Doha: As a part of the Qatar National Research Fund research project on autism and driving in Qatar, a training workshop on autism and driving was delivered by the Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Centre (Qatar University) in collaboration with Transportation Research Institute (Hasselt University) at Mowasalat’s Karwa Driving School.
Mowasalat’s Karwa Driving School, Hamad Medical Cooperation, and Alshafallah Centre are main partners in this project. Karwa Driving School co-sponsored the workshop as part of its commitment to enhance the driver education and licensing process to meet the needs of the community with the different psychological and mental capabilities.
The workshop aimed to provide evidence-based practical techniques to driving instructors in Karwa Driving School to help them tailor and adapt their driving lessons to the needs of high functioning autistic persons.
The workshop addressed many issues about autism, characteristics of a person with high functioning autism and driving. The workshop began with presenting detailed information about autism and theoretical perspectives on autism. Besides, recommendations that can be used by driving instructors while they train high functioning autistic individuals on driving were presented.
Thirty senior driving instructors from Mowasalat’s Karwa Driving School participated in the workshop. Dr. Wael Al Hajyaseen, associate professor from Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Centre in Qatar University and the principal leader of the project, Wondwesen Mamo, a senior research assistant from Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Centre, and Hélène Dirix, a researcher from Hasselt University (Belgium), delivered the workshop which lasted for two days.
Dr. Al Hajyaseen said that it is not always easy for high functioning autistic individuals to learn how to drive and obtain a driver’s licence and not easy for those (e.g., instructor) involved in driver education process to deal with their needs. A possible explanation is that certain characteristics linked to autism may interfere with learning to drive.
Furthermore, he added that this workshop plays a role of “Train the Trainer”, where the trained driving instructors are equipment with the required knowledge and tools to deliver the same workshop to their colleagues ensuring the sustainable knowledge transfer process and building capacity within Mowasalat’s Karwa Driving School.
Faisal Al Naimi, Karwa Driving School Director, added: “It is important for us to cater to the needs of the entire society in Qatar and promote the inclusion of persons with special challenges. With this programme, we can bring them a step closer to independence while ensuring safe driving behaviour.
“I am proud that our trainers show such an enthusiasm to constantly educate themselves – we see this as our most important contribution to traffic safety in the country.”
