Illinois Autism Driving Resources

I am quite pleased to see more resources in Illinois compared to states I recently researched for this blog project. Top Driver looks interesting, and the non-school programs look just as fine. As always, comment below or message me if you have any resources to share. Thank you for using this resource and have a wonderful day!  

*August 17th, 2023, Update: New program added. *

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Driving Schools: 

 

Top Driver 

This driving school has an active ADHD and executive functioning program for those populations. Their specialized program has an individualized plan, 18-hour road lessons and a "parent care" pre license training course. This program was created through a collaboration with Behind the Wheel with ADHD.  


Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
They offer driver education for individuals with disabilities over at Wheaton, Illinois. They provide evaluation and an education program for new drivers. Referral from a physician and being age 15 is recommended for being in this program. 



Non-Driving Schools: 

NorthShore 

Their driving program evaluates individuals with physical and mental disabilities in their ability to drive. The two components within this program are a clinical evaluation and a behind the wheel evaluation. They use information from medical and social history to make a recommendation. 


Strive For Independence 

Staffed by experienced OTs with driver rehab backgrounds, they provide driver readiness evaluations, full evaluations, and behind the wheel lessons. On their home page, autism along with other disabilities are mentioned as populations they work with. Like Connecticut’s traffic stop practice, Strive for Independence offers a two-hour course where drivers get to experience traffic stops in a controlled environment.  


Easterseals Rehabilitation Center Illinois 

Hosted by the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center's Assistive Technology Solutions, they provide driver rehab services for individuals. They do clinical assessments and evaluation along with driver training to help individuals be at ease with driving. There is no word on pricing, so you would have to contact them to obtain that information.  
 

 

Initiatives:  

Disability identification Card 

No word if this is optional or not, so it is up to you to decide with this choice.