Like the states of Rhode Island and Vermont, I found less resources. However, New Hampshire has at least two noticeable autism resources. It makes the state better than others nearby, excluding Massachusetts. As always, let me know if I am missing any resources by the comments and I shall update this. Be sure to check the other pages of my website. Have a wonderful day! 


Driving Schools: 


Exeter Hospital’s DriveAbility 

Over at Exeter, this program covers both clinical and behind the wheel assessments. The program is also a commercial diving school in the state that serves drivers of all ages. Their staff consists of not just driving instructors, but also in OT. Their regular school information will be posted below, and their page also contains registration forms to sign up. 

 https://www.exeterhospital.com/Services/DriveAbility-Program/Driver-Education

 

Non-Driving Schools:  

 
Northeast Rehab 

Located in parts of Salem, Provides evaluations, education and training programs for not just the disability community, but the autism community as well. Clinical assessment covers the visual, cognitive, and gross motor skills needed to be able to react during driving. The behind the wheel sessions use their own training car to help new drivers ease into driving. Finally, they provide recommendations based on the driver’s performance. The website lists other NH resources along with the brochure that goes over their program more.  

Initiatives:

Medically Recognized Disorder Indication 

Within the website, there is a form where you can put in the autism indication into your ID card. 


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Like Rhode Island, there are few providers and schools that tackle driver lessons for the autism population. I was able to find a few thankfully. As always, feel free to provide suggestions in the comment section and I shall take a look at it.  

 

Driving Schools: 

Upper Valley Driving Academy 

On the page, it appears as an average driving school. What stood out in my research is that the owner, Richard Kearney is a member of the Assocation of Driver Rehab Specialists. Based on his profile, he provides basic rehab services with some assistive technology included. For those in Newbury, this may be worth a visit to see what they do. 



Non-Driving School Programs: 

 

The University of Vermont Medical Center’s Driver Rehab 

All of their clinicians are licensed OTs, and the on-road evaluation and training are done by certified driving rehab specialists who are instructors. Their downloadable PDFs for new drivers mention autism and how their program can help that population engage in driving. Other disabilities and conditions they tackle include learning disabilities, visual impairment, and brain injury to list some examples.  

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New Jersey is one of the most noted states for autism services and organizations. It is often noted for having the highest rates of autism in the state. From what I saw, there are more driver rehab programs in non-driving schools than actual driving schools. Still, those programs can still give you a good rundown of what to expect and they could connect you to other places. As I always say, giving it a try is better than not trying.  
 
05/29/2023 Update: Special thanks to Erin White for sending additional programs to me. Exchanging information like this will help more people have the freedom to choose. 


Driving Schools:

Shift Above 2 Driving Schools
They contain the usual driver education programs and specific programs like the nighttime lessons, refresher programs, and road prep lessons. While no driver rehab program exists within the school, their main page mention autism as a program that was developed locally in New Jersey. 

Compas Driving School
Along with their regular driver education classes, they have special needs programs for the autism, ADHD, and disability populations. Students will meet with an instructor with special needs experience and do ten hours of behind the wheel lessons to gauge students' abilities. 



Non-Driving School Programs: 
 

Hackensack Meridian Health 

They provide driver rehab training and services with certified specialists and branded by the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists. They do a 90-minute clinical evaluation of the physical and cognitive skills of the individual. They also provide an hour for both behind the wheel evaluation and training sessions individualized for your needs. Some examples that some training sessions cover making quick decisions and knowing how to use driving controls like gas and brake pedals. While autism is not included, the program can help those with both mental and physical disabilities.  
 

St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center 

For over 20 years, they have been providing clinical assessments and driver training services. All staff are OT professionals, and the program is approved by the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission. Clinical assessments include the use of stimulated brake response and other cognitive assessments. The behind the wheel assessments cover residential and highway driving to address driving behaviors. To enter this program, you need a valid permit or license, a physician's referral, and ability to get in and out of cars.  

 
St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center 

Located in Paterson, this program teaches individuals with disabilities to be safe and independent drivers in the community. Services include physical/visual assessments, cognitive perceptual assessment, behind the wheel evaluation, and recommendations. The most interesting service they have is a WT-960 TRAN-SIT Car Transfer Simulator, which is used for people to safely practice skills and environments.  
 
 JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Center

"Their testing process has 2 parts, one in-office 90-minute evaluation which includes vision,
cognition, visual-perception, physical movements, and reaction time.  The second part of the test is a 60
minute behind the wheel evaluation in their adapted car (clients must have a valid permit or license to
participate in this section of the program).  Typically, following the 90-minute test, they recommend
whether or not the client should proceed to pursuing a license or wait a few years.  The pre-driver
Evaluation costs $204, and the behind the wheel evaluation costs $216. Lessons are $166/hour.  They
require a prescription with a diagnosis & ICD 10 code stating Pre-driver evaluation, Behind the wheel
evaluation, and lessons PRN."
 
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
​
"Perform Pre-driver evaluations in a clinical setting. The evaluation includes an assessment of
physical abilities, vision, reaction time and perceptual-cognitive capacities. Their behind-the-wheel
evaluations are performed in a Kessler Institute vehicle that is adapted/modified to meet any special
requirements. Clients will drive in a variety of different traffic patterns according to their capabilities.
Clients must possess a valid driver’s license or permit to be eligible for behind-the wheel evaluation.
The evaluation will include recommendations for further training, vehicle modification and/or a referral
to the Division of Motor Vehicles."


Other: 
Rutgers Center for Advance Infrastructure and Transportation conducted several research reports on driving. Cecilia Feeley was one of the main authors of these reports and they can be found on the link below. 

Transportation Autism Project - Rutgers CAIT 


Laws:
New Jersey in the 2023 year has signed in the bill that allows people to put an autism designation on their license/ID card. 

People with autism can now have it noted on their driver’s license, thanks to N.J. law (msn.com)

Update 5/29/2023:
The bill was signed, and the law will take into effect on December 2024. 
People with autism can now have it noted on their driver’s license, thanks to N.J. law (msn.com)


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Rhode Island, the state between Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. I used to think Connecticut had the least amount of driving resources, but in my research on Rhode Island. I was surprised to find that this state had very little driving resources. This was all that I could find for general resources. If I missed anything, do comment below and I shall update.  

4/25/2023 Update: Special thanks to the Rhode Island Special Needs Parents for suggesting some additional resources to this page. 
​11/13/2023 Update: Added a therapy service I met in Connecticut that takes Rhode Island clients. 

Driving Schools:

Quahog Driving School

Located in East Providence, I was told that they have an instructor with various experiences. Their main contact is their phone number: (401) 777-7888


Non-Driving Schools: 

Lifespan's Outpatient Rehabilitation Services

Located in Rhode Island provides a driver evaluation to help individuals assess their driving abilities. Their pre-driving test contains two-hour evaluations of physical, perceptual, and visual skills to get results. Said results will reveal a recommendation to both the interested driver and physician about driving. Requirements include a referral from a physician, an eye examination, and a completed in-take form of Lifespan.  

State of Rhode Island 

In their vocational Rehab Program, they provide driving lessons as it falls under services that can help someone obtain employment. Note that with any state program, this has a long wait list in general.

Therapeutic Driving with Occupational Therapy

​Therapeutic Driving with Occupational Therapy, LLC is owned and operated by an occupational therapist who is a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist.   Services are most often provided at the client's home.  Commitment to individualized care is part of the planning for every client.  The process begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment and if appropriate continues with a behind the wheel evaluation.   All services are individualized to meet the needs of the client.
​

Therapy Services:

4D Vision Gym:
Located in Cheshire Connecticut, but they do take in Rhode Island clients.  This provider does vision therapy services and a 4D Built to Drive where they will send you everything to you in order to train your brain on using your eyes. I get to try out a demo of this on November 12th, 2023, and it was fascinating to get insights on my own perception intake. While this can be an expensive program, they do offer free consultations to people. 


Laws:

By March 2023, there is a bill that includes an autism logo on individual licenses, so police officers know how to interact ahead of time. Autistic drivers are not required to include this in their license, meaning it is optional if it passes. No word if it current passes or not.

More information about this bill. 

​
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Here is the state of Massachusetts, home of many disability organizations like HMEA, AANE, and Pathlight/Autism Connections. Unlike Connecticut, this state offers more driving schools and more providers with assessments. Like any state, these resources may be far or close to you. Up to you on what resource suits you the best. Do let me know in the comments section if there is a resource that should be added. 
 
​*July 30th Update: Added a new service here* 
​*April 21st Update: Added the Blue Envelope Program*
​*May 5th Update: Addedthe Dave Driving School*
​*October 2024 Update: Added Drive Rx and took out Traid Driving Academy*



Driving Schools:

CMSC Driving School 

Located in Central Massachusetts, they have adaptive services for those with physical and mental disabilities/conditions. They have over 30 years of experience working with unconventional students and part of numerous public schools in the state. The first step for this program is the pre-driving assessment that covers an individual’s driving abilities. The second step is the driving assessment where a certified driver rehab specialist conducts an evaluation inside a car. Finally, an adaptive driving strategy is created after both assessments are completed.  
If you want to check in before committing, they offer a free consultation to help you out.  
 
