HOUSTON – Being able to drive is something most of us might take for granted but for the kids of Social Motion Skills, just taking driver's ed can be a challenge.
“Our students tend to learn differently. It's not that they are not able or capable of driving, it's that for them to really master the skill set that one needs to drive safely, they need to learn a different way,” said Wendy Dawson.
Dawson founded Social Motion Skills seven years ago after discovering a lack of support programs for her stepson, Cameron, who has autism.
Two years later, in 2012, Cameron was coming up on 16 and brought up driver’s ed. That, in turn, led to the creation of their Driver’s Ed at Your Speed program which is designed to help overcome some of the educational challenges facing its participants. It also allows for the time needed to overcome some of the fear that comes with getting behind the wheel -- not just for the kids but also for parents, such as those of Kaitlan Winkler.
“I wasn't really ready to drive because I'm on the spectrum. It's hard to tell with me but I easily get distracted and it's hard to, like, follow directions and everything so they were kind of afraid that would affect me on the road,” said Kaitlan.
So when they finally relented four years after her 16th birthday, “I did a dance in my head. I was, like, 'Woo hoo,'” she said.
“Having a driver's license is almost essential. You really can't survive in our day-to-day world without having a license,” said Will Thornton.
As the lead driving instructor with Safeway Driving, out of Katy, Will has helped a number of these students develop their skills out on the road.
“You go slower. You take things one at a time. You just kind of have to keep building on them,” says Will.
“I'm one step closer to being an independent person because I've had help most of my life, like, I've had my parents help me, I've had my teachers help me and I'm grateful for that but I feel like inside it's time for me to kind of get some wings and start flying,” said Kaitlan.
Anybody can take part in the Social Motion Skills’ program. All you need to do is inquire here.