Citation

Classen S, Monahan M, Brown KE, Hernandez S. Can. J. Occup. Ther. 2013; 80(5): 274-283.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

24640642

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle crashes are leading causes of death among teens. Those teens with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or a dual diagnosis of ADHD/ASD have defining characteristics placing them at a greater risk for crashes.

PURPOSE: This study examined the between-group demographic, clinical, and simulated driving differences in teens, representing three diagnostic groups, compared to healthy controls (HCs).

METHOD: In this prospective observational study, we used a convenience sample of teens recruited from a variety of community settings.

FINDINGS: Compared to the 22 HCs (mean age = 14.32, SD = +/-.72), teen drivers representing the diagnostic groups (ADHD/ASD, n = 6, mean age = 15.00, SD = +/-.63; ADHD, n = 9, mean age = 15.00, SD = +/- 1.00; ASD, n = 7, mean age = 15.14, SD = +/-. 1.22) performed poorer on visual function, visual-motor integration, cognition, and motor performance and made more errors on the driving simulator. IMPLICATIONS: Teens from diagnostic groups have more deficits driving on a driving simulator and may require a comprehensive driving evaluation.

Language: en