When a person’s driving ability is affected, life can seem limited. For people with complex brain and balance disorders, this is all too common. That’s why Kettering Health’s NeuroRehab and Balance Center offers the Driver Rehabilitation Program.
The program is located on the campus of Kettering Health Washington Township. The driving program is for new and experienced drivers, and all participants receive an evaluation and training.
“The main reason someone comes in for a driving evaluation is that they have had a change in functioning, and they need to see if they are safe to return to driving or to continue driving,” explains Emily Haffner, an occupational therapist at the NeuroRehab and Balance Center.
Who they are
The Driver Rehabilitation Program is a licensed, class D disability driver training school in Ohio. Instructors are occupational therapists licensed to train drivers with a disability.
A certified driver rehabilitation specialist is on staff, as well as a case manager who can assist clients and their families with community resources and referrals as needed.
Who they see
“We see patients with medical conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or peripheral neuropathy. They’re patients experiencing a decline in physical and or mental functions,” said Haffner. “We also see individuals following a medical event such as a stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, or amputation. These patients have been through a recovery process and are ready to see if they can safely return to driving.”
A smaller percentage of the patients are young adults with disabilities such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida. These patients want to learn to drive for the first time and may need vehicle modifications or specialized training to learn.
How the program works
You must have a referral from your physician to complete the driving evaluation. The reports from the evaluation, as well as driving recommendations, will be sent back to your physician.
“As certified driving instructors for the state of Ohio, we offer a comprehensive driving evaluation completed over two days,” said Haffner.
The evaluation includes:
- Gathering information on a person’s medical and driving history
- Clinical assessment of vision, perception, cognition, physical skills, and reaction time (using a driving simulator)
- On-road assessments as needed
To complete the clinical evaluation, you must be at least 15-and-a-half years old, with parental consent for anyone under 18.
To complete the on-road assessment, you must be at least 18 with a valid license or temporary permit.
After the evaluation
Following the evaluation, a summary is reviewed with the patient and provided to their referring provider.
Driving rehabilitation specialists recommend resuming or continuing driving, driver’s training, vehicle modification, or driving retirement, and options for alternative transportation.
