Use this site to access recordings and presentations from National Conferences
Autism Society records most keynote and concurrent sessions at their annual conferences. You can see and hear those recordings by purchasing full online access, or individual recordings.
4246
Can Your Child Become a Good Driver?
Thursday, July 23, 2009: 3:15 PM-4:30 PM
Broadway Ballroom A (Pheasant Run Resort and Conference Center)
This session is for parents whose children may be interested in learning to drive. It is also for children who are considering driving but not sure if they are ready to learn. It will describe criteria for learning readiness, outline different learning possibilities, share experiences of drivers with autism, visually show common learning obstacles and share social, educational and professional advantages realized by persons with autism who learn how to drive safely.
Content Plan
- Brief introduction of presenters and outline of session.
- Joint discussion of how to determine if a person with autism is ready to learn driving.
- Joint discussion of different learning options.
- Mainly by Mr Debbaudt: Visual scenarios of common driving tasks and/or obstacles, filmed by him and his son who is a driver with autism.
- Sharing by Jerry and Mary Newport of personal experience as drivers.
- Jerry Newport on social, academic and vocational advantages of being a driver with autism.
- Questions will be answered if time permits. Please write questions in advance.
Learning Objectives:
- How to determine if a person with autism is ready to learn driving.
- How to find the best teaching approach for a student driver with autism.
- Benefit from hearing personal experiences of people with autism who are/were drivers.
- See common visual scenarios of barriers to learning driving or being a good driver.
- Learn of social and employment advantages for people with autism who become good drivers.
Content Area: Transition Planning and Options for Adulthood
Presenters:
Gerald (Jerry) Newport, B.A.
Author, Advocate, Individual with AS and has Spouse with AS, Taxi Driver
Self
Jerry Newport has Asperger Syndrome. He has over 20 years of professional experience as a taxi driver and messenger. Jerry is a graduate of the University of Michigan and well-known speaker and author.
Dennis Debbaudt
Owner, Debbaudt Investigative Agency
Autism Risk Management
Dennis Debbaudt is one of the foremost trainers of law enforcement personnel nationally and internationally and a father of a son with ASD. Dennis advocates for strong partnerships between parents and the law enforcement community in an effort to reduce the dangers presented by wandering and elopement.
Mary Meinel Newport
Author, Advocate, Individual with AS and has Spouse with AS, Former Driver
Self
Diagnosed with Asperger's, manic depression, head injuries, and PTSD, Mary is the mother of two adult, independent sons who were never diagnosed but exhibit ASD traits and grandmother of two. She is a also a former piano tuner, gemologist, actress and current artist and composer. She drove for almost three decades but no longer does because of health issues.