The focus in occupational therapy is helping people of all ages participate in the world around them in meaningful ways. Occupational therapists assist in the development of independence in daily living. While the needs and outcomes for each age group differ, the focus remains the same. From infants and children with special needs to aging adults, occupational therapists develop meaningful interventions that create a greater quality of life for patients.

Maintaining Community Mobility for All Ages

Community mobility is defined by The American Occupational Therapy Association as “moving around in the community and using public or private transportation, such as driving, walking, bicycling, or accessing and riding in buses, taxi cabs, or other transportation systems. … Community mobility is grounded in independence, spontaneity, and identity.”

Occupational therapists focused on developing interventions for greater independence in daily activities are natural fits when the need arises to address driving and community mobility. While each patient is different, with unique needs across a range of long-term goals, interventions may vary widely. In addressing community mobility, occupational therapy interventions may include restoring strength and range of motion; cognitive development; utilizing vehicle modifications; practice utilizing public transportation; and developing community care networks.

For infants, occupational therapists can work with special restraint devices in vehicles; similarly for adults with special needs who need assistance securing young children. Young adults with cognitive delays, losses of physical functions, and those dealing with acute traumas or illnesses can seek assistance of occupational therapists to determine transportation strategies and build pre-driving skills.

Older adults and seniors often are referred to occupational therapists when acute or chronic conditions begin to impact their abilities to perform activities for daily living. The goal is to identify tools, strategies and interventions that allow older adults to “drive safer, longer.” If driving is no longer an option, occupational therapists will work with adults to develop alternative transportation options to maintain community mobility.

Driving Simulators and Occupational Therapy

The cognitive, visual and physical abilities necessary to maintain driving fitness are critical for other functional activities, and can be evaluated as part of an overall therapy program. One growing trend is the use of virtual driving simulators in occupational therapy to evaluate and help strengthen driving fitness. Virtual simulators identify needs, and may serve as tools for additional training. Vehicle modifications can be outfitted on simulators, allowing both occupational therapists and drivers the opportunities to identify and address needs, and become comfortable with equipment before introducing on-road driving situations. Many patients for whom driving might otherwise no longer be an option can be afforded the chance to regain community mobility and independence through driving.

The American Occupational Therapy Association states, “Occupational therapy practitioners who are driving rehabilitation specialists provide comprehensive driving evaluation, adaptation, education, and training addressing the goals of learning, resuming, or seeking assurance about the ability to drive safely.”

In the hands of Occupational Therapists, clinical simulation systems can provide performance measures in a safe, objective ways, giving objective feedback on and engaging tools to help improve driving fitness. The beauty of driving simulators is that they can be tailored to meet the unique needs of patients across a diverse population. Occupational therapists can test driving operation, hazard avoidance, lane maintenance, attention and focus maintenance, visual cognition and reaction times. Variations in simulator styles and limitless possibilities for simulation scenarios allow occupational therapists to meet the needs of each patient instead of establishing a cookie-cutter plan.

The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.: www.aota.org

Study citation: Classen, S, et al. “Driving Simulators for Occupational Therapy Screening, Assessment, and Intervention.” Occupational

How DriveSafety Can Help

DriveSafety has a team of certified technicians that can walk both patients and occupational therapists through various options. The world of virtual driving simulators has grown rapidly, and may appear overwhelming. DriveSafety’s clinical driving simulators provide a range of opportunities for driving evaluation, and training to improve skills alongside an occupational therapist, as part of an overall care program.

DriveSafety’s SimClinic™ library of patient activities provide a rich set of interactive exercises and progressive driving scenarios that address and measure key functional areas for patients, increasing or decreasing difficulty, and adding new scenarios as drivers increase their overall driving fitness through the process.

Occupational therapists are urged to contact a DriveSafety certified technician today to learn more about how virtual simulators can benefit patients of all ages.