Avera McKennan Occupational Therapy Drive Smart Program
(A Rehabilitation driving program)

The ability to drive is key in maintaining an individual's independence. More than just a tool for travel, driving is a very personal skill that helps you stay connected to the people and activities you love. If you are have already limited your driving for some reason, if you are wondering how you are doing with your driving skills, or if you need adaptive equipment to aid your driving ability, the Drive Smart program is a great resource. The Drive Smart program is also helpful if you had an injury, illness, or accident and want to return to the task of driving. Whatever your driving skill needs, Avera McKennan Drive Smart is a great place to start regaining your confidence and your ability to drive.

Purpose of the Drive Smart Program

Avera McKennan Occupational Therapy offers the Drive Smart Program to meet the needs of individuals with diagnoses that could impair function necessary for driving. These diagnoses could include by are not limited to:

Developmental delay Dementia Stroke Amputation Head injury Spinal Cord Injury Visual deficits Cardiovascular disease Neurological disease Sleep disorders

Vertigo Psychiatric disease Attention deficit disorder Metabolic diseases Diabetes Musculoskeletal disabilities Peripheral vascular diseases Renal disease Hearing loss

What the Drive Smart Program Offers

Avera McKennan Drive Smart offers evaluation and rehabilitation or habilitation of driving skills to clients based on individual need. Services offered include:

Clinical assessment Vehicle assessment Equipment assessment

In-vehicle assessment Driver education/training Final vehicle inspection/fitting

Services are provided by a certified and licensed occupational therapist with special education in the area of driving. Evaluation results include whether or not an individual may safely operate a motor vehicle, as well as recommendations for adaptive equipment, further training, or driving restrictions.

Referrals

Participation in the Avera McKennan Drive Smart program does not require a physician's referral, but a referral is encouraged if you wish to obtain insurance reimbursement. You may be asked by a family member, lawyer, insurance group or other community agency to talk to your doctor about a referral, as a Drive Smart assessment can help determine an individual's ability to drive by providing a measurable and objective evaluation.

Driver Evaluation and Training

The Avera McKennan Drive Smart program offers two avenues for exploring the driving process: Driver Evaluation and Driver Training.

Driver Evaluation assists you in identifying potential safety factors related to various components of the driving process, as well as identify factors which may impact driving ability such as:

Visual acuity and perceptual skills Night vision and glare recovery Memory/cognitive skills Understanding of traffic signs and on-the-road regulations

Physical functioning Safety/judgment skills Eye-hand-foot reaction time Adaptive equipment needs

The Driver Training component is designed to assist the participant in increasing safety awareness and identifying adaptive equipment needs and resources for driving more independently.

For individuals who have the potential to drive; behind-the-wheel instruction is geared to individual needs and abilities. Lessons emphasize defensive driving, city, interstate/highway, and rural driving, and preparation for the state road test.

General Information

The Drive Smart Program is offered through Avera McKennan Outpatient Therapy Services, located at 69th and Western Avenue in the McGreevy Clinic Avera building.