Driving Performance of Experienced Young Adult Drivers with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder While Listening to Music on Two Scenarios: Hazards versus Wayfinding

Abstract

This study explored the effect of music on the driving performance of experienced young adult drivers with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using an interactive driving simulator with two types of scenarios. A 2 (Group: autism/neurotypical) × 2 (Music: music/no music) × 2 (Scenario: hazards/wayfinding) factorial design was used with the order of scenarios and music conditions counterbalanced. Participants were 34 neurotypical drivers and 5 drivers with ASD, all with at least 3 years of driving experience. Paired sample t-tests demonstrated no effect of music for any condition. Overall, the drivers with ASD had higher performance means than the neurotypical group with significant differences in the wayfinding scenario and the category for following regulations. Neurotypical drivers had better performance on the wayfinding scenario than the hazard scenario in maneuvers and being attentive to the environment. Although this study had a low number of drivers with ASD, it suggests drivers with ASD can perform better than neurotypical drivers, possibly because they follow road rule guidelines more consistently than neurotypical peers. In addition, this is the first study to examine wayfinding skills in teens/young adults with and without ASD.

Keywords:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• driving
• self-selected music
• experienced drivers
• high functioning autism
• wayfinding
• hazard drive

Acknowledgments

This study was completed as part of a master’s degree thesis at East Carolina University. Funds to complete the study were received from the College of Allied Health Sciences for incentives ($2460).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the East Carolina University’s College of Allied Health Sciences Thesis/Dissertation Research Grant Program.