Assessment of Transportation and Mobility Adults on the Autism Spectrum in NJ

Background: Although many advances have been made in other fields related to quality of life improvements for persons with ASD, efforts have been more limited in the realm of transportation planning and policy.  Most organizations involved in transportation planning and policy collect travel data for broad population groups such as persons with disabilities instead of collecting data for specific population groups like persons with ASD. As a result, very little is known about the travel patterns, needs, and barriers of persons with ASD. The primary focus of the research is to gain insights about the transportation barriers experienced by the New Jersey adult ASD population.  Additionally this research is seeking to identify the characteristics and traits commonly found in adults with ASD and their impacts on transportation choices, which in turn affects employment opportunities, community involvement, and overall quality of life.  

Objectives: The broad objective of this study is to demonstrate the specific transportation and mobility needs and barriers of New Jersey adults with ASD so that greater efforts are made by planning agencies and service providers to meet their unmet transportation and mobility needs. Another objective is to educate agencies and officials assisting persons with ASD with work-related skills about the importance of transportation for gainful employment and independence. The research is focused on examining all types of mobility needs and transportation barriers as they relate to pedestrian skills; public transportation including, fixed-route and paratransit services; and driving. 

Methods:  The research is being conducted utilizing a four-pronged information and data collection approach that includes a review of existing literature, studies and data, followed by 25 structured interviews with a targeted set of experts, then a scientific survey focused on documenting the transportation needs and barriers of adults with ASD, and concluding with a series of focus groups with adults with ASD in New Jersey.

Through conducting 25 key informant interviews with an array of expert stakeholders, the research team was able to document how the characteristics of persons with ASD relates to their travel needs and the barriers they encounter. 

Because of the difficulties in identifying adults with ASD for the survey, a convenience sampling methodology was used. The internet survey was disseminated through a variety of agencies including Autism New Jersey, ASPEN, DJFF, and Autism Family Services.  The survey allows respondents to complete it on their own or have their guardian/caregiver complete the survey for them.

The focus groups provide a deeper insight and perception about the transportation needs and barriers of adults with ASD.  While the analysis of survey data will primarily provide associative results, the focus groups contribute a richer understanding of the observed associations. 

Results: The stakeholder interviews resulted in emergence of 8 commons themes including barriers begin with lack of access to public transport services and there are few opportunities in adult services to learn transportation and mobility skills. Currently  there is data from over 500 respondents and preliminary survey analysis will be conducted this winter. 

Conclusions:  N/A