Brief Report: Healthcare Providers’ Discussions Regarding Transportation and Driving with Autistic and Non-autistic Patients

Abstract

Objective: To characterize healthcare and behavioral service providers’ transportation-related discussions with their autistic and non-autistic patients. Method: 78 providers completed a cross-sectional survey assessing their transportation discussions with patients. We used Mann–Whitney U tests and chi-square tests to compare differences in provider reports by patient diagnosis. Results: Compared with one in two providers who reported they discuss transportation with non-autistic patients, only one in five have these conversations with their autistic patients. Few (8%) providers felt prepared to assess driving readiness in autistic patients, yet only a quarter refer patients elsewhere. Conclusion: There is a critical need to develop resources for use in medical settings to effectively support autistic adolescents’ independence and mobility as they transition into adulthood.