Let’s Drive! Road to Greater Independence for Neurodivergent

Paperback edition features easier-to-read font styles & sizes for our students with reading challenges such as dyslexia

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 Let's Drive! is an expanded and updated guide for everyone involved in the driver's education process who also has the privilege of working with those who present as neurodivergent. Throughout the book, readers will find pertinent information, as well as personal teaching and instructional stories featuring real students. Readers will also be exposed to examples of  what to do and what not do, holding to a philosophy of using an individualized methodology of instruction rather than a "one size fits  all" model typically found in driver's education. 

Let's Drive! Has several chapters that contain expanded information for all concerned parties (students, parents, educators, instructors, driving school administrators, Occupational Therapists, and others), especially in the areas of Emotional Capacity, Vision concerns and challenges, and working toward the best outcome for the individual student. 

The importance of the Individual. "If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism."

It all starts with Empathy. Rather than "sympathizing" with your student's needs, empathize with who they are and recognize that you will be a very important part of their "road to greater independence".

Emotions and how our neurodiverse students handle them (regulation & dysregulation) may differ greatly from those of our neurotypical students. Everything we do is an “emotional" activity, so we need to be aware of these differences and how to respond appropriately.

Humans are relational beings, and therefore, we need to Engage with our students. Although the student may initially have difficulty engaging in this new professional relationship, the instructor shouldn’t give up.

Endurance (patience) is key when working with your neurodiverse student. Although most will catch on in a "regular" set of instruction, a significant portion of these students will benefit from more and frequent professional instruction along with purposeful practice. The entire team must be on the same page concerning the final goal.

We, behind-the-wheel educators and instructors, are the "head coaches” of your family’s driver’s ed team. Our job is to always Encourage (when appropriate) our student with their abilities. Adding proper and appropriate Enthusiasm expands that encouragement; the two work together on the path to success!

What are the expectations of the student or the parent regarding driver’s education? Certain students (and their parents) believe that just because they have celebrated their sixteenth birthday, they must now pursue a driver’s license because of what “society” expects, when in reality, it would be more appropriate to wait several months or even several years. Let’s set realistic Expectations.

Executive Functioning is how each of us does everything in every dimension of our lives. Learn the basics of Executive Functioning to better instruct your student.

Education is not just teaching "stuff" - Education goes beyond knowledge. There has to be a holistic approach that involves all of the parties from the instructor to the parent to the student. 

The eyes are more than just the windows to the soul. Eye contact is just the beginning. Helping your students understand how they perceive the world around them is as important as what they see. For any student, visual processing delays can affect reaction time (for example, when driving through complex intersections or on windy, hilly country roads), which is important to understand for accident avoidance as well as for student (driver) anxiety.

All students, neurodiverse or neurotypical, learn in various ways: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and combinations of these. Knowing & understanding how best to present information and instruction to your student will help promote consistency and success.

Empowering a person means much more than assigning authority and/or responsibility... much more.

Continual, consistent, and objective evaluation and re-evaluation of your student is paramount to their success. Honest conversations with all involved parties throughout the driver’s education process will lead to the proper & appropriate outcome for the individual. 

Physical, mental & emotional Exhaustion and fatigue are realities for your neurodiverse student as they expend more energy to complete many tasks that we neurotypicals may take for granted. Learn more. 

How you exit your time with your student is just as important as how you initiated it. For the student and their parent or guardian, please note that there are 4 "Exit Ramps" regarding the student's potential driver’s license.

Get guidance and support from our academic coaches. Our coaches can help you improve your study skills, time management, and overall academic performance.

Tying up a bunch of loose ends. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) & Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are two separate diagnoses, with similarities and differences. Learn more.

Your neurodiverse student may have multiple visual, physical, emotional, or behavioral diagnoses that can affect their ability to operate a motor vehicle. Gain a basic understanding of what some of these various co-occurrences are so that you can be better prepared. 

Learn how to interact more effectively with your student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) by asking appropriate questions. Hypothetical scenarios are provided.

The “A’s” and “M’s”, the most basic understanding of working with a neurodiverse student... especially for the novice driving instructor.

A listing of workbooks and study guides that are available in the Let's Drive! Workbook & Practice Guide.