Adaptive Driving Assessment Lecture Reflection

When hearing from our guest lecture on Monday, I learned so much and gained so much insight into what an adaptive driving assessment is. One key take away of this lecture, and an important thing to note, was the purpose of an adaptive driving program. There are 3 purposes of an adaptive driving program, which include assessing individuals for safety and potential to drive, evaluating persons with physical disabilities for appropriate adaptive equipment, and training individuals in the use of adaptive equipment and/or compensation.

            We also discussed common diagnoses that may be seen in this setting and what you may expect to see when evaluating and treating individuals with those diagnoses. For example, we discussed how individuals who have had a stroke may present with spasticity on one side of the body where they will want to drive with only one hand, as well as may present with neglect causing them to possibly change lanes out of nowhere. Another example is an individual with cerebral palsy may not have not have an integrated startle reflex, which could cause him or her to release the wheel if another car back fires or a horn sounds.

            Lastly, we discussed the evaluation process which includes the clinical evaluation and the behind-the-wheel evaluation. The clinical evaluation is done in order to gain knowledge on what the client’s deficits may be and to see what they are like when fatigued before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Some assessments that could be administered during the clinical evaluation are visual screening and perception tests, cognitive assessments, AROM and sensation testing, grip strength, Trail making part A and part B, a rules of the road test, and testing of insight and awareness. The behind-the-wheel evaluation begins with the getting into the vehicle and progressing to becoming familiar with the care, then to driving in a parking lot, in light traffic, in heavy traffic, and finally to the interstate.

            Some interventions that can be done for an individual are placing reference points on the hood of the car, marking numbers on the speedometer, or making any other adaptions that may be needed due to the client’s deficits. Another intervention is leading a group session for clients who may not be able to drive quiet yet, but are progressing towards being able to drive. This will give these clients that opportunity to express their mental health as well as work on activities that would continue to progress their abilities. One more intervention that could be done is educating doctors on adaptive driving programs and their importance.