Driving rehabilitation is an area that occupational therapists are able to address. Some of the responsibilities of OTs in this field include to assess a client's performance skills and client factors that are needed to operate a vehicle, understand basic driving laws as it relates to driving with disabilities, and recommending and training on adaptations and adaptive equipment that can be useful in improving driving safety. As our role of OTs, we have to be dedicated to meeting the needs of our clients and help restore independence; driving evokes a sense of independence and could be necessary for someone's profession or day-to-day routine. Some common diagnoses that might be served include stroke, TBI, SCI, amputations, Alzheimer's, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, visual impairments, and intellectual disabilities.
The assessment portion occurs in two steps: clinical setting and behind the wheel. The clinical session involves a visual acuity test, roadside recognition, visual perception, cognition, and active range of motion. Some common assessments completed include grip, Trail Making A and B, and a rules of the road test. The Behind the Wheel test assesses if an individual can shift attention from one task to another and sequence properly.
Occupational Therapy Interventions
Individual: An individual intervention to complete with a client would be behind the wheel training. The OTPF mentions the importance of using occupation as a means and an end. The best way to improve a specific task is to practice that specific task. An OT and a client could go out in a car and practice driving around a parking lot first and then progressing to roadways and intersections. This is a good way to practice reading road signs, identifying hazards, and basic driving skills necessary for safe commuting.
Group: Another good intervention would be to hold a group session with the topic of driving. Some discussion points could be the importance of driving to each individual, experiences while driving, and concerns or fears that relate to driving. Come activities could be matching road signs with their meaning, discussing funny road laws, and identifying safe driving techniques.
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