Take your Vocational Rehabilitation with ASD Drive Ready. We teach students with ADHD/anxiety to drive in a safe-to-fail environment.

Vocational Rehabilitation / Step Up

Virtual reality safe driving technique training for individuals with ASD, ADHD/and anxiety, in a safe-to-fail environment.

Our goal is simple: help new drivers build confidence and real-world readiness, step by step, without the pressure.

Who Qualifies

  • Autistic teens and adults
  • Clients with ADHD and/or driving anxiety
  • Individuals working toward learner's permits or looking to build pre-driving readiness (visual scanning, hazard awareness, decision-making, stress regulation)

You do not need a learner's permit to start our pre-driving training.

How Funding Works

Already a VR client?

  1. Tell your counselor you want safe driving technique training with ASD Driver Ready (we're an approved vendor).
  2. Your counselor submits an authorization/purchase order to us.
  3. We schedule your intake and sessions once the authorization is in.
  4. We invoice VR directly-no payment needed from you.

Not a VR client yet?

  1. Start by clicking here
  2. During your intake, request safe driving technique training with ASD Driver Ready.
  3. When your counselor issues the authorization, we'll get you on the calendar.

Tip: If helpful, copy/paste this note to your counselor:
"I'd like to use my VR services for safe driving technique training with ASD Driver Ready (approved VR vendor). Please authorize sessions so I can schedule."

How Step Up for Students (Unique Abilities Scholarship) works

If you have a UA scholarship and want to use it for pre-driving/driver readiness:

  1. Confirm your award status in the Step Up portal.
  2. Add ASD Driver Ready as a provider (if needed).
  3. Request pre-approval/authorization for safe driving technique training.
  4. We schedule sessions and provide attendance/receipts per Step Up's process.

Program rules can change. If you're unsure how to set this up, reach out-we'll help you navigate or point you to the right Step Up contact.

What to Expect

  • Intake (about 45 min): goals, sensory/attention profile, baseline skills
  • Sessions (typically 60 min): safe-to-fail VR scenarios, coaching, repeatable reps
  • Skills we target: hazard detection, visual scanning, working memory, stress regulation, decision-making at speed, and "what to do next" routines
  • Progress updates: simple, parent-friendly notes and next steps
  • Pacing: we go as slow as needed or as fast as the student is capable of; no shaming, no surprises - just safe, positive, encouragement

Cost Payment

  • VR-funded clients: We invoice Voc Rehab directly once we have authorization.
  • Step Up Clients: We follow your portal's process (pre-approval + documentation).
  • Private Pay: If you don't have funding yet, you can see our current rates under the Services tab.

Next Steps

For families:

  • If you have a VR counselor, email them to request authorization (copy the note above).
  • If you don't, we'll help you get started.
  • Ready to book an intake? Call or email us.

For schools/transition programs:

  • Have a group of students who'd benefit? We can come to you.
  • We'll coordinate space/power needs, scheduling, and VR paperwork with your team.
  • Quick exploratory call = we'll tell you exactly what's needed.

 

                                                                    

Where we train

In-office: We can meet clients at our Gainesville or Orlando offices.

On-site (for groups): We can also bring our portable training system to schools and programs when there's a group of students.

Bring us to your school

Have a transition program that meets with a Voc Rehab advisor?

  • We can bring the training to your classroom. We'll coordinate with your school team and/or VR counselors to make scheduling easy.
  • Curious if this would work for your school? Give us a call and we'll walk through logistics and next steps.

FAQs

Do I need a learner's permit?

No. Many clients start with pre-driving readiness (visual scanning, hazard awareness, decision-making, stress regulation) before they ever take the permit test.

Where do sessions happen?

At our Gainesville and Orlando offices. For groups (e.g., school transition programs), we can bring our portable system on-site.

Can parents/guardians sit in?

Yes, please do. You'll see the coaching and language we use so you can reinforce the same routines at home. We also offer parent coaching so you can support practice drives later.

What if my student gets anxious?

We work with anxiety every day. We go slow, tune intensity to comfort, and build wins early. Most students move from anxious to excited to participate within the first few sessions.

What if my student gets motion sick in VR?

We custom-tune speed, traffic, visuals, and session length. If motion sickness still prevents participation, we refund any monies paid for that program block. (Happens rarely, but you're covered.)

Is this a "driving school"?

We're a licensed commercial driving school in Florida focused on pre-driving readiness and safe-driving technique training. We don't do in-car lessons, but we regularly coordinate with behind-the-wheel schools to help clients transition smoothly. We also coach parents on how to drive with their teen/young adult.

Do you help with permits (TLSAE, Class E/knowledge exam)?

Yes-prep support. We can help students prepare for TLSAE and the Florida Class E knowledge exam (sometimes offered through school/District testing programs). We do not administer those courses or exams ourselves.

How long until Voc Rehab authorization?

It varies by counselor caseload. Once Florida Vocational Rehabilitation sends us the authorization, we can schedule quickly. If you already have a counselor, ask them to authorize "safe driving technique training with ASD Driver Ready" (we're an approved vendor).

Do I have to be a Voc Rehab client to enroll?

No. We accept Voc Rehab, Step Up, and private pay. If you're not yet connected to funding, we'll point you to the right place to start.

How long is each session, and how many will we need?

Ongoing sessions are typically 60 minutes. Total sessions vary by client; some complete a short series, others benefit from a longer progression.

What skills do you target?

Visual scanning, hazard detection, "what-to-do-next" routines, working memory at speed, decision-making in traffic, and stress-regulation strategies.

Accessibility-glasses/sensory needs?

We can accommodate glasses and adjust audio/visual input, seating, and pacing to match sensory profiles.