Driving
with ADHD: Teenagers behind the Wheel
 Eventually,
your ADHD child will want to learn how to drive, and it’s
no surprise that statistically, people with attention difficulties
have an increased risk of unsafe driving habits. Experts believe
these unsafe habits may stem from the typical symptoms of
ADHD such as impulsive behavior, easy distractibility, lack
of concentration, and varied regulation of responses. For
some patients, ADHD
behavior modification therapy has been shown to improve
the high-risk symptoms of ADHD, but parents should still be
aware of the behaviors that could endanger a teenager’s
driving skills. As you teach your ADHD teenager to drive,
watch out for the following warning signs:
- Failure to observe
signs and signals
- Failure to yield the
right of way
- Poor eye/hand/foot
coordination
- Failure to observe
all areas around the car
- Slow response
- Inappropriate speeds
- Easy distraction by
conversation, sights, sounds, etc.
According
to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD teenagers
experience nearly four times as many automobile accidents
during their first 2 to 5 years of driving. The ADHD
teenager also receives three times more citations for
speeding than his or her non-ADHD peers.
Since
driving is a complex activity requiring many demands on a
person’s attention, ADHD teens may need extra help and
instruction while they learn the rules of the road. Enroll
your teen in driving rehabilitation classes, and find a class
especially for people with ADHD, if possible. A professional
driving school should be able to help you locate the most
appropriate class or classes for your teenager.
|
