Transportation Access in the Transition to Adulthood: Navigating a Neurotypical World on the Autism Spectrum.
John S Wilson, Jenna Eilenberg, Wenyan Feng and 7 others
PMID 40760221WHAT IT FOUND
Caregivers and providers describe autistic youth hitting barriers in transit, driving tests, and school travel training.
Sensory overload, stigma, and poor coordination with schools block independence. Low-income families face higher costs and fewer options, deepening inequities in adult outcomes.
Key findings
01Public transportation systems often fail autistic youth due to sensory overload, unpredictable schedules, and social stigma, leading caregivers to restrict travel or relocate.
02Schools are expected to provide travel training, but caregivers report insufficient support, delayed feedback, and a diffusion of responsibility that leaves families to manage gaps alone.
03Socioeconomic and racial disparities intensify transportation barriers, as wealthier families can pay for private options while lower-income families face unaffordable costs and waitlists.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The interview guide was not originally designed to investigate transportation access, potentially limiting depth. Participants were mostly from urban and suburban areas in the Northeast and Midwest, excluding rural perspectives. Only five service providers participated, all white, limiting generalizability of provider views. The study did not include direct perspectives from autistic adolescents and young adults, relying on caregiver and provider reports. The sample did not include individuals with very high adaptive or social skills.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence that any specific intervention improves transportation independence. This study describes perceived barriers and systemic gaps from caregivers and providers, not outcomes of tested treatments. It does not show that travel training works, only that it is often lacking or poorly implemented.