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Frist Center for Autism and Innovation

Frist Center for Autism and Innovation

Driving Program Newsletters

Previous Events

Vanderbilt is hosting a Neurodiverse Technologies Open house to experience the SANDI virtual driving simulator! More information can be found at the following news item. For more information or to RSVP – email Jan Schlueter (js@operationalcraft.com)

Newsletters

Thursday 3rd April 2025

Participant Demographics (N=78)

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Partner Site Statuses

  • IMI: Finishing Delivering Final Feedback and Recommendations. New Cohort begins next Monday.
  • TPI: Cohort completed.
  • ABS Kids: Cohort completed.
  • Autism TN: Finishing simulator sessions.
  • Mount Miguel High School: Delivering Chapter 8 Tuesday.
  • TRACE: Continuing simulator sessions.

Wednesday 17 March 2025

Participant Insights

All participants have a documented ASD diagnosis; however, >10% of participants self-reported that they did not have an Autism diagnosis when asked the question “What is your current diagnosis”.

About 4% of participants currently enrolled in a Transition Program, but marked “No" to the question “Have you ever attended, or are currently attending a Transition Program (e.g., Transition Partnership Program or workability or TRACE)?”

These results require more thought.

Wednesday 12th March 2025

Participant Demographics (N=78)

Screenshot 2025-03-15 at 4.33.10 PM
Screenshot 2025-03-15 at 4.35.11 PM

Simulator and Curriculum Updates

There is a new version of the simulator! It is Version 2.7.633, which fixes major bugs and glitches.

For technical support, email Abigale (abigale.l.plunk@vanderbilt.edu) and Devon (devon.wilson@vanderbilt.edu).

We are working on edits to the curriculum for a new version to be completed soon.

Please get in touch if you have any feedback about Chapter 8 in particular.

Current Partner Site Updates

Remember to provide participants a copy of the resource page for your state. Participants find this information very helpful as they pursue permit test preparations and driving instructor training continuing their driving journeys.

Partner Site Statuses:

  • IMI: Delivering Chapter 7 on Wednesday.

  • TPI: Cohort completed.

  • ABS Kids: Cohort completed.

  • Autism TN: Finishing simulator sessions.

  • Mount Miguel High School: Delivering Chapter 8 next Tuesday.

  • TRACE: Continuing simulator sessions.