Dimensions of Self-Reported Driving Difficulty in Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults and their Relationship with Autistic Traits

Sheppard, Elizabeth; van Loon, Editha; Ropar, Danielle

Abstract

A survey asked autistic and non-autistic people about the driving difficulties they experience and their autistic traits. Principle components analysis was used to identify how reported difficulties clustered together in each group, and regression was used to determine which subscales of the Autism Spectrum Quotient predict these factors. For autistic drivers three factors of driving difficulty emerged: a Driving Executive factor, predicted by Attention Switching; a Driving Understanding factor, predicted by Communication; and a Driving Social Interaction factor, predicted by Attention Switching. For non-autistic drivers only one Driving General factor emerged, predicted by Communication. This suggests autistic people may experience at least three distinct domains of difficulty when driving which may relate to their particular profile of autistic features.

Citation

Sheppard, E., van Loon, E., & Ropar, D. (2023). Dimensions of Self-Reported Driving Difficulty in Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults and their Relationship with Autistic Traits. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 53, 285-295. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05420-y

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 21, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jan 12, 2022
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Deposit Date: Mar 11, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 11, 2022
• Journal: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
• Print ISSN: 0162-3257
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-3432
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 53
• Pages: 285-295
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05420-y
• Keywords: Developmental and Educational Psychology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/7351180
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-021-05420-y