LAUSR

A single white 27 year-old male with autism was referred for an evaluation of his neurocognitive skills for driver’s training competency. Typically, the following criteria are required for special needs individuals to be issued a driver’s license: 1) Must pass neuropsychologist evaluation, 2) Must be cleared by occupational therapist, and 3) must be approved by primary care physician; Schultheis presented a symposium on this topic at the International Neuropsychology Society meeting in Portland, Oregon in 2007. As driving is one of the primary methods of achieving independence in our society, most teens and young adults, regardless of diagnosis, strive to obtain a license. This case presentation will profile the results of this individual’s neurocognitive driving skills. This neuropsychological evaluation included the Cognitive Behavioral Driver’s Inventory (CBDI). Significant results included: Average to low average intellectual skills, high average to average memory and attentional skills, weakness in math, multi-tasking perceptual motor difficulties, visual spatial/constructional difficulties, normal affective functioning, and positive personality profile. This individual had a “clearly failing” CBDI score of 91, with weaknesses in the following areas: Visual scrutiny and attention to detail, Visual motor coordination and fine motor speed, attention and concentration, rapid decision-making, distractibility, and mental flexibility, and consistency of performance. Although previously diagnosed with ADD, results of objective testing (TOVA) did not support this diagnosis. Outpatient occupational therapy program to include visual spatial and rapid decision-making skills was recommended. Upon completion of this program, a re-administration of the CBDI is recommended.