 
Hoffman Auto School 

Located in Merrimac, they are noted for their interest in helping autistic students learn driving skills. I met with the owner during a resource fair, hosted by Northeast Arc last October. They showed a strong willingness to engage with this population that they are added to this list. Another noteworthy aspect is that they offer a Kick Start course that helps those with anxiety on the wheel. 
 
DriveRx, LLC
Originally with Triad Driving Academy, DriveRx is an adaptive program tackles both clinical and behind the wheel assessments with an OT driver rehab specialist. They also do referrals and recommendations to help those go forward in their transportation journalizes. Current populations they tackle are autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and older drivers. 


 
Grand Prix Driving School  

Over at Cape Cod, they work with the learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and other disability populations on driving lessons. They offer in classroom accommodation based on students’ very own IEP and 504 plans.   They collaborate with Cape Abilities, LIFE program, and the Mass Rehab Commission to make sure students’ needs are met. 


Dave's Driving School, Inc.

Located over at Pittsfield, they tend to get clients from the College Internship Inc program in Lee. 

 

Non-Driving Programs: 
 
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital 

In their Spaulding Outpatient Center Braintree branch, they offer a driver rehab program, which consists of assessments. OTs in their team conduct clinical and vehicle assessments to help individuals emulate their overall driving ability.  
 
 
Emerson Health 

This medical center provides driver assessments with an OT/rehab specialist. One noteworthy note is that they partnered with CMSC Driving School. 
 

 
HMEA’s Autism Resource Central 

Within their ASD Adult Training Series, they offer a Thinking about Driving Series. General topics touch on driver readiness and anxiety management. They have a separate training on taking public transport for those pursuing that option. 


Therapeutic Driving with Occupational Therapy

​Therapeutic Driving with Occupational Therapy, LLC is owned and operated by an occupational therapist who is a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist.   Services are most often provided at the client's home.  Commitment to individualized care is part of the planning for every client.  The process begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment and if appropriate continues with a behind the wheel evaluation.   All services are individualized to meet the needs of the client.

Southeast Center for Independent Living, Inc.

Located in the southeastern of Massachusetts, SCIL offers driver education learner's permit classes for those wanting to obtain their license. 


Blue Envelope Program
Similar to Connecticut's program, this program is an envelope that contains general information and guidelines about autism and what police officers can do in a situation where they are interacting with autistic individuals. Drivers can put their driving documents like registration and license incase if they are pulled over. This program was created by a partnership with Arc of Massachusetts, Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, and Massachusetts State Police.
 

Assistive Tech: 
Automotive Innovations offers assistive technology and specialized vans. 
Adaptive Dealer - Automotive Innovations 


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As described in the main blog on driving resources, this post will cover Connecticut resources on driving. The main problem with Connecticut is that there are few resources available, including a low number of driver rehab specialists present trained in autism and other neurodiverse disorders. With Connecticut, you would have to come up with ideas on your own to make driving work.  Either way, here are the driving resources that you can look for in Connecticut.  I also included non-driving school resources as Connecticut's DMV have one program and another resource is by a university. 

06/01/2023 Update: Added a new business that reached out to me and provided me with their summary. 
11/13/2023 Update: Added a therapy service I ran into over at Newtown. 
4/9/2024 Update: Added the Hospital for Special Care service. 

​
Driving Schools

Knepler Driving Schools 

Knepler has five locations within the state, along with a Florida school. Those Connecticut locations are Fairfield, Monroe, Trumbull, and Stratford. They take clients from Department of Social Services due to their vendor status and funding from Department of Developmental Services, DOHRS and Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. Their overall special needs services include evaluation called their “Diagnostic Driving Evaluation Center” and they cover both physical and mental conditions like autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Training wise, their driver rehab specialist covers driver assessments, which tackles knowledge of driver rules and general driving and mental rules. Finally, they have behind the wheel lessons to help new drivers find their strengths and areas of improvement.  


Non-Driving Schools:

Easterseals 

Over at Meriden, Easterseals have a driver assessment program, which tackles clinical and behind the wheel assessment for driving skills. Those assessments are done by a certified driver rehab specialist to check on a driver’s ability or to assess if a need for adaptive tech is necessary or not. Their main page has several videos to help give you an idea of what their services look like.  


