The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

This presentation is on the results of a two-year Rutgers University study analyzing the travel patterns, transportation and mobility needs and barriers of persons with ASD. The study involved interviews with key stakeholders, conducting a statewide survey in New Jersey and 5 focus groups - 3 with adults with ASD. The presentation will review the Rutgers University research that is being conducted utilizing a four-pronged information and data collection approach that includes a review of existing literature and practices, 25 structured interviews with a targeted set of experts, a survey of adults with ASD focused on documenting their transportation needs and barriers, and a series of focus groups.  The project is designed to identify the transportation and mobility needs and barriers of adults with ASD.   

The review helped to gain insights about related issues and to identify gaps in existing literature and practices. The 25 key informant interviews with 43 individual experts helped to understand their interests and concerns and also to identify some of needs and barriers of adults with ASD. 

The eight themes that emerged from the stakeholder interviews will be reviewed.  These include the lack of access to public transport services, limited opportunities through adult services to learn transportation and mobility skills, and characteristics associated with ASD were often barriers to use various modes. 

Because of the difficulties in identifying adults with ASD, a convenience sampling methodology has been used for the survey.  Currently survey data has been collected on more than 670 adults with ASD.  The survey is open to individuals with ASD as well as family members and guardians.   Preliminary results from the survey of adults ages 18 and over residing in New Jersey, indicate that for adults on the spectrum:

• 92% are relying on parents or family to bring them to some of their trips
• 72% of adults with ASD miss activities because family members are unable to drive them
• 73% of family members miss their own activities due to driving adults with ASD
• 55% of adults were not able to cross the street themselves
• 38% of adults use some form of public transportation services, including paratransit services
• 26% of adults had participated in a driver’s education program but only 9% of adults with ASD currently have a license
• 91% of responses indicate that the ASD impacts one’s ability to drive an automobile – this includes 100% response from adults with ASD themselves.

In addition to the survey, five focus groups are being conducted as part of the study. They are providing insights about the perceptions of adults with ASD regarding their transportation needs and barriers.  Three of the focus groups are directly with adults on the spectrum and two are for family members.   While the analysis of survey data will provide associative results through statistical tests, the focus groups will provide a deeper understanding of the real life stories and personal accounts of experiences. 

During the presentation the stories from the focus groups will be used to supplement the survey results and the 8 themes that emerged from the stakeholders. 

In summary, the presentation will review the results of the study. Needs and barriers for adults on the autism spectrum, including– both internal and external – will be reviewed for walking, driving, and using public transit.

Learning Objectives: