In two recently published studies, researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), in collaboration with researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, examined the ways in which families can support autistic adolescents as they learn to drive and the importance of establishing independent use of transportation as they transition into adulthood.
These studies are part of a body of research bringing together researchers from the Center for Injury Research and Prevention and the Center for Autism Research, drawing on their combined experience to understand the transportation needs of autistic adolescents. Prior studies have examined how individualized training, parental support and driving patterns contribute to safe driving. Other studies have found that, whether autistic adolescents decide to drive or not, being able to get where they want to go on their own improves employment opportunities as well as social, emotional and physical health.
In the first study, published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, researchers wanted to learn more about the perspectives of both autistic adolescents and their caregivers about the factors that promote independent driving.
The study found that caregivers viewed driving as a pathway toward independence. Many caregivers were responsible for transporting autistic adolescents, shaping their schedules to accommodate the busy schedules of adolescents. Caregivers also wanted their adolescents to be able to explore the world and do the things they want to do, such as pursuing employment, community activities or social interactions, without feeling constrained by asking for a ride. The adolescents surveyed recognized that achieving independence would benefit them and their caregivers.
Adolescents in the survey reported barriers to achieving independence with driving, such as anxiety, multitasking and sensory sensitivities. Structured instruction and adaptive strategies involving support from caregivers, professionals and peers were essential for helping adolescents overcome these barriers and getting their drivers’ licenses.
“The support of caregivers and the surrounding community is essential toward helping these adolescents overcome barriers and learn how to drive, and they recognize that the benefits extend not just to themselves but to their caregivers as well,” said lead study author Haley Bishop, PhD, a clinical research associate at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at CHOP. “However, there is limited availability of driving instructors who specialize in working with autistic adolescents, so there’s a need for better access to this specialized instruction.”
In the second study, published in the journal Autism, researchers wanted to examine whether a driver’s license led to an increased sense of independence as autistic adolescents transitioned into adulthood. Notably, travel patterns did not necessarily increase after getting a driver’s license. Further, nearly all autistic adolescents reported they were not traveling everywhere they wanted to go, and nearly 80% were interested in a form of transportation they did not currently use. Thus, there is a continued need to help autistic adolescents use more types of transportation independently, including driving, public transit and ride-sharing services.
“We found autistic teens and young adults who pursued a driver’s license were already traveling to more places before they got a license than those who did not pursue a driver’s license. Since their travel patterns didn’t change much after getting licensed, we think driving may reflect existing differences in independence and opportunity rather than creating these differences,” said study author Emma Sartin, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor of Health Policy and Organization at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health who began this research while she was a research scientist at CHOP. “As in the other recently published paper, those adolescents pursuing a driver’s license see the value in it to themselves and others.”
Sartin said that interest and motivation are big factors for pursuing a driver’s license among autistic adolescents, underscoring the need for broader support from caregivers and the community while making sure that the adolescents are making these decisions for themselves.
The first study was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01HD079398 and R01HD096221.
Bishop et al, “Driving Toward Independence: Perspectives From Autistic Adolescents and Their Families.” J Autism Dev Disord. Online October 24, 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-025-07097-z.
Sartin et al, “Short Report: Autistic Young Adults’ Routine Travel Pre- and Post-License.” Autism. Online November 30, 2025. DOI: 10.1177/13623613251394558.
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In two recently published studies, researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), in collaboration with researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, examined the ways in which families can support autistic adolescents as they learn to drive and the importance of establishing independent use of transportation as they transition into adulthood.
These studies are part of a body of research bringing together researchers from the Center for Injury Research and Prevention and the Center for Autism Research, drawing on their combined experience to understand the transportation needs of autistic adolescents. Prior studies have examined how individualized training, parental support and driving patterns contribute to safe driving. Other studies have found that, whether autistic adolescents decide to drive or not, being able to get where they want to go on their own improves employment opportunities as well as social, emotional and physical health.
In the first study, published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, researchers wanted to learn more about the perspectives of both autistic adolescents and their caregivers about the factors that promote independent driving.
The study found that caregivers viewed driving as a pathway toward independence. Many caregivers were responsible for transporting autistic adolescents, shaping their schedules to accommodate the busy schedules of adolescents. Caregivers also wanted their adolescents to be able to explore the world and do the things they want to do, such as pursuing employment, community activities or social interactions, without feeling constrained by asking for a ride. The adolescents surveyed recognized that achieving independence would benefit them and their caregivers.
Adolescents in the survey reported barriers to achieving independence with driving, such as anxiety, multitasking and sensory sensitivities. Structured instruction and adaptive strategies involving support from caregivers, professionals and peers were essential for helping adolescents overcome these barriers and getting their drivers’ licenses.
“The support of caregivers and the surrounding community is essential toward helping these adolescents overcome barriers and learn how to drive, and they recognize that the benefits extend not just to themselves but to their caregivers as well,” said lead study author Haley Bishop, PhD, a clinical research associate at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at CHOP. “However, there is limited availability of driving instructors who specialize in working with autistic adolescents, so there’s a need for better access to this specialized instruction.”
In the second study, published in the journal Autism, researchers wanted to examine whether a driver’s license led to an increased sense of independence as autistic adolescents transitioned into adulthood. Notably, travel patterns did not necessarily increase after getting a driver’s license. Further, nearly all autistic adolescents reported they were not traveling everywhere they wanted to go, and nearly 80% were interested in a form of transportation they did not currently use. Thus, there is a continued need to help autistic adolescents use more types of transportation independently, including driving, public transit and ride-sharing services.
“We found autistic teens and young adults who pursued a driver’s license were already traveling to more places before they got a license than those who did not pursue a driver’s license. Since their travel patterns didn’t change much after getting licensed, we think driving may reflect existing differences in independence and opportunity rather than creating these differences,” said study author Emma Sartin, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor of Health Policy and Organization at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health who began this research while she was a research scientist at CHOP. “As in the other recently published paper, those adolescents pursuing a driver’s license see the value in it to themselves and others.”
Sartin said that interest and motivation are big factors for pursuing a driver’s license among autistic adolescents, underscoring the need for broader support from caregivers and the community while making sure that the adolescents are making these decisions for themselves.
The first study was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01HD079398 and R01HD096221.
Bishop et al, “Driving Toward Independence: Perspectives From Autistic Adolescents and Their Families.” J Autism Dev Disord. Online October 24, 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-025-07097-z.
Sartin et al, “Short Report: Autistic Young Adults’ Routine Travel Pre- and Post-License.” Autism. Online November 30, 2025. DOI: 10.1177/13623613251394558.
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