Resources
Neurodivergence and Driving
A collection of helpful resources that we share with families on a regular basis.
Fitness to Drive Neurodivergence Workshops
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia - Driving with Neurodivergence
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia - One Autistic Young Adult's Road to a Driver's License
https://injury.research.chop.edu/blog/posts/one-autistic-young-adults-road-drivers-license
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Readiness for Driving: Adolescent IADL (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) Checklist
https://otaus.com.au/publicassets/9d3d2604-2dc6-ee11-948f-005056be13b5/Readiness_for_driving_lifeskills_checklist.pdf
Drive Focus
drivefocus.com
Visual and cognitive training app specifically for driving
Listen to a podcast with the developer of DriveFocus at https://www.fitnesstodrive.org/podcast
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia - Teen Driver Source
https://teendriversource.research.chop.edu/
Guides for driving practice and excellent video links for visual learning.
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Online Driver’s Ed Courses
https://www.cartalk.com/drivers-ed
Car Fit
https://car-fit.org/
Virtual and in-person workshops to learn proper fit in one’s personal vehicle
DMV - Rehab Permit Process
https://dmv.colorado.gov/rehabilