Drivers who have
had a change in status either physically or cognitively because of illness,
injury or aging, can have their driving skills assessed by an occupational
therapist with New England Rehabilitation
Hospital of Portland. The occupational therapist who conducts the evaluation
works in collaboration with the client's physician, family, and therapy treatment
team (as applicable) to provide a comprehensive two-part assessment process
in a non-threatening environment.
The first part of the assessment includes examining cognitive abilities, such as sign recognition, problem solving, memory, sequencing and direction following; vision and peception, including, spatial relations, right/left discrimination, acuity, depth perception, and peripheral vision; physical abilities, such as joint range of motion, muscle strength, tone coordination, balance, sensation, endurance and level of functional mobility; and indoor driving simulation, which looks at reaction time and driver performance skills.
The second part of the exam is an on-road evaluation. The behind-the-wheel assessment is conducted to determine a client's abilities relative to the actual task of driving and the use of adaptive equipment (as needed). The assessment takes place in a driving school vehicle equipped with an instructor's brake and adaptive equipment. A feedback session takes place after the evaluation and written recommendations are provided as needed.