Teaching Special Populations

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We have taught about 15 students with autism; at least a hundred with ADHD; and a few hundred with anxiety.

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Special Note for All Cases:  Simply driving more does not necessarily guarantee success.  Since we do 10 drives many parents feel the extra drives will really help if their student is struggling.  Students cannot get their permit if we need to do more than 3 parking lot drives.  Spending more than 6 hours in a parking lot means the progress is too slow and the student will not get enough realistic driving in common driving situations.  

 

Autism:

50% of the students with autism quit the program.  The main reason seems to be age and medication.  The younger the student, despite proper medication do not do well.  Older students without proper medications also do not do well.  The right combination is being older and having good medication.  A recent 1-Star Review was from a parent who's student was 16 years old, high functioning autism, and extreme ADHD - all while not being on any medication.  Between the students age and lack of proper medication the drives did not go well.  It is obviously the parent's right whether to medicate or not - but from our observations medication seems to really help the student. 

 

ADHD:

Most students with ADHD do well but about 10% quit the program.  The 10% is usually students who are not on medication.

 

Anxiety:

Most students who have anxiety do well (this is for un-diagnosed students).  About 5% are not able to finish the program. 

Most students who are diagnosed GAD quit the program.  Age helps a lot.  Students who are older are able to process and compartmentalize information better.  Medication may help - but we don't have any anecdotal evidence for it.      

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