B2-B: Driving and Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have known difficulties with sensory, motor, social-emotional, and cognitive perceptual skills which make it difficult for them to learn to drive when compared with neurotypical teens. Two-thirds of 15- to 18-year-old autistic adolescents without an intellectual disability are currently driving or planning to drive and one in three will get licensed by age 21. Teens with ASD may receive assistance in their individualized education plan (IEP) for the written test preparation, but there are few resources in the traditional system which can provide for their unique needs for the behind-the-wheel training. This presentation will describe how a specialized training program can help teens transition to parent-supervised driving and gradual transition to independent driving.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Participants will learn about the unique differences in driving capacity for typical versus neuroatypical teens.

2. Participants will learn about the types of activities that can be addressed to facilitate pre-driving skills.

3. Participants will learn about funding options and referral to driving specialists.

Speakers