Occupational Therapy Practitioners
Why Driving Rehab Matters and Why OTs Are More Ready Than They Think
It is especially important that our roads remain safe for everyone in the community, including for those who may need the help of adaptive practices and equipment to drive. Many OTs already treat people to help them gain back independence. Many OTs already treat people to help them gain back independence and in doing so,…
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 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 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 MoreTips for the OTP: Help Your Patient Return to Driving After Illness or Injury.
🗺️ Driving in an unfamiliar area without GPS is stressful. 𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘺. Navigating the return to driving without support or guidance creates more stress and frustration than is necessary. As an OTP, you’re uniquely positioned to support these clients with expertise and empathy,…
Read MorePenn Memory Empowering Caregivers Series
Penn Memory Empowering Caregivers Series Addresses Driving and Dementia Susie Touchinsky, a distinguished occupational therapist and certified driver rehabilitation specialist, shines as she shares her insights during the Penn Memory Empowering Caregivers Series on Friday, October 27, 2023. Penn Memory Empower Caregiver Series The Penn Memory Empowering Caregivers Workshop Series is a dedicated initiative to…
Read MorePractitioner Strategies for Driving & Dementia – Supporting Successful Driving Retirement
Practitioner Strategies for Driving and Dementia – Supporting Successful Driving Retirement Over the past two decades, our understanding of dementia care and management has evolved significantly. As a result, valuable insights into the complex world of dementia, driving, and cognitive decline have emerged. In this blog, I will share key insights and practitioner strategies for driving…
Read MoreSusie’s Journey – Creating an Ideal Life
Everything happens for a reason. In 2018, I woke up to an early calendar invite from human resources. In that moment, I new my life was about to change. I was working as the director of a growing driver rehabilitation program with a major rehab company. Never had I anticipated being part of the huge…
Read MoreWhy In-Person Training is Monumentally Important for OTs in Driver Rehab Practices
As OTs we value education & training that includes coursework and fieldwork. Frankly, the combination of the two is what we’ve known since our undergraduate days. In the specialty area of driver rehab, where OTs learn to assess driver’s abilities, then train/retrain drivers using adaptive equipment, both coursework and in-person training are absolutely essential! __________________________________________________…
Read MoreBecome an OT DRS
Last month, you learned all about Implementing Driver Rehab Services into your Practice by gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct driving risk assessments. Now, it is time to take the next step and consider becoming a Driver Rehab Specialist by completing our PART 2: OT Driver Rehabilitation Specialist Training. Our Part 2 offers…
Read MoreImplementing Driving Rehab Services into your Practice
You’ve decided that offering driving services will add great value to your practice, but you don’t know how to get started. No worries, we have you covered! Adaptive Mobility Services offers the education and training you need to get moving in the right direction. Whether you are looking to open a new business or enhance…
Read MorePartnering with Occupational Therapy
I often work in partnership with referring physicians, and occupational therapy practitioners. I want to see clients who are ready for the car. So partnering with the doctors is essential. When I get a referral, I generally know that the doctor believes the patient is ready, therapy is reaching their goals and the person…
Read More3 Easy Steps to Explore OT & Driving
Yes!!! I love that you are taking a moment to check out this article and explore your unique OT role with driving! When it comes to driving, fitness-to-drive, and even adaptive driving equipment, we OTs have a unique set of skills that can greatly help our patients. Whether you are an OT thinking about driving…
Read MoreWhy you need to talk to your patients about non-covered services.
Why you need to talk to your patients about non-covered services. Listen, as occupational therapists, we have all been there. There is some great resource, program, provider, device that is NOT COVERED and we think…. hmmm… will my patient go for this? Should I even bring it up? Can they afford it? Maybe there is…
Read MoreOTs Who Address Driving Change Lives!
Hey, there fellow OT Superheros! I am excited to connect with you. Did you realize that OTs who address driving change lives? It’s true! But you don’t have to take my word for it… check this out: When OTs address driving we give more than feedback on readiness for an IADL, we give hope. We…
Read MoreDriving Post-Stroke with a Left Foot Accelerator
Meet Michael. Michael has returned to driving post-stroke with a left foot accelerator! Please join me in congratulating Michael on passing his adaptive equipment driving test on a very cold and windy Tuesday! Michael is a young, very independent, hard-working father. About a month into the pandemic, he woke up, alone in his home, unable…
Read MoreStart Your Own OT Driving Risk Assessment Program
Calling all Generalist Occupational Therapy Practitioners: Start Your Own OT Driving Risk Assessment Program The OT Driving Risk Assessment is quickly becoming the next big trend in healthcare. This is a reimbursable service covered by the trained occupational therapy practitioner and it is easily integrated into the standard OT evaluation or the current plan of…
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