Transportation Access in the Transition to Adulthood: Navigating a Neurotypical World on the Autism Spectrum

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Disability Studies
• Transportation Accessibility

Background:

• Autistic adolescents and young adults (AYAs) face documented transportation access challenges.
• Limited understanding exists regarding how transportation inaccessibility impacts AYAs during the critical transition to adulthood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the underlying challenges of transportation inaccessibility for AYAs.
• To understand the effects of this inaccessibility on the transition process.
• To identify future support strategies for AYAs' transportation access.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis using semi-structured interviews with 27 parents/caregivers and five service providers.
• Systematic coding and Framework Matrix organization of data.
• Applied Thematic Analysis for data interpretation.

Main Results:

• Transportation barriers stem from mismatches between environments and AYAs' needs (sensory, executive functioning) and limited opportunities for skill development.
• Impacts are more pronounced for minoritized and low-income AYAs, exacerbating transition disparities.
• Transportation inaccessibility presents compounding barriers and significant implications for autistic youth.

Conclusions:

• A multi-tiered approach is crucial: dedicated transportation education, enhanced community/institutional partnerships, and redesigned transportation infrastructure.
• These interventions can improve transition-related and adult outcomes for AYAs.
• Future research should prioritize co-designing interventions with AYAs to improve transportation access.