Driving can be freedom, fear, or both, and for many autistic teens and adults it comes with extra layers like sensory overload, anxiety, and the pressure of “being on time” for milestones. We sit down with autistic self advocate Andrew Arboe and Jan Schlueter, co-founder and CEO of Neurodiverse Technologies and Entrepreneur in Residence at Vanderbilt’s Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, to talk about what real driver readiness support can look like when independence is the mission.

We dig into the mindset shift that changes everything: there is no magic age for learning to drive. Andrew shares why routines matter, how interest based destinations can make practice feel purposeful, and why reducing anxiety often means removing deadlines rather than piling on pressure. We also talk about practical prep for the written test, including simple tools like online practice tests and flashcards that help learners feel steady instead of overwhelmed.

Jan walks us through SANDI an autism-centered driving simulator built to prepare learners before they step into a real car. With instructor controls, changing weather, adjustable traffic density, surprise scenarios, and eye gaze tracking that shows where a learner is actually looking, SANDI makes it possible to coach skills like visual scanning in a way traditional in-car practice cannot. We also explore why driving anxiety appears to be rising more broadly, and how supportive technology can help both neurodivergent and neurotypical drivers build confidence.

If you care about autism driving resources, driver education, assistive technology, and real pathways to independence, this one is for you. Subscribe, share with a parent or driving instructor, and leave a review so more families can find these tools and conversations.

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