Staying Focused: How To Help Your Teen With ADHD Become A Better Driver

Photo via Pixabay by Gornostai_Nastya

Most teens have trouble at some point in their lives with concentration and focus, which is worrisome for parents when they get a license to drive. There are projects they can do to help with this, but it can still be an overwhelming time for parents when their child has ADHD, however, because a teen who is easily distracted is a hazard to themselves and others when they’re on the road. There’s no reason your teen can’t become a good driver who focuses on the task at hand, but the truth is, for many people with ADHD, learning to drive takes much longer than it does for others. 

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help your teen overcome these issues and work to become a safe driver. Arm yourself with a good plan and remember to stay patient, as teaching a teen to be safe behind the wheel can be a frustrating experience. 

Here are some of the best tips on how to help your child understand the importance of safety and following the rules. 

Set some guidelines

Because ADHD can cause impulsivity, distractibility, and inattention, it’s extremely important that your teen understands the responsibility of driving a car. Set some guidelines and talk about your own rules in addition to the state’s laws for drivers. This includes not texting or being on the phone while driving, never driving under the influence, not engaging in any behavior that could be a distraction while behind the wheel (such as listening to loud music), and following the rules you put into place. 

If music helps your child focus, consider helping him create a playlist on an MP3 player that will play continuously, with no need to change CDs or scroll through a phone.

Make treatment a priority

Many kids with ADHD take medication or have other treatments, and it’s important to talk to them about staying on top of their dosage so they’ll be able to concentrate while driving. 

Talk to your teen about his experience

After your teen has had a little experience with driving–or practicing–talk to him about what his challenges are. What are the biggest distractions he experiences in the car? Is reading an issue?

“Reading issues are more likely to cause problems once a teen is behind the wheel. It can be hard to read road signs quickly and to scan the dashboard or GPS device for information. Many people with reading issues have trouble processing all kinds of visual information. Juggling all these tasks, while also watching for pedestrians and other cars, can be challenging,” writes Peg Rosen.

Help him practice

The best way to help your teen get to where he’s comfortable behind the wheel is to help him practice. When he exhibits good behavior at school and at home or does well in class, reward him with so many minutes of driving time. Take the car to a safe place–a big, empty parking lot is perfect–and give your teen clear instructions on how to proceed with parking and maneuvering the car. Once he gets his permit, take him to a road that is relatively free of traffic and let him practice there, too. 

It’s also a good idea to make sure your teen is comfortable with driving in all sorts of weather, especially if you live in a particularly rainy city or one that gets a lot of snow and ice. 

It’s important to remember that driving can be overwhelming for your teen, too, and not just for you. Don’t forget to talk to him about how he’s feeling, what his fears may be, and what you can do to make the experience a little easier for him.