At the time of his diagnosis, I knew very little about ASD. I spent hours and hours doing research to gain an understanding of the extremely broad, complex aspects of ASD. Very soon following Preston’s diagnosis, he began occupational, speech, and social therapies. The specialized personalized attention and teachings he was receiving from therapies had a huge positive effect on his physical and so
cial growth. I also began to get a better understanding of how he communicated and processed information. During this time, I was a driving instructor for a private driving school in Memphis, TN. I began noticing some students struggling to follow along with the material discussed in the classroom setting. The classroom format was 4 days, 8 hours each day, with 60-75 students in class. This was completely overwhelming, over stimulating, and not conducive to learning and retaining very complex information on driving. I saw a need for a more effective driver training program designed for people who learn differently. As I worked with different students needing a more detailed approach to their driving training, I started taking notes. From 2017-2019, I took 100’s of hours dash cam footage and edited. Over 1000 pictures were taken of any and everything related to driving. I studied how students were processing the defensive driving method and techniques that I was creating. In 2019, I published dRiViNG AuTiSM. That same year my 1st student completed the program and became a licensed and skilled defensive driver. To date over 75 people have completed the program, becoming licensed drivers. I am forever grateful to all the students and families for what they have given to dRiViNG AuTiSM and myself. I’m honored to have the opportunity to work with amazing, talented, inspiring individuals.
