A Comparative Study of Driving Performance Among Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurotypical Adolescents
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Assessment of executive functions and attention, Evaluation on a driving simulator, Evaluation on-road.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorders. Basic parameters: 15 years — 17 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- France
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
The primary objective of this study is to compare the number of driving errors made by novice adolescents (0-5 hours of driving instruction) with ASD to those made by neurotypical adolescents during a standardized driving simulator assessment. The secondary objectives of the study are to: * Compare the visual strategies used by adolescents with ASD to those of neurotypical adolescents during a driving assessment on a simulator. * Compare the types of errors and driving performance (i.e., speed, reaction time, following distance, and braking distance) of adolescents with ASD to those of neurotypical adolescents during the driving simulator assessment. * Compare the driving performance of these two groups during a real-world road assessment using the TRIP scale. * Examine the consistency between driving performance measured in the simulator and that observed in real-world conditions for both groups. * Compare the anxiety levels of these two groups during driving tests on the simulator and on the road.
Interventions
- Other Assessment of executive functions and attention
* Attention Assessment Test (TAP), * Trail Making Test (TMT), which assesses mental flexibility, * Stroop Selective Attention Test, assessing the ability to inhibit automatic processes, * Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WSCT-modified), assessing abstract reasoning and the ability to change cognitive strategies in response to changes in the environment. - Other Evaluation on a driving simulator
The 1-hour simulator assessment will be preceded by a 1.5-hour orientation session. The simulator used is the Rehab Evolution, manufactured by Develter Innovation. - Other Evaluation on-road
The on-road evaluation will be conducted using a dual-control vehicle, with a certified driving instructor and an occupational therapist. The evaluation will last one hour.
Primary outcome measures
- Assessment of driving errors in various scenarios using a driving simulator. [Time frame: At enrollment]
Secondary outcome measures (5)
- Visual exploration [Time frame: At enrollment]
- Driving performance on the simulator [Time frame: At enrollment]
- Driving performance on-road [Time frame: At enrollment]
- Anxiety - State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Y-form [Time frame: At enrollment]
- Assessment of executive functions and attention [Time frame: At enrollment]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
ASD Group
- Adolescents aged 15 to 17,
- With a confirmed diagnosis of ASD by a physician,
- Without an intellectual disability, with a Fluid Reasoning Index (IRF) greater than 80,
- Who have passed the written driver's license exam,
- With no or very limited driving experience (<5 hours),
- Enrolled in the social security system.
Neurotypical group:
- Adolescents aged 15 to 17,
- Without a diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders or learning disabilities,
- With a standard educational background,
- Who have passed the written driver's license exam,
- With no or very limited driving experience (<5 hours),
- Enrolled in the social security system.
Exclusion criteria
- Adolescents with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and/or ODD (oppositional defiant disorder) and/or IDD (intellectual disability) and/or SLI (specific language impairment) with associated comprehension difficulties,
- Adolescents who already have a driver's license,
- Adolescents currently taking driving lessons and/or with more than 5 hours of driving experience,
- Adolescents who have suffered a head injury during childhood,
- Other serious medical conditions that may interfere with participation in the sessions,
- Participation in another research protocol.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Other
Study locations
France · 1 center
- Hôpital La Musse — Saint-Sébastien-de-Morsent
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07630298 · 2025-A02129-40