How Adaptive Mobility’s OT-to-DRS Training Empowers Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists (OTs) who are looking to expand their skills and make a bigger difference in people’s daily lives now have a unique pathway: Adaptive Mobility’s Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (DRS) training. The program is designed in three core parts and gives OTs with the skills to evaluate and modify driving practices for those with disabilities…
Read MoreHow Your Brain Injury OT Skills Translate to Driver Rehabilitation
For many people who have brain injuries, getting back behind the wheel is more than just a way to get around. It’s a sign of independence and freedom. As a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS), you already know how important it is for your patients to be independent and realize just how much driving can…
Read MoreTools & Resources To Get You Started As An OT Driver Rehabilitation Specialist
It’s exciting to become an Occupational Therapist Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (OT DRS). But it can be hard to figure out what tools, tests, and resources you need to get started. Having the right resources ensures you can provide safe and effective driver rehabilitation services. Here is a list of important things that will help you…
Read MoreAssessments Every OT DRS Should Master
If you are an Occupational Therapist stepping into Driver Rehabilitation, having a solid toolkit of assessments is essential. These tests help you determine whether a patient can drive safely overall and further determine who needs adaptive equipment or would benefit from more training. Below are key assessments that every OT DRS should master. 1. Visual…
Read MoreSigns Your OT Patient Needs a Driver Rehabilitation Evaluation
As an Occupational Therapist, you already know how critical independence is to the lives of your patients. One area that is often overlooked is safe driving, but this easily has a large impact. Being able to recognize when a patient may need a driver rehabilitation evaluation is not just a valuable skill. It is an…
Read MoreWill I Have Enough Patients? Sales Management & Tips as an OT Driver Rehab Specialist Business Owner
Becoming an Occupational Therapist Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (OT DRS) is exciting! However, it also comes with many important questions, especially if you’re considering starting your own business. You might be asking yourself: “Can I really make enough money?” “Will I have enough patients?” “Will people pay cash?” “Will my patients like me?” “Will my business…
Read MoreDo You Have To Be Certified To Be A Driver Rehabilitation Specialist?
The short answer is no. At the time this article is being written, most states do not require you to have a certification in order to operate a driver rehabilitation business and drive with patients. As occupational therapists, we know that when it comes to stepping into a new specialty related to our field, there…
Read MoreYour Higher Calling In Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is more than just a job. It’s a way to help others regain their freedom, confidence, and quality of life. However, a lot of OTs find that their regular jobs can be overly stressful, hard on their bodies, or not connected to the deeper purpose that brought them to the field in the…
Read MoreFeeling Burnt Out As An OT – What’s Next?
Many occupational therapists (OTs) experience burnout at some point in their careers. Between working long hours, with caseload after caseload, and the pressure of productivity, you feel like you aren’t fulfilling your calling as an OT. This career that once excited you is now leaving you physically exhausted, and there is never enough time to…
Read MoreHow To Start Your OT Driver Rehabilitation Business
Starting your own driver rehabilitation business allows you to help clients safely return to driving. It is also a rewarding, flexible career in occupational therapy (OT). Steps to starting your own OT driver rehabilitation business include: Working with Adaptive Mobility for ongoing education Understanding your state licensing laws Securing a specialized vehicle with adaptive equipment…
Read MoreHands-On, Minds-On: Specialists Explore Clinical Reasoning In Vehicle Modifications At BraunAbility
What happens when classroom learning meets cutting-edge mobility innovation? You get a truly unforgettable workshop experience like Clinical Reasoning for Complex Vehicle Modifications, held at the world-renowned BraunAbility headquarters in Winamac, Indiana. This wasn’t just another lecture or slideshow — it was a hands-on, minds-on deep dive into the essential considerations that make independent community…
Read MoreDriving & Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) may experience various symptoms, such as tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, poor coordination, cramping or stiffness in the muscles, and paralysis. Other symptoms include unusual fatigue, changes in focus and attention, and blurred or double vision. Special equipment or accommodations may be needed for individuals with MS to retain their mobility…
Read MoreSpecialize In Driving & Stroke As An Occupational Therapist
OTs are particularly suited to assist stroke patients regain their confidence and independence behind the wheel are occupational therapists focused on driver rehabilitation. To navigate the results a stroke has on driving ability, OT driver rehabilitation specialists need a combination of professional knowledge, empathy, and ingenuity. From evaluating physical restrictions to correcting cognitive and visual…
Read MoreSpecialize In Driving & Dementia As An Occupational Therapist
As occupational therapists who focus on driver rehabilitation, we want to help people with dementia. Helping them and their families through the challenging and stressful journey of driving with dementia is invaluable. Many times the family contacts us because they are feeling stressed over their parent’s safety while driving. We are in a key position…
Read MoreDriving & Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a genetic, neurodegenerative disorder that causes a progressive loss of brain cells in regions of the brain that regulate voluntary motions, like turning a door knob, opening a car door, turning the steering wheel, or lifting a coffee mug. As the condition progresses, people may develop abnormal body postures, uncontrollable movements,…
Read MoreEquipping a Tesla with Veigel’s Compact II and Classic II Hand Controls
At Adaptive Mobility Services, we care about educating OT driver rehab specialists, and assisting people in achieving safe and independent driving. Because of this we are excited to share our experience equipping a Tesla with Veigel’s Compact II and Classic II hand controls. These upgrades effortlessly integrate functionality with Tesla’s design. We now have a…
Read MoreParkinson’s Disease’s Impact On Driving
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative neurological disorder that can impair motor skills, vision, cognitive ability, and other physical and neurological processes needed for safe driving. These changes are not a result of personal shortcomings, but of problems caused by the illness itself. It can be very challenging seeing a loved one impacted by Parkinson’s.…
Read MoreDriving Challenges With Aging
Our bodies and brains naturally change as we get older, which will undoubtedly have an influence on our driving skills. These changes, ranging from reduced response times to changes in visual and cognitive processing, vary based on the individual. While being old does not inherently make a driver hazardous or a risk factor on the…
Read MoreDriving With An Amputation
Limb amputation is a major life change that can impact many facets of your life, including driving. It’s important to understand that with the right adaptive equipment and vehicle modifications, it is possible to safely return to driving after limb amputation. By working with your team of healthcare professionals and an Occupational Therapy Driver Rehabilitation…
Read MoreDriving With Peripheral Neuropathy
What Is Peripheral Neuropathy? Peripheral neuropathy is a chronic condition that involves damage to the peripheral nerves. These nerves play an essential role in transmitting sensory information from the limbs to the brain and sending signals from the brain to the muscles. What Are The Causes Of Peripheral Neuropathy? Because the condition is typically acquired…
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