SCC-CIVIC-FA Track B: Community Informed AI-Based Vehicle Technology Simulator with Behavioral Strategies to Advance Neurodiverse Independence and Employment

在美国，每36个人中就有一人患有自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）。在美国，每年大约有7万名自闭症儿童成为自闭症成年人，他们在独立生活、社区参与和就业方面面临着一连串令人沮丧的统计数据。据估计，到2025年，支持就业前景有限的美国自闭症患者的成本将增长到每年4610亿美元。解决这一公民挑战的一个关键是就业；大约85%的自闭症成年人没有充分就业，自闭症成年人将就业视为改善生活质量的首要关注点。然而，自闭症患者获得工作机会和独立生活的主要障碍是缺乏交通独立性；只有不到30%的适龄自闭症患者有驾驶执照。授予范德比尔特大学的CIVIC Stage 2奖项将支持该团队基于人工智能的车辆技术模拟器与行为策略（AI-VTSBS）系统的快速试点部署，该系统专门为ASD人群设计，包括一个具有基于人工智能的分析和反馈的虚拟现实驾驶模拟器，以及建立在驾驶认知行为干预基础上的课程，以满足这一关键的公民需求。该项目将开展以社区为基础的参与性研究，包括多个利益攸关方，以使AI-VTSBS系统适应多种就业环境和与利益攸关方社区相关的多种就业结果。由范德比尔特大学及其合作伙伴圣地亚哥州立大学领导的团队将在第一阶段的工作基础上，与多种类型的公民合作伙伴和支持提供者（包括社区职业培训中心、行为健康诊所和中学）进行全面的第二阶段试点部署，以建立一个有效、低成本、可商业化的综合驾驶指导平台和课程。其价值主张是为自闭症患者提供更多的独立性和更多的职业选择。第二阶段的研究试点项目将使用涉及探索、准备、实施和维持（EPIS）的实施科学框架，以定性和定量方法具体评估和试点测试部署因素。此外，AI-VTSBS技术也可以推广到成人自闭症患者之外；大约六分之一的人有相关的神经发育障碍（如多动症）或暂时的认知障碍（如创伤性脑损伤），这对交通独立表现出类似的挑战。CIVIC第二阶段的工作将通过范德比尔特大学自闭症与创新第一中心与NSF神经多样性启发科学与工程（NISE）的NRT项目相结合，从而为学生提供跨学科研究和翻译方面的高级培训。CIVIC是能源部、国土安全部和国家科学基金会的联合合作项目。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

One in 36 individuals in the US has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Each year in the US, approximately 70,000 autistic children become autistic adults and face a litany of disheartening statistics regarding independent living, community participation, and employment. The estimated cost of supporting Americans with autism having limited employment prospects will grow to $461 billion per year by 2025. One key to addressing this civic challenge is employment; some 85 percent of autistic adults are un/under-employed, and adults with autism rate employment as their top concern for improved quality of life. However, a major impediment for autistic individuals to access work opportunities and a life of independence, is lack of independence with transportation; fewer than 30 percent of driving-age autistic individuals are licensed to drive. The CIVIC Stage 2 award to Vanderbilt University will support the rapid pilot deployment of the team’s AI-based Vehicle Technology Simulator with Behavioral Strategies (AI-VTSBS) system, specifically designed for the ASD population – comprising a virtual-reality driving simulator with artificial intelligence-based analysis and feedback, together with a curriculum built on a cognitive behavioral intervention for driving – to address this critical civic need. The project will perform community-based participatory research including multiple stakeholders to make the AI-VTSBS system adaptable to use within multiple employment contexts and multiple employment outcomes of relevance to stakeholder communities. The team led by Vanderbilt University and partner San Diego State University will build on its work on Stage 1 and will conduct a full Stage 2 pilot deployment with multiple types of civic partners and support providers – including community-based vocational training centers, behavioral health clinics, and secondary schools – toward an effective, low-cost, commercializable, integrated driving-instruction platform and curriculum, with a value proposition that offers increased independence and expanded career options for autistic people. The Stage 2 research pilot project will use an implementation science framework involving Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment (EPIS) to specifically assess and pilot-test deployment factors with both qualitative and quantitative methods. Additionally, the AI-VTSBS technology may also be generalizable beyond adults with autism; some 1 in 6 people have a related neurodevelopmental disability (e.g., ADHD) or temporary cognitive impairment (e.g., traumatic brain injury) that manifest similar challenges for transportation independence. The CIVIC Stage 2 work will be integrated with the NSF NRT program in Neurodiversity Inspired Science & Engineering (NISE) through Vanderbilt University’s Frist Center for Autism & Innovation, thus providing advanced training for students in interdisciplinary research and translation.CIVIC is a joint collaboration with Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, and the National Science FoundationThis award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.