Drivers license laws in the U.S. typically allow teens to obtain a learner’s permit by the age of 16 and an unrestricted license to drive by the time they turn 18. However, for teens who struggle with autism, it is not so simple.
Individuals with autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are more likely to experience difficulties with social interaction, communication, “highly focused interests and/or repetitive activities,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As the number of people diagnosed with autism grows, more research is being conducted to evaluate driving trends within the autistic community. On average, adults with autism earn their drivers’ licenses at later ages, drive less frequently and drive with more restrictions. Most autistic drivers’ restrictions are self-imposed limits and include not driving after dark and not driving on highways.
A new study shows that only one out of every three autistic teens are actually eligible to apply for a driver’s license. However, according to Allison Curry, a senior scientist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, little is known about the percentage of autistic teens who obtain driver’s licenses.
Curry recently led a study which found that even though a significant number of individuals with ASD have drivers’ licenses, only 1 in 3 teens with ASD but no intellectual disability will actually get a license. Research has not been able to prove why this may be. Still, the benefits gained by autistic teens who pursue licenses and make an effort to drive themselves around are important. Licensure increases their mobility and independence, and it helps to contribute to positive changes in their education, social interaction and employment opportunities.
Although the rate of autistic teens who get learning permits and/or drivers licenses is low, many autistic individuals do manage to get their driving credentials by the time they turn 21. Studies show that 90 percent of autistic teens and adults who apply for a driver’s license get one successfully.