Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Cogdell
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2014, my then 3 yr. old son Preston, was diagnosed with Autism. Very soon following his diagnosis, Preston began occupational, speech, and social therapies. The specialized attention and teachings he received from therapies had a huge positive effect on his physical and social growth. I also began to better understand how he communicated and processed information.
During this time, I was a driving instructor for a private driving school in Memphis, TN. I began noticing some students struggling to follow along with the material discussed in the classroom setting. The classroom format was 4 days, 8 hours each day, with 60-75 students in class. This was completely overwhelming, overstimulating, and not conducive to learning or retaining very complex information for driving. I saw a need for a more effective driver training program designed for people who learn differently.
In 2017, I began writing dRiViNG AuTiSM. As I worked with different students needing a more detailed approach to their driver training, I started taking notes. During 2017-2019, I recorded and edited hundreds of hours of dash cam footage, in addition to over 1000 pictures of anything and everything related to driving. I studied how students I was working with at that time were processing the defensive driving method and techniques I was creating.
In 2019, I published dRiViNG AuTiSM. That same year my 1st student completed the program and became a licensed and skilled defensive driver. To date over 150 students have completed the program, becoming licensed drivers.
I spent the next 3 years building my program, making revisions to the material, and preparing to leave the people that did not support my vision.
After seven years of relentless dedication, I was able to open a physical location of my own.
In August 2024, I opened this first location @ 11124 Highway 51 N Atoka, TN 38004
I am forever grateful to all the students and families for what they have given to dRiViNG AuTiSM and myself. I’m honored to have the opportunity to work with amazing, talented, inspiring individuals.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to open Driving Autism has not been very smooth. I was told when I first began teaching my program in 2019, it would not work for the people I wanted to train could not learn to drive. I knew opening this business was my calling in life. I prayed for it to become a reality and August 2024, it did. We are a family run business, and without the sacrifices of my village this would not be possible. I am so grateful for the 4 people who have invested into this business and believing in me. I feel it is very important to surround yourself with people who care about you and your vision. We have not received any funding for the business so getting everything up and running has been extremely challenging. I am a part-time delivery driver to supplement income while increasing the business revenue. Of course, being from Memphis, hustling is in my DNA.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Driving Autism, Inc.?
Driving Autism is a defensive driver training center dedicated to simplifying the complexity of driving.
Our Mission is to encourage behaviors that are necessary to become a defensive driver by focusing on consistency. Our students are taught specific techniques to develop skills necessary to become a safe experienced defensive driver. We want to build confidence within the student to gain independence and freedom that comes with driving.
We offer classes for typical teens, adults, and a specific program designed for people with learning differences.
Our special needs program (dRiViNG AuTiSM Program) is not only for people with Autism. We have worked with people that had Cerebral Palsy, Spina bifida, Down Syndrome, and other neurological and developmental disorders.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I am blessed to have my mother as a mentor. She has worked in the industry for over 30 years. I am very grateful for the time she spends with me sharing her knowledge and experience. She currently works in the office handling all the important things from answering calls and emails to scheduling students driving appointments. At age 71, she still trains students behind the wheel. I tell them she is the best to learn from.
I am trying to figure out the whole networking part of owning a business. We participate in local events and go out to the local schools handing out brochures about our classes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://driving-autism.com
- Instagram: drivingautism
- Facebook: dRiVNG AuTiSM
- Other: (901)837-4200
