Autistic Young Adults' Routine Travel Pre- and Post-License

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Autistic Young Adults' Routine Travel Pre- and Post-License
Language: English
Authors: Emma B. Sartin (ORCID 0000-0002-0609-8235), Lauren O'Malley, Alexis Z. Tomlinson, Laura Bennett, Rachel K. Myers (ORCID 0000-0003-1998-8162), Kristina B. Metzger, Haley J. Bishop, Benjamin E. Yerys, Allison Curry
Source: Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2026 30(5):1360-1367.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 8
Publication Date: 2026
Sponsoring Agency: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (DHHS/NIH)
Contract Number: R01HD096221
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adolescents, Young Adults, Longitudinal Studies, Transportation, Motor Vehicles, Certification, Behavior Patterns, Behavior Change
Geographic Terms: Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)
DOI: 10.1177/13623613251394558
ISSN: 1362-3613
1461-7005
Abstract: Compared with their non-licensed peers, licensed autistic adults appear to report more positive outcomes in objective measures of quality of life, particularly participation in activities outside of the home. We examined if this is due to individual differences/factors or the ability to independently drive. We conducted a prospective follow-up survey study of 16-21 years old in the United States and compared engagement in activities outside of the home over time by licensing status. Our final sample included 111 young adults; at follow-up, 62% did not have a permit or a license, 18% had obtained a permit, and 20% were licensed. Generally, travel patterns were consistent, except for reported increases in employment. The lack of overall differences across groups over time suggests individual differences in resources, barriers/facilitators to traveling, or general characteristics may underlie objective measures of quality of life rather than the obtainment of a license. Furthermore, regardless of licensure status, most respondents were not traveling everywhere they wanted to go, and nearly 80% were interested in a transportation modality they did not currently use. Thus, there is a continued need to support autistic adults' independent use of various transportation modalities.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1503232
Database: ERIC
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