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Occupational Therapy / Driving Rehabilitation |
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Occupational Therapists (OTs) help people improve their
ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working
environments. They work with individuals who have conditions
that are physically, developmentally, mentally or emotionally
disabling. They also help them to develop, recover or maintain
daily living and work skills. Occupational therapists help
clients not only to improve their Range of Motion,
Musculo-skelatal pain, Basic Motor functions and Reasoning
Abilities, but also to compensate for permanent loss of
function. Their goal is to help clients have independent,
productive, and satisfying lives.
In our setting, Occupational Therapist (O.T) will be working
with both Adults and Pediatric clients. Some of the conditions
include:
• Upper Extremity pain including CTS, Tendinitis, Arthritis etc.
• Strengthening of UE musculature.
• Occupation and work related injuries (MSDs) of U.E.
• Coordination and Balance.
• Positioning.
• Developmental delays.
• Ergonomic issues.
Driving Rehabilitation Specialist
Occupational Therapy Driving Rehabilitation Clients entering the
program undergo an Occupational Therapy Driving Evaluation. This
evaluation consists of a clinical assessment and an on-theroad
assessment in our adapted vehicle. If driving concerns are
identified, or if training in the use of adaptive equipment is
required, a specific program of therapy is developed to decrease
the client’s driving risk. Initial assessment and discharge
progress are reviewed with the client and the referring
physician. The final decision to drive or to discontinue driving
is up to the client and the referring physician. The therapists
in the Driving Rehabilitation Program provide professional
recommendations, but, by law, cannot make the final decision.
Vehicle Modification If a client has successfully completed the
driver’s rehabilitation program and will require modifications
to their personal automobile, the Driving Program can assist in
the selection of equipment and provide guidance for having the
equipment professionally installed.
Referral Criteria
To be eligible for participation in the Driver Rehabilitation
Program, the client must:
• Be eighteen years of age or older
• Have a valid driver’s license or a temporary permit
• Be seizure free for twelve months or deemed by a physician to
have seizures under medical control
• Have a physician’s prescription requesting an Occupational
Therapy Driving Evaluation and Rehabilitation.
Driving Program provided by the Driving Rehabilitation
Specialists include:
Adaptive Driver Controls Evaluation and
Training: a wide variety of adaptive controls are
available when you can no longer drive with standard gas and
brake pedals. These range from hand controls or left-foot
accelerators to highly sensitized low-effort steering and
electronic gas and brake hand controls.
Car/ Van Evaluation: an evaluation
to identify the type of vehicle and modifications that would be
needed for individuals with disabilities who will be riding as a
passenger in a van.
Van/Driver's Evaluation: if you
would need to drive a van because you are unable to transfer
from the wheelchair to a vehicle seat and load the chair.
Van Education: for individuals who
are considering purchasing a van, but need clarification on type
of van.
Van Modification Evaluation: for individuals who own a van but
need recommendations regarding appropriate modifications for
safe driving; provides detailed driving equipment prescriptions
Driver's Training: on-the-road
training to gain skills required for safe driving.
Practice: for those who may not
require special driving controls, but need some additional
supports and on-the road practice time.
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Anupam “Al” Lahiri,
OTR/L, CEAS
Occupational Therapy Ergonomics
Driver Rehabilitation Therapy
www.therapyforus.com
You may be at risk of Driving:
• Following any illness or injury that might have affected your
driving abilities
• Spinal cord injury or any other complete or partial paralysis of
one or more limbs.
• Cerebral palsy
• High blood pressure
• Stroke or cerebral vascular accident (CVA)
• Heart disease
• Brain injury or other conditions affecting memory, judgment,
decision-making or reaction times
• Amputation of either arm/s or leg/s
• Visual problems
• Orthopedic injuries or problems like arthritis that limits
movements
• Seizures, epilepsy, blackouts, dizzy spells
• Progressive neurological disorders like muscular dystrophy or
multiple sclerosis
• If you may need adaptive equipmentto drive (for example, hand
controls),
• If there is any question of driving abilities due to emotional,
behavioral or cognitive problems including psychiatric impairments
or alcohol/drug abuse. |
