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Driving Reflection

What were the key takeaway points from the guest lecture today? 
A few key takeaways from the Cody Stovall’s driving rehab presentation included the purposes of adaptive driving programs and what to look for during a driving assessment.  Driving programs assess individuals for safety and potential to drive, evaluate physical disability for adaptive equipment, and train individuals in the use of AE and/or compensation techniques for driving.  We discussed the components of clinical evaluations and behind-the-wheel assessments.  We discussed all the cognitive and physical skills required to drive.  This was very helpful because most of us who have been driving for years and years do not think about the attention, divided attention, vision, executive functioning and more skills it really takes.  Luckily, there are many adaptive devices and compensatory strategies to assist those who lack the natural abilities to drive.  While there are very expensive lifts and adaptive equipment for cars, I was surprised to learn about the many inexpensive options.  As an OT regardless of the setting, I will most likely need to assess an individual’s ability to drive.  I now have more knowledge on what skills to assess and questions to ask clients to ensure they are safe to drive.   

 OT interventions:
1. Individual: Applying adaptive equipment such as widened rear view and blind spot mirrors can expand an individual’s visual field and increase safety while driving and merging lanes.  This could help a wide variety of patients such as someone with a fused cervical spine or partially blocked visual field.
2. Group: An OT could hold a “crash course” on driving for older adults who are at risk for unsafe driving.  This could include individuals with any age-related changes that are impairing their ability to drive. The course would include client education on safe distance from airbag (10 inches), appropriate height for good line of sight above steering wheel (3 inches), proper seat belt fitting, adjusted mirrors, and other compensatory techniques to enhance driving abilities.

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