The American Medical Association (1999) recommends that physicians consider occupational therapy services for their patients whose impaired driving ability poses a threat to public safety. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (1998), drivers with a 40% or greater impairment in the useful field of view are two times more likely to crash their vehicle.

Creighton University Medical Center’s Driving and Community Mobility Rehabilitation Program uses a combination of standardized tests that can provide physicians with objective data regarding an individual's underlying skills that relate to driving. In addition to the clinical evaluation, a behind the wheel driving assessment is completed. Based on the comprehensive findings, an individual may benefit from further occupational therapy services to improve functional skills.

Clinical Evaluation

The clinical evaluation portion is completed by an occupational therapist. The occupational therapist assesses an individual’s ability to drive safely based on his or her medical history, current medications, visual and motor skills, cognition, and behavior.

Behind the Wheel Evaluation

The behind the wheel portion is completed by a certified driving instructor. The driving instructor assesses an individual’s ability to enter and exit a vehicle, operate the vehicle and secondary controls, operate adaptive equipment, safely negotiate typical traffic environments and utilize knowledge of traffic rules.

The Driving and Community Mobility Rehabilitation Program may benefit individuals of varying ages and diagnoses, such as individuals who have experienced: 

• Alzheimer’s and Dementia
• Neuropathy
• Amputation
• Orthopedic Injuries
• Arthritis
• Post polio
• Brain Injury
• Senior Drivers
• Cerebral Palsy
• Spina Bifida
• Learning/Cognitive Disability
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Stroke
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Visual impairments

Our testing will provide detailed, objective information in the following areas:

Visual perception: visual memory, depth perception, visual closure, visual information processing, figure ground, visual discrimination, and visual information processing time 

Motor skills: neck range of motion, gross range of motion and strength of the upper and lower extremities, grip strength, proprioception, and fine and gross motor coordination

Vision: eye range of motion, scanning patterns, field of vision, and peripheral vision

Cognition: memory, following directions, problem solving, attention span, driving knowledge, divided attention, and percent of cognitive assistance needed to anticipate hazards

Behavior: impulsivity, coping, and frustration tolerance

Referral Information  

Coverage for this service varies depending on the payment source.  For non-covered services, payment will be required at the time of service.   Please inquire with your insurance company regarding coverage for occupational therapy services.  

A physician’s referral is required by most payment sources.  Please obtain prior to scheduling your evaluation.

For further information, please call the Department of Occupational Therapy at (402) 449-4248