Driving Rehabilitation In Houston
Community Mobility is defined as “planning and moving around in the community using public or private transportation, such as driving, walking, bicycling, or accessing and riding in buses, taxi cabs, ride shares, or other transportation systems” (AJOT, 2020, p. 31).
Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in enhancing community mobility by helping individuals with disabilities, injuries, or age-related challenges to navigate their environments safely and independently to return to meaningful activities outside of their home. This includes going to a coffee shop, work, church, shopping, and much more!
Neurability can provide interventions such as:
- Training in the use of assistive devices
- Practicing car transfers
- Teaching navigation skills using public transportation or apps
- Discussing vehicle modifications recommendations that may make it easier for you or a loved one to hit the road as a driver or passenger
- Providing clinical testing to determine readiness to drive
Following the clinical assessment, the individual is referred to a local facility that administers the behind-the-wheel testing, if appropriate.
What is the clinical driving assessment?
This comprehensive assessment is performed by a certified rehab driving specialist. We’ll assess the physical, cognitive, and visual skills needed to drive safely.
When should I consider requesting a clinical driving assessment?
Clinical driving assessments are designed for individuals aged 18 and older who, along with their families or caregivers, have concerns about their ability to drive safely.
If you experienced a significant change to your mental or physical status, you should consider an assessment. These changes could be a factor of:
- Stroke
- Spinal cord injury
- Brain injury
- Seizure
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Any medical condition impacting your vision, cognition, or physical ability to drive
What does a clinical driving assessment look like?
Your certified driving rehab specialist will evaluate visual, cognitive, and physical skills including but not limited to the following:
Vision Skills
- Field of vision
- Depth perception
- Sign recognition
- Visual-spatial, perceptual, attention, and memory skills
Cognitive Skills
- Short and long-term memory
- Alternating attention
- Orientation and navigation
- Processing speed
Physical Skills
- Lower extremity strength, proprioception and reaction time
- Arm movement and strength
- Hand strength and finger mobility
- Trunk mobility and rotation
- Transfers
What is the cost?
Clinical driving assessments may be covered by insurance as an occupational therapy evaluation. As needed, we can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. Though we do not provide behind-the-wheel driving assessments, this would be an additional cost when referred to another provider.
Assessment & Recommendations
We may recommend a formal behind-the-wheel or on-road driving evaluation. These types of evaluations are not provided by Neurability Therapy. If appropriate, we will provide recommendations for providers to complete the behind-the-wheel or on-road driving evaluation.
How do I request a referral?
Request a referral from your doctor who is part of your care. The referring provider should indicate “OT evaluation and treat – pre-driving evaluation” on the referral.
How do I request a referral?
Request a referral from your PCP or any other physician who is a part of your care. The referring provider should indicate “OT evaluation and treat – pre-driving eval” on the referral to better ensure your insurance will cover this service.
Adele a Brassard
Beverly is extremely caring and thoroughly professional. She is genuinely concerned about the patient, and full of great suggestions for the patient’s development.
Erin Galicki
Neurability provides exceptional in-home therapy. The team uses a personalized approach to help you meet your goals. Highly recommend!