OT DRIVE
Marian Engelbrecht Occupational Therapist
OT Drive
Occupational therapy driver rehabilitation services
Supporting you on your driving journey
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About OT Drive
Occupational Therapy Services
For many driving is an essential skill. A change in one’s function due to health status change, may it be physical or mental could affect your fitness to drive. We offer clinical and on- road comprehensive assessments to establish your fitness to drive.
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Driving and community mobility falls under the Occupational Therapy scope of practice.
The WHO categorizes driving as "a human function of daily activities and community participation" (WHO, 2002).
Occupational therapists with the necessary training in driving rehabilitation may assess fitness to drive:
“having adequate physical, visual and cognitive function and resources to drive smoothly and cautiously while compensating adequately for functional impairments, in real time traffic” (Brouwer& Ponds, 1994)
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Occupational Therapy Driving Intervention may be indicated for:
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People who have experienced an injury or medical condition e.g. a stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury or other conditions, and would like to return to driving.
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Older Adults who have age related changes, a chronic illness such as arthritis, COPD, diabetic neuropathy, or a diagnosis of dementia, mild cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease and are unsure of their driving safety.
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Teens or novice drivers with conditions like ADHD, Autism and Cerebral Palsy who are unsure if they have the necessary skills to learn how to drive. Assessments for the readiness to pursue driving, guidance for parents, teachers and other health professionals.
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Meet the Team
Occupational therapists are uniquely qualified to provide Driver rehabilitation services and is able to support drivers and future drivers, to manage their mobility needs.
Marian Engelbrecht
B. OccTher (Stellenbosch University 2000)
Registered with HPCSA
Practice Number 0129720
Marian is a qualified Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She has been in private practice in Somerset-West since 2004 and is currently providing driving as well as home-based Occupational Therapy services in the Helderberg area.
For more information or to make an appointment
Services
Comprehensive driving evaluations
A comprehensive driving evaluation consists of both clinical (office-based) testing and an on-road driving test.
The results will then be discussed with you and recommendations made. For more information please read the document under Resources.
Driving rehabilitation
Certain medical conditions can affect a person's fitness to drive. Driving rehabilitation may be recommended and can enable a safe return to driving. This can also include recommendations for vehicle modifications.
Screenings and training of older drivers
Helping the older driver to identify possible warning signs and risk factors that can influence safe driving.
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Screening of vision, cognition, motor functions etc.
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Assisting with correct set-up of the vehicle as well as training in safer driving
Transportation planning following driving retirement
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Recommendations and future planning with regards to driving.
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Assisting the driver and family with possible driving retirement planning.
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Alternative transportation recommendations
Driving readiness for teens
Teens and novice drivers with conditions such as Autism, Anxiety, ADHD, SPD and physical or cognitive-based driving challenges. ​
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Driving readiness screening
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Assessment - full assessment that includes vision, movement, sensation and cognition.
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Pre-driving in-vehicle passenger training.
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Support for teens and parents
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Other Occupational Therapy services
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Rehabilitation
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Home visits
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Geriatrics and Dementia support
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Falls management and prevention
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Equipment prescriptions and advice
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Disabled parking disc applications
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Assessment for disabled parking disc.
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Completion of forms/letter for the traffic department.
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Information on how to apply and where to go.
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Service Areas
Driving Assessments and Rehabilitation services are available in the following areas. Please contact me to make an appointment.
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Home visits or in-office
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Somerset-West (office and/or home visits)
Stellenbosch (home visits)
Hermanus (home visits)
Resources and information
Self-assessment
Are you concerned about your own, or a loved one's driving? Are you unsure whether you should still be driving, or do you have a medical condition that may affect your driving? This document provides a starting point to assist you in looking and evaluating your own/or a loved one's driving. This is not a formal assessment and should only be used as a guideline.
Get in Touch
For more information, or to make an appointment.
072 223 2627