The Pulse

education Drivers Teens with attention disorders may soon have access to specialized training programs that would prevent future driving problems. Since studies have shown that individuals with Attention-Deficit Disorder and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder experience more problems on the road, CMU researchers are exploring this further – with plans to develop specialized driver education programs for this population. The CMU research suggests that current driving remediation programs for young drivers with ADHD focusing solely on driving skills does not address the core problem, says Richard Backs, director of CMU's Driving Evaluation, Education and Research Center. "We believe it is their inability to recognize and control their emotions, " he says. CMU explores reactions of drivers with attention disorders Conducting research to learn more about drivers with attention disorders is a main purpose of the Center, which opened in 2008. The DEER Center is located in the College's Carls Center. Driving evaluations take place in a controlled environment in the DEER Center using the AAA Michigan Driving Simulator, which allows people to experience driving in virtual environments. The simulator has a 180-degree forward field of view, and scenarios were created from actual vehicle footage. During simulator use, individuals' heart rate, blood pressure and breathing patterns are monitored through experiences in four separate virtual environments. Michele Oliver, a doctoral student at CMU, says this research will help confirm differences in drivers with attention disorders and those without. "The mission of the DEER Center is to keep people driving safely longer, " says Oliver. "Our hope is that we can provide programs that will ease ADD- and ADHD-related errors for these drivers. " In addition to the research component, staff and faculty in the DEER Center – located in the Health Professions Building – evaluate cognitive driving ability and assess whether it is safe for individuals to continue driving or to resume driving. • DEER Center For more information about the DEER Center, visit www.deercenter.org. pulse • November 2010 pulse • November 2010 3

• Cover