Parents of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) know that kids with the condition act impulsively. A new study finds that children with ADHD have a greater chance of being hit by a car in a pedestrian accident, because they are easily distracted.
According to National Mental Health America, 4.4 million U.S. children have been diagnosed with ADHD. With the improved recognition and diagnosis of ADHD the number continues to increase. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, some of the key behaviors of children with ADHD are:
- Inattention and difficulty paying attention
- Physical hyperactivity
- Impulsivity
For children with ADHD these behaviors are more severe and occur more often than is normal for children their age. A child must have symptoms for at least 6 months to be diagnosed with the disorder. The condition may affect a child's ability to succeed in school, and studies have found children with ADHD are more likely to be injured.
Children with ADHD Cross Streets with Less Time to Spare
A study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham sought to compare pedestrian risks for children with ADHD. The researchers asked children with ADHD and a control group to cross busy streets while in a reality simulator. All of the children understood traffic safety and pedestrian rules, but the ADHD-students were more prone to walk into a smaller gap in traffic. This created a higher risk of being hit by a car.
The authors of the study found that the ADHD-students had appropriate curb-side behavior and looked right and left to see if traffic was coming. The difference was when they choose to cross. The children with ADHD were more likely to dart across the road leaving less spare time in front of oncoming traffic. Because of the crossing behavior, children with ADHD had more close calls.
The authors recommend better screening for ADHD and suggest that parents spend extra time teaching a child with ADHD safe crossing skills. Kids with ADHD are more likely to take risks, and they need to understand the dangers of road crossings.
