Driver's Licence
The moment when a teenager earns his/her driver's licence is one of the highlights of his/her life. The independence of driving is a big step in any teen's life. Any parent needs to assess whether the youth is ready to handle the responsibility. When dealing with teenagers with TS/TS+, and especially if ADHD is an issue, you may need to exercise particular caution when it comes to handing over the car keys. You know your teenager. You will have a good sense of whether he/she is ready to try for his/her license. Here are some strategies and suggestions for setting your teenager up for success when he is ready to drive:
- Enroll your teenager in a driver education class that includes a driving test as part of the course. A trained instructor can fully assess your teenager's readiness to drive on his/her own. If your teen is not ready to drive, then an impartial third party ..not you.. is giving him/her the message.
- If you are concerned about the combination of your teenager's tics or other symptoms and driving, talk to the driving instructor about your concerns. Any reputable driving instructor will be able to tell you if your teenager is a safe driver.
- Most road tests are less than twenty minutes in length. If ADHD is an issue with your teenager, you may want to arrange for a longer simulated test with a trained instructor to ensure that your teenager's concentration is adequate. You will want to arrange for this session before your teenager books his road test to get his/her license.
- Teach your teenager to drive without using the cruise control. With the cruise control on, some drivers may allow their minds to go on "automatic." Inexperienced drivers who may also have attention issues can end up in situations in which they forget to brake.
- Require your teenager to drive for at least nine to twelve months on his/learner's permit (some provinces have adapted "graduated license programs" that require additional time for everyone) before you allow him/her to try for the full license.
- Enforce a "no cell phone" rule. If your teenager needs to make a call he/she should find a safe place to park off the road to make the call.
- Teach your teenager to plan his/her trips. Have him/her work out directions before he/she leaves home so that he/she can focus on driving instead of directions. Have him/her discuss each trip with a parent before leaving.
- Restrict the number of passengers, and choose passengers carefully. Passengers can be very distracting. A teenage driver with attention difficulties needs to have his/her full attention on driving, not discussing the upcoming dance with his/her friends or on stopping his younger siblings from arguing in the back seat.
