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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A teen finally says it out loud: “What’s wrong with me?” And as a parent, you realize you don’t have an answer yet. That moment sits at the heart of our conversation with Jan Schlueter, a tech entrepreneur who moved from Germany to Tennessee and found himself pulled into autism and neurodiversity work through Vanderbilt’s Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, only to later recognize that his own daughter is autistic. We talk about what a late autism diagnosis changes, why it can bring real relief, and how it helps a young person rewrite the last decade with more compassion and clarity.

We also dig into a problem families feel every day: supports often fade right when life gets bigger. The transition to adulthood brings driving, jobs, money, travel, and independence, but resources for ages 16+ can be painfully limited. Jan shares how the Sandy driver readiness platform helps neurodivergent teens and young adults build confidence behind the wheel, plus a practical parenting approach that reduces pressure while increasing autonomy one route at a time.

Finally, we zoom out to the bigger vision: an autism-friendly ecosystem built through Neurodiverse Technologies, the Neurotech Frontiers incubation platform and conference, and new partnerships designed to connect research, products, and real-world support. If you care about autism support for adolescents, assistive technology, universal design, and building independence that lasts, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a parent or educator, and leave a review so more families can find these tools and ideas.

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He jokes about coffee and Pokémon, but Andrew Arboe’s story lands because it’s grounded in real life: special education records, speech therapy, anxiety, and the slow work of building skills over time. We talk with Andrew, one of our advisory board members, about growing up non-speaking and later becoming verbal, and why early guidance like “don’t underestimate him” still matters for families and educators supporting non-speaking and minimally speaking autistic kids today.

From there, we follow the turning point many neurodivergent people know too well: leaving high school and realizing adult services can feel scattered or hard to find. Andrew describes that transition like being dropped into an open-world game with no map, and we explore what helps, including realistic planning, community connection, and pathways like employment services, vocational rehabilitation, and transition services. He also shares why he’s careful to say he’s only one voice in a massive autism community, and how he navigates online discourse without losing sight of what’s actually useful.

We also dig into Andrew’s advocacy work: public speaking, contracting, and building a personal brand that stays flexible and welcoming. A standout topic is autistic driving readiness, including why driving can be a meaningful goal for some people and not the right choice for others. Andrew explains his connection to Neurodiverse Technologies and a driver simulator program designed to help people practice safely and make informed decisions.

If you care about autism acceptance, special education, adult transition planning, and practical resources that increase independence, this conversation offers both perspective and next steps. Subscribe, share this with someone navigating a transition, and leave a review with the question you want us to tackle next.

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