New York Autism Driving Resources

So far, New York has some of the most driver and adaptative programs so far in my research of making my nationwide database for autism and driving resources. I found a healthy mix of school and hospital resources during my initial research. I have a feeling that there are more resources out there, waiting to be found. Please comment or message me by my contact page if I missed any. As always, thank you for using this resource and have a wonderful day!


Driving Schools: 
 
Golden Crown Driving  

This driving school is located in White Plains, which is close to the Connecticut border. They provide professional private driving lessons for a variety of people, including those with disabilities. This school pick you up from Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess County, NY. For online services, they have a five hour Zoom classroom where you can take drivers' education there, instead of the in-person setting.  

 
DriveOn 

DriveOn is a driving school that is part of Rochester Rehab in Rochester, New York. Over 45 years, they provided driver education to anyone of all ages, including autism and other similar populations. Two staff are certified as being driver rehab specialists and the other staff have memberships for the ADED. They do the clinical and behind the wheel evaluations and offer services for those who want to retain their license.  

 
All County Driving School 

Located in Hicksville, they have special needs services, which includes autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities populations. Not only their staff is certified, but their school cars with assistive tech that helps during lessons.  
 

Gersh Academy Driver Education 

In Sufford County, this driver academy is highly regarded in the state. They contain a simulator to help autistic students learn skills in a safe setting. They contained the general driving classes and even include golf cart driving as an option for those who need more time.  

Matthew Meltzer's Meltzer's Driver Training Center

"The Meltzer's Driver Training Center philosophy is to find people who want to drive and are capable of becoming drivers and to do what is necessary to assist them in this endeavor. Sometimes this is with Driving Instruction or Road Test Service or Driver Evaluation or Vehicle Modification Evaluation. The list goes on. Meltzer's Driver Training Center is based in Dutchess County yet has served people to the South on Long Island and in New York City, to the North in Albany, to the East nearing Connecticut and to the West nearing Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Some people travel to the Hudson Valley for services. To some people, I do the traveling. I am well known for my expertise in the field of training those with Learning Differences. Tutoring is available for those who are having trouble or even for those who anticipate having trouble passing the New York State Learner Permit Test. I give Driver Training to people of all ages (16 thru 96 - so far).

 I teach driving to many students with no disabilities. Driver Training is also available for those with Learning Differences, Physical Disabilities, and/or an Emotional Disability. I received my Bachelor's Degree from Marist College in 1978. I am licensed by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles as a Driving Instructor. I served on the advisory board of the Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) division of the New York State Education Department. In 2011, they changed their name to The office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES). They are New York State's Vocational Rehabilitation Unit. We recommended the Standards for Driver Evaluations & Training and Vehicle Modifications for people with disabilities which are now in force. I have taught prospective drivers, with or without disabilities, from sixteen through ninety-six (Yes, 96!) years of age. I have been trained as a CarFit technician. CarFit is an educational program which was created by the American Society on Aging and developed in collaboration with AARP, AAA, and AOTA. 

I am a member of A.D.E.D., The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, Past President (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012) of the Northeast Chapter - comprised of nine U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. I am on ADED's Publication Committee and Public Relations/Membership Committee. It was requested of me in 2010 to teach a one hour "Coaches Corner" for other CDIs and several OTs at an ADED Convention. Of course, I obliged. Meltzer's Driver Training Center is a recipient of the Access Dutchess County '99 award. This award was sponsored by the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA) which is now known as United Spinal Association. Meltzer's Driver Training Center is a recipient of a Certificate of Merit from the New York State Assembly issued by Assemblyman Joel Miller. Meltzer's Driver Training Center is a recipient of a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition issued by Congresswoman Susan Kelly. I am a Board certified CDRS. A CDRS is a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist. We number just over 300 around the world. 

I will do on-the-road behind-the-wheel Driver Evaluation or Driver Training / Driving Instruction for anyone requesting one so long as they have either a learner permit (NYS permit or one accepted by NYS) or driver's license (from any state or province). I have done on-the-road behind-the-wheel Driver Evaluations for the Occupational Therapy Department at The Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in White Plains, NY (914) 597-2326, for The Therapy Connection at Saint Francis Hospital (no longer an active provider of Driver Rehab) in Poughkeepsie NY, Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw NY (845) 786-4460, and Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Medical Center in Manhattan (212) 263-6028 and ACCES-VR. I do on-the-road behind-the-wheel Driver Evaluations for other Rehab facilities or doctors at their request. I do vehicle modification evaluations for those with limited use of limbs. I do Hi-Tech van modification evaluations for those with severely limited use of limbs. I teach anyone who has a Learner Permit - most of the time on my vehicle; sometimes on their vehicle. I teach, or shall I say re-teach, anyone who has a Driver's License and wishes to improve their ability or use of that ability. I do Vehicle Modification Evaluations and/or Driver Evaluations and/or Driver Training or Retraining of people with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities (I guess I should say "mental, physical, or emotional 'situations' to be Politically Correct.). I tutor prospective drivers on the information in the NYS Driver's Manual - to hopefully have them pass the NYS DMV Learner Permit test (written or oral)." 
 
Non-Driving Schools: 
 
Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute-Little Rock 

They have a driver rehab instructor who does evaluations and training for drivers. It is individualized to consider a driver's needs. To enter the program, you need a physician's referral and Medicare that covers OT services.  

 
Bugow's Driver Rehab LLC 
 
Located in Syracuse, this rehab provider tackles driver evaluation, specialized training, car consultation, and adaptive tech evaluations. Their staff have backgrounds in driver rehab specialist, including Scott Pelow who has a background in special education and childhood education.  
 
 
Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital's Driver Rehab
Located in Schenectady, they provide driver rehab services for people with disabilities and other conditions. Their staff are OTS with backgrounds in driver rehab who evaluate drivers clinically and on the road itself. They also go over assistive devices that one can use to make driving doable and are customized for your own needs.  

 
FLX Driver Rehabilitation 
They provide several services including rehab assessments, defensive driving classes, a five-hour pre-license course, and even services for seniors and those who are unlicensed. While autism is not listed, they had learning disabilities listed, which means a possibility they may be familiar with autistic students.   


Initiatives:

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It is a card to present to emergency officers to aid the communication process. 

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