Researchers Will Use Study To Help Those With Autism Improve Driving Skills

Driving is a big step for all teens and young adults, but an even bigger step for those on the autism spectrum. Getting their driver's license is one of many choices individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) make as part of the transition to adulthood. By learning to drive, it can contribute to the development of that individual, but also enhance access to employment opportunities, social relationships and community activities.

Because of that, the University of Michigan has announced they are conducting a study to show how well people with ASD can detect road hazards. This is part of their plan to help young motorists in sharpening their driving skills.

University of Michigan Study

This study by the University of Michigan is the second phase of a project funded by Ford Motor Co. It teams the Ann Arbor university with a local driving school, according to Ventura County Star.

During the first phase of the study, researchers found that students with autism spectrum disorder detected fewer hazards than control participants during simulated drives. However, lead researcher Elise Hodges said some extra work behind the wheel did the trick, "Those folks that underwent training improved in two-thirds of hazards in the simulated drive.”

Phase 2

With phase two starting up, 23-year-old Tate Ellwood-Mielewski, who was diagnosed with ASD at age 3, is planning on getting back in the driver's seat. Tate said, “I do want to be able to drive ... and get places where I want to go.” Tate's mother, Debbie Mielewski, played a big part in pulling together the partners to make the study happen.

Debbie was concerned with how her son would fare in the future with no driver's license and his parents no longer around. She is a technical fellow of sustainability at Ford, so she approached her boss in 2018 "and just blurted out: 'Would you support a program to help autistic spectrum kids to learn how to drive?' and he immediately said 'Yes!'"

Ann Arbor Academy, a school for students with learning and social differences, hosted driving lessons. Hodges designed the simulated drives and oversaw the study. Ford footed the bill.

Goal of the Study

For this study, the goal, in part, was to provide an opportunity for those with ASD to improve their driving skills. Hodges said, "Many of them ... would like to drive, but getting from wanting to drive and being able to drive are two different things.”

The first phase of this study helped in determining that. In addition to detecting hazards, students with autism tended to slow down and "stop short" in front of stop signs, Ventura County Star reported. In phase two, the participants will take part in individualized driving sessions, which Hodges hopes will bear fruit.

Helping To Overcome Their Doubts

As phase two plays out, Mielewski believes programs like this will go a long way in helping those with autism overcome their doubts. She said, “If we can just free them to think that they can do anything, I really think they can. They need support. We should support them.”

While this study is being done in Michigan, Hodges is hoping similar programs start to appear elsewhere. She said, "In the best-case scenario, I would hope that parents would learn that their teens or young adults who have ASD actually may be able to drive successfully,. And there may be some tools out there that they may not have been aware of.”

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.