Driving and Community Mobility

This was a very informative lecture. The material covered complemented classes we have taken recently. The main take away points from this lecture include:

·      An occupational therapist in driving and community mobility has 3 main roles 1) to assess individuals for safety and potential to drive 2) evaluate persons with physical disabilities for appropriate adaptive equipment 3) train individuals in the use of adaptive equipment and/or compensation techniques for driving.

·      The most common diagnoses include CP, intellectual disabilities, stroke, TBI, SCI, Alzheimer’s Disease, visual processing deficits, and amputations.

·      Clients’ age varies from as young as 14 to 75+ years old.

·      It is difficult for anyone to hear they can’t do something they have had the ability to do in the past, however, it is important therapists separate the feeling the situation and perform accurate evaluations because we are responsible for the safety of the affected individuals as well as everybody else on the road (including us).

·      An evaluation has 2 components – clinical evaluation and the behind the wheel assessment.

·      Driving is a multi-dimensional task – it includes vision, ROM, cognition, sensation, insight and awareness, and grip/strength.

·      Appropriate assessments used for driving and community mobility include Trailmaking Tests A and B, MoCA, SIMARD – MD.

·      Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist Therapist (CDRS) is a certification therapists should obtain in order to accurately evaluate whether individuals are competent to drive.

Two occupational therapy interventions appropriate for this topic are:

1) Prepare an individual with intellectual disabilities to driving safely by helping them learn and understand the road signs and laws of the road. This is a one-on-one intervention appropriate for anyone age 14+.

2) Hold a group therapy class where individuals with TBI discuss and work together to come up with strategies to improve their low tolerance to frustration. By working together the individuals will increase their potential for improvement as they will hold each other accountable and share helpful techniques.