Brief Report: Healthcare Providers' Discussions Regarding Transportation and Driving with Autistic and Non-autistic Patients.
Emma B Sartin, Rachel K Myers, Christina G Labows and 6 others
PMID 34853958WHAT IT FOUND
Providers discuss transportation with 20% of autistic patients versus 50% of non-autistic patients.
Only 8% feel ready to assess autistic driving readiness, and just 26% refer patients for driving help. Conversations typically start at age 15.
Key findings
01Providers reported having transportation-related discussions with a greater proportion of their non-autistic patients compared with their autistic patients.
02Only 8% of providers believed they could assess driver readiness among their autistic patients, compared to 33% for non-autistic patients.
03Only 26% of providers reported that they routinely refer any of their patients to other providers for issues related to driving independently.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study used a convenience sample from an urban region in the northeastern U.S., limiting generalizability. Pennsylvania law requires a physical exam for learner's permits, which may artificially increase discussion rates compared to states without this rule. The analysis was restricted to providers who see both autistic and non-autistic patients, excluding those who only treat one group. Self-reported data may not reflect actual clinical practice.
Declared interests
The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these low discussion rates and referral numbers as evidence that transportation interventions are ineffective or unnecessary. This survey reports on provider behavior and confidence, not patient outcomes or the efficacy of driving assessments. The findings highlight a service gap, not a lack of benefit from driving support.