Autism Health

02/21/2026

Chapter 1 just got an update 💛

We’re diving deeper into the real-life barriers to driving — this time through the eyes of occupational and physical therapists who work with autistic teens and adults every day.

Part 1 is short and super readable: Who are these therapists, and why do they matter for your driving journey?

And on Monday… Part 2 drops — and it’s a big one. Tons of companion resources and practical, at-home steps you can actually start using.

If driving independence is on your mind (for you or someone you love), you’ll want to read this. Click through and join us on the journey

We are deep into Chapter 1 Barriers to Driving. I’m exploring the topic from all viewpoints (we’ve heard from autistic teens and adults, their families, and driving instructors) and today I’d like to weigh in on what occupational and physical therapists observe in the autistic clients they wor...

02/13/2026

We're continuing to work our way through Chapter 1 Perceived Barriers to Driving, and we're hearing from different viewpoints. We've listened to autistic teens and adults, their parents, and now we're asking driving instructors what they see in their autistic students. Blog Post #6 is up with two companion articles! Links are in the comments.

02/03/2026

Check out the new blog post #5, plus it has links to five more companion articles! Link is in the comments.

01/30/2026

New blog posts up! Links are in the comments.

01/28/2026

I’m excited to invite you along as I spend the next 6–12 months blogging my newest book:
Behind the Wheel with Autism
Identifying and removing barriers to driving for autistic teens and adults

Learning to drive can feel overwhelming—particularly when systems, environments, and instruction aren’t designed with autistic teens and adults in mind. Behind the Wheel with Autism was created to change that.

This blog is all about breaking down systemic and personal barriers to driving:
• building confidence behind the wheel
• addressing co-occurring health factors that affect focus and clarity
• understanding how sensory needs, executive functioning, vision differences, coordination, anxiety, medications, and other factors can impact the driving experience
• supporting independence at your pace

Whether you’re an autistic teen or adult thinking about driving, a parent or caregiver looking for guidance, or an educator wanting better tools, this space is for you. Including autistic voices and experiences, consulting the latest research, and drawing upon my experience as an autism mom, clinician, speaker and author, we’ll explore actionable steps, have honest conversations, and share encouragement—without pressure or judgment.

Each post will be a piece of the book in progress: honest, accessible, and grounded in the belief that driving should be a choice, not an impossible hurdle.

If you care about independence, access, and opening doors to mobility, I’d love for you to join me—follow along as we turn this blog into a book together—and open the road to more possibilities.

(Link in the first comment)

12/16/2025

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't know where to start? CHAT WITH THE AUTHOR may be just the thing!
Booking now for January 2026!
https://janetlintala.com/chat-with-the-author/

08/13/2025

01/24/2025

Thoughts? I thought it was simply a heartfelt gesture.

The symptoms of autism spectrum disorder are widely misunderstood. Here's what experts and advocates want you to know.

11/16/2024

Available online at Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, and Books-a-Million.

Coming soon in Spanish!

10/27/2024

I’m excited to see “Captain Autism” tonight. Standup comedy at the Raleigh Improv! 🎭

09/30/2024

Wishing everyone a beautiful Monday to kick off their week!
☀️🌝🌞

09/22/2024

A great resource for autistic teens and adults who drive, or plan to drive!