ADHD and road safety

[Bringontherain]

Hi there.

Has anyone got any tips on helping children with ADHD manage road safety?
My nearly 11 year old really seems to be struggling with the basics of crossing a road safely.

It doesn’t matter how many times we practice, talk through what we can see and hear, find zebra crossings, pelican crossings etc etc, he still walks out onto a road without full awareness.

He turns his head and looks but it’s as if he just doesn’t see.

He is desperate to start going out with his mates on his own but he had a near miss today (when he didn’t notice a bike).
His friends have started to tease him about not being out on his own but he just isn’t safe crossing the roads.

Even in car parks, he’ll dance around without any awareness of cars approaching.

Any advice would be so greatly received.
Thank you

When you say DS “looks but it’s as if he just doesn’t see” do you think this is DS’s impulsivity or do you think it may be difficulties with visual perception?

Does DS take ADHD medication?

Have a look at your local independent travel training offer. Although some LAs don’t do it for 11 year olds.

He doesn’t take any medication. I think it’s probably difficulties with his visual perception.

I would look at ADHD medication.

If you think it may be related to visual perception, it is worth considering a referral to look at visual processing difficulties and cerebral visual impairment.

I will. Thank you. I’ve not heard of cerebral visual impairment.