Study helps those with autism improve driving

(23 Aug 2022)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ann Arbor, Michigan – 29 April 2022
1. Various of Tate Ellwood-Mielewski using a driving simulator at a University of Michigan facility
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Tate Ellwood-Mielewski driving student:
"So, basically, it makes me nervous, but I do want to be able to drive, especially when my parents are gone. And get places where I want to go."
3. Various of Ellwood-Mielewski using the simulator
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Debbie Mielewski, Tate's mother:
"And so, I was getting this cup of coffee, and I looked at my director and just blurted out, 'Would you support a program to help autistic spectrum kids to learn how to drive?' And he immediately said, 'Yes.'"
5. Various of a university research assistant showing Tate Ellwood-Mielewski how to use a driving education application on a tablet computer  
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Elise Hodges, University of Michigan professor:
"We were encouraged to find that the intervention worked for the kids in the ASD group. So, those folks that underwent training improved in two-thirds of the hazards in the simulated drive."
7. Various of Ellwood-Mielewski working with the research assistant
8. Ellwood-Mielewski and another research assistant discuss the simulator's pedals
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Debbie Mielewski, Tate's mother:
"We noticed that they had certain difficulties in common. One of them was staying in their lane. And another was stopping distance. So, they tended to wait until they were right up at the stop sign and then jammed on it."
10. Various of Ellwood-Mielewski using the driving simulator
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Debbie Mielewski, Tate's mother:
"Phase two, we are going to try to train the kids to sort of overcome those weaknesses."
12. Ellwood-Mielewski stands up and moves away from the simulator to make way for one of the research assistants
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Tate Ellwood-Mielewski, driving student:
"I had memories of me crashing into buildings and doing a worse job. And I think I did a better job this time."
14. Various of Ellwood-Mielewski using the tablet app
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Tate Ellwood-Mielewski, driving student:
"So, I think I became a better driver."
16. Ellwood-Mielewski and the research assistant talk about the app
STORYLINE:
University of Michigan researchers plan to study how well those with autism spectrum disorder detect road hazards and assist the young motorists in sharpening their driving skills.
The upcoming effort marks the second phase of a project that is funded by Ford Motor Co. and teams the Ann Arbor university with a local driving school.  
During phase one of the study, researchers found that students with autism spectrum disorder detected fewer hazards than control participants during simulated drives.  
But, according to lead researcher Elise Hodges, some extra work behind the wheel did the trick.
"Those folks that underwent training improved in two-thirds of hazards in the simulated drive," said Hodges, a clinical associate professor in the University of Michigan's neuropsychology program.
Tate Ellwood-Mielewski (meh-LEH'-skee), who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 3, is among those who plan to get back in the driver's seat for the upcoming phase two.
"I do want to be able to drive ... and get places where I want to go," said Ellwood-Mielewski, a 23-year-old from Ann Arbor whose mother, Debbie Mielewski, was instrumental in pulling together the partners to make the study a reality.
"And he immediately said, 'Yes!'"
The effort was born.  
The second phase is expected to start in a month or two, Hodges said.

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