BK, I very much appreciate that.

I don’t pretend to know the answer to your question, but you sir have my respect for what you’ve done as a father.

Thanks Graybeard. It appears that formal references are the key. I’m glad you were able to get your license as well as take care of your daughter. Kudos to you. Being a special needs parent isn’t easy but it’s made everything else in my life easy work in comparison. Best of luck to you.

Welcome to TT:

Wow, you sound like me a few years ago. I came from a similar situation. I have a teen ASD daughter. I, Also, was the primary caregiver for 10 years. Before that, I was in Accounts Payable for a North American Distributor of Postal Equipment and Software support Company.

Anne is right about what worked in my situation. I applied at Swift Transportation and was accepted in their training program. I had letters from my daughter's support teachers, Girl Scout Troop leader, and volunteer work.

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend Swift's academy because COVID. This is when schools were on and off about in person and online learning. I did get my CDL B last year and have been driving Buses. Though, I plan go after my A in 2023.

Anne: Thank you for the links. I will certainly read through them this weekend. Yes, I’ve got plenty of doctors, therapists, and educators that could provide references for me. Plus, community members and personal references. I will look into getting them gathered and notarized. I have never claimed any type of SSDI benefit for my son as yet though.

Bob: Thanks, I’ll get to work gathering references.

Laura: Thanks for the detailed reply and I’m sorry for your loss. You made me feel a lot better about getting over this barrier coming from someone that has faced this themself. Appreciate it.