People with an intellectual disability can learn how to drive and obtain their licence, however often have additional challenges that may impact on their driving capacity. This article will outline possible difficulties people with intellectual disabilities may face in relation to driving, as well as the process involved for an Occupational Therapy Driving Assessment. [...]
In today’s technology-packed world, innovation in disability support devices and modifications have come a very long way. Nowadays, there are fewer limitations on what a disabled person can accomplish with devices that compensate for their disability or help to make tasks that little bit easier. One arena where there has been a great deal [...]
Why is it important to assess a person’s medical condition and driving capacity? The opportunity and ability to drive is important to many people, as driving facilitates people to engage with others, attend personal, social or professional functions and obligations, and access their community. Driving gives a person greater independence and freedom to perform [...]
When is a heavy vehicle OT (occupational therapy) driving assessment required? This is required when an individual sustains an injury or is diagnosed with a medical condition that may impact on their driving and have either of the following licence classes; Light Rigid (LR) Medium Rigid (MR) Heavy Rigid (HR) Heavy Combination (HC) Multi Combination (MC) [...]
How can a stroke affect my driving skills? A stroke occurs when the brain’s blood supply becomes disrupted. In most cases, this is due to the arteries in the brain becoming blocked, but can also occur when there is bleeding in the tissue of the brain. A stroke is a serious and life-threatening condition, and recovery [...]
What is an occupational therapy driving assessment? Occupational therapy (OT) is an allied health discipline that focuses on helping people become as independent as possible. OT encompasses all areas of life – from basic self-care skills, gross and fine motor skills and meal preparation, to social skills and employment and vocational interests. One activity that [...]
Dementia background Dementia is a term used to characterise a set of signs and symptoms that relate to disorders of the brain. Commonly known types of dementia illnesses include vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia is a degenerative disease that worsens over time. Dementia impacts on the person’s cognition (thinking) and behaviour, and ultimately [...]
What is a stroke? When the brain does not get enough blood and its oxygen supply decreases, its cells begin to perish as they become dangerously lacking in nutrients. This is the catalyst for a stroke, which occurs one of two ways: a) a blood vessel becomes obstructed (usually by plaque from cholesterol or blood clots), [...]
