https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317735959 Autism 2018, Vol. 22(1) 62–69 © The Author(s) 2017 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1362361317735959 journals.sagepub.com/home/aut Introduction Obtaining an independent driver’s license has profound life-long consequences. The impact of a license ranges from positive experiences, such as attaining independence for securing and maintaining work and social relationships (Reimer et al., 2013), to negative experiences, such as col- lisions (World Health Organization (WHO), 2013). Controlling a vehicle can be a daunting multi-tasking chal- lenge for some novice drivers (Ross et al., 2014), espe- cially for novice drivers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Ross et al., 2015). Certain characteristics associ- ated with ASD may interfere with driving. For example, a limited ability to plan and execute actions in response to environmental changes can cause a slowed driving style (Ross et al., 2015). These difficulties may contribute to apprehension toward the prospect of independent driving, discouraging the pursuit of licensure and potentially inter- fering with both the learning and application of safe driv- ing skills. Evidence suggests that young adults with ASD are at increased risk of anxiety in general (Van Steensel et al., 2011; Vasa and Mazurek, 2015). This increased level of anxiety can interfere with daily life functioning (MacNeil et al., 2009), potentially further contributing to apprehen- sive driving. Little research specifically targeting appre- hensive driving in ASD has been done, and the scant research that exists mainly provides indications of elevated anxious arousal. Anxious arousal is defined by somatic tension and physiological hyperarousal and includes a set of somatic symptoms such as shortness of breath, Measuring the attitudes of novice drivers with autism spectrum disorder as an indication of apprehensive driving: Going beyond basic abilities Veerle Ross 1 , Daniel J Cox 2 , Ron Reeve 2 , Timothy Brown 3 , Matthew Moncrief 2 , Rose Schmitt 3 and Gary Gaffney 3 Abstract For some individuals with autism spectrum disorder, driving apprehension may interfere with the acquisition and application of driving privileges. The Driving Attitude Scale Parent-Report provides an indication of novice drivers’ positive and negative attitudes toward driving. Responses were compared for parents of 66 autism spectrum disorder and 166 neuro-typical novice drivers. After the autism spectrum disorder drivers completed 3 months of driver training, 60 parents repeated the Driving Attitude Scale Parent-Report. Parents reported autism spectrum disorder drivers to have less positive and more negative attitudes toward driving than parents of neuro-typical drivers. Parents of autism spectrum disorder drivers who received driving training in a safe/low-threat virtual reality driving simulator demonstrated a significant increase in positive attitudes and reduction in negative attitudes, compared to parents of autism spectrum disorder drivers undergoing routine driver training. The reports of parents of autism spectrum disorder drivers suggest potential problems with learning to drive that can go beyond general abilities and include driving apprehension. Keywords anxiety, attitudes, autism spectrum disorders, driving, driving training, virtual reality 1 Hasselt University, Belgium 2 University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, USA 3 The University of Iowa, USA Corresponding author: Daniel J Cox, Virginia Driving Safety Laboratory, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Box 800-223, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA. Email: djc4f@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu 735959AUT 0 0 10.1177/1362361317735959AutismRoss et al. research-article 2017 Special Issue Article