Therapeutic Driving with Occupational Therapy

​"Therapeutic Driving with Occupational Therapy, LLC is owned and operated by an occupational therapist who is a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist.   Services are most often provided at the client's home.  Commitment to individualized care is part of the planning for every client.  The process begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment and if appropriate continues with a behind the wheel evaluation.   All services are individualized to meet the needs of the client."

Hospital for Special Care 

Located in New Britain, their OTs work with individuals on evaluating and testing their driving abilities and readiness. They work with you on assessments to get cleared for driving. One of the main features present is their DriverSafety Driving Simulator that sets up a virtual environment that is suited for individuals' needs to gain driver skills. 


 Initiatives:

​
Blue envelope   

Passed by policymakers in 2020, the blue envelope program was created to help communications between autistic individual and their family with police officers during a traffic stop. The envelope contains autism information, and a driver can put in their driver registration, insurance card, and license inside it. People can find this autism envelope at DMV locations, police stations, and autism organizations. 

Autism awareness (ct.gov)

 

Southern Connecticut State University 

Their Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders runs the Routine Traffic Stop Practice in select campuses throughout the state. People from the center collaborate with local police stations to go over what is expected at a traffic stop and have live demonstrations where drivers can experience a staged traffic stop. For more information and to see a video, you can go on this link below: 

Routine Traffic Stop Practice for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder | Southern Connecticut State University (southernct.edu)


Therapy Services:

4D Vision Gym:
Located in Cheshire, there provide vision therapy services and a 4D Built to Drive where they will send you everything to you in order to train your brain on using your eyes. I get to try out a demo of this on November 12th, 2023, and it was fascinating to get insights on my own perception intake. While this can be an expensive program, they do offer free consultations to people. 



Specific Instructors:

Ron Parrs

Ron Parrs, Driver Rehabilitation Specialist, Certified Driving Instructor (CT, MA & RI), Certified Cognitive Coach (IBCCES.org,  # CCC2188887, exp 02/2025) - 1, 15-hour courses on autism, with initial certification & 1, 15-hour courses on autism with recertification.

CDI with The Next Street, LLC since Dec 2018
DRS & CCC since Feb 2021

Continuing Education certificate 15 hours training through ADED, "The Impact of Disability, Vision & Aging on Driving", May 2022

Accumulated over 2,000 hours of working with neuro-diverse community.

I have worked with the following diagnoses & comorbidities:
ASD, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Audio Processing Disorder, Visual & Visuo-Motor Processing Disorders, students requiring prism lenses, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Apraxia, Anxiety Disorders, Cerebral Palsy & its symptoms (have taught students requiring & using adaptive equipment - not currently available), Spastic Diplegia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Gender Dysphoria, Encephalopathy, Hydro Encephalopathy, Strabismus, Nystagmus, Aphantasia, students having undergone vision therapy, Kabuki syndrome, Down syndrome, short stature.

​
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For this first main blog, I wanted to do something special for autism and driving. For the autism population, resources on driving are inconsistent in each state. Some states where adaptive driving schools may exist, while you have states like Connecticut where the number of driver rehab specialists are low.  Even before all my advocacy efforts, resources were still limited by the state you are in. Some autistic individuals and their families have to work on their own to find a way to make driving work. As part of the new blog section here, I want to do a special project on autism and driving. I am creating a list of driving schools and other resources state by state.  

Each state blog post will cover the following resources ranging from driving schools, providers, pages, laws and other projects that relate to driving. With everything listed, it makes it easier for autistic individuals and their families to get a head start in finding the right program for their needs. These pages will actively be updated soon when new providers and other resources appear. I want these pages to be current as possible, so all of you can make a strong decision! 

Here is the list of current blog posts that are up there. In good times, more pages will be coming up. Bookmark this page to keep up with updates. Feel free to comment on the individual state’s blog post if you know of a resource that should be added. Thank you so much for checking out this.  

6/29/2024 Update: Added a new section: Research Studies


States:

Alabama
Alaska 
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire 
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin 
Wyoming 
​

Other:

Research Studies
Books
​
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Welcome to the blog section of my website. I will be posting several autism topics, and this will be the home for my driving project. the Autism and Driving Resource Database. This will serve as its home to let anyone access schools and other online resources from all 50 states. The project will change overtime and I encourage you all to comment and suggest new resources to make it rich with numerous choices people can seek. Other than my driving project, I may type about the following topics:

1. Language Preferences
2. Employment
3. Advocacy 
4. Special Education

Be sure to bookmark this page to follow this page overtime as more blog posts are created. 

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