Choosing the Right Car for a New Driver on the Autistic Spectrum

With diagnoses of high-functioning autistic spectrum conditions increasing since the 1980s and more and more people with those conditions reaching driving readiness, it's important to pick the right car to reduce their risk of a crash and keep them safe and comfortable on the road. I am 26, have Asperger's Syndrome, and went through the process of learning to drive and picking my first car in summer 2012. 

Automatic - Don't force a new autistic driver to learn on a stick shift. Learning a new skill, especially one as important as driving, requires concentration. People on the autism spectrum can have a "one-track" mind; while this can be great for getting something done, it means that a complex task such as driving should not be made unnecessarily difficult. Let the car do the shifting at first, and then once the autistic spectrum driver has been driving safely for a year or more maybe they can learn on a stick shift.

Ease of Controls - Choose a vehicle with a control scheme that's intuitive and easy to learn. This is a good idea for any new driver, but autistic drivers will need to focus on the social aspect of driving more and don't need to be grappling with convoluted controls while learning. Navigation systems are a good thing, but make sure they're easy to use and follow. 

Size - A tiny car may be easier to drive, but there's just not enough metal to protect a new driver in a crash. A compact (such as the size of a modern Honda Civic) is the smallest I would get; a midsize sedan, full-size sedan, or small or midsize SUV would be ideal. Something too big, such as a full-size truck or full-size SUV, may be too difficult to control for a learning driver. Some people on the autistic spectrum are relatively clumsy, and don't need a huge vehicle to manage.
Safety Features - They need to be modern. Look for good crash test ratings all around (ideally, 5 stars from NHTSA front and side and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS), advanced front airbags, side and side curtain airbags, electronic stability control, a backup camera, and a tire pressure monitor. If it has the newer accident avoidance features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot warning systems, so much the better.

Visibility - Having sufficient visual information is very important, especially to those on the autistic spectrum. Don't leave the driver guessing; a vehicle with good visibility all around helps out.

Brand - Some people on the autistic spectrum are more comfortable with a certain brand or group of brands; maybe it's what they're used to, maybe they just happen to jibe well, etc. Control schemes will often be fairly similar from one model to another within a brand, and within several model years within that brand; for instance, a 2011 Honda Accord (my car) will have similar controls to most modern (2000 and newer) Hondas and Acuras. Obviously, there are some vehicles that would be impractical, but if the autistic new driver "gets along" with, for example, a Ford's control scheme the best, then a Ford-built vehicle may be the best option.
The Car Itself - Needs to be something reliable and practical.