title: Driving Simulator Performance in Novice Drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Executive Functions and Basic Motor Skills.
abstract: Previous studies have shown that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate poorer driving performance than their peers and are less likely to obtain a driver's license. This study aims to examine the relationship between driving performance and executive functioning for novice drivers, with and without ASD, using a driving simulator. Forty-four males (ages 15-23), 17 with ASD and 27 healthy controls, completed paradigms assessing driving skills and executive functioning. ASD drivers demonstrated poorer driving performance overall and the addition of a working memory task resulted in a significant decrement in their performance relative to control drivers. Results suggest that working memory may be a key mechanism underlying difficulties demonstrated by ASD drivers and provides insight for future intervention programs.
authors.affiliation: Clinical and School Psychology, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, 417 Emmet Street South, Box 400270, Charlottesville, VA, 22904-4270, USA. smc4cg@virginia.edu.|Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. smc4cg@virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Stephany M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Barringer IV, Box 800223, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.affiliation: Clinical and School Psychology, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, 417 Emmet Street South, Box 400270, Charlottesville, VA, 22904-4270, USA.|Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kofler
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Barringer IV, Box 800223, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Moncrief
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Barringer IV, Box 800223, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Barringer IV, Box 800223, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.|California Department of Motor Vehicles, Sacramento, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Ann E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Barringer IV, Box 800223, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cain
authors.affiliation: Clinical and School Psychology, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, 417 Emmet Street South, Box 400270, Charlottesville, VA, 22904-4270, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Reeve
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003198:Computer Simulation; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009048:Motor Skills; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Driving; Driving simulator; Executive functions