A specialized driving rehabilitation program at Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital is supporting teens and young adults on the autism spectrum in learning safe driving skills and gaining independence, according to a May 27 announcement. The program is designed to address the unique learning styles, sensory needs, and communication preferences associated with autism spectrum disorders by providing comprehensive evaluation and one-on-one training to help individuals prepare for the Illinois Road Test.
“There is no single pathway to becoming a driver, and meeting each learner where they are can make a tremendous difference,” said Monica Scalise, MS, OTR/L, CDRS, occupational therapist and certified driver rehabilitation specialist at Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. “Our therapists already support individuals on the autism spectrum, but this program was designed to be even more specialized. By considering processing differences, sensory needs and even heightened anxiety, we create individualized plans that build confidence, independence and practical driving skills.”
The Driver Rehabilitation for People with Autism program begins with in-depth assessments led by certified specialists trained in addressing sensory or other processing needs. Participants are matched to tiered levels of support based on their individual goals. Training may include classroom instruction focused on rules of the road, visual scanning education, structured passenger activities, and behind-the-wheel lessons that start in controlled environments before progressing to community roads as appropriate. Parents and caregivers receive guidance for supervised practice at home.
Christian Callaway of St. Charles recently passed the Illinois road test after completing training through Marianjoy’s team. “As a child Christian learned everything he could about cars – from different makes and models to their mechanics and maintenance – so having access to this program was exciting for our family,” said Peter Callaway, Christian’s father. “The structure of the program helped break the process into manageable steps. We always knew what the focus was and how to practice between sessions.” Christian added about his interest in cars, “I just love it.”
For many people on the autism spectrum, driving represents increased independence as well as greater participation in employment or community life. “Many families don’t realize specialized driver rehabilitation programs exist,” Scalise said. “We want people to know there are options and that driving preparation can happen in a thoughtful, supportive way.”
Northwestern Medicine operates under its parent organization Northwestern Memorial HealthCare with Howard B. Chrisman serving as president and chief executive officer; it aims for world-class care through patient care initiatives as well as clinical research collaborations recognized nationally for humanitarian contributions, according to the official website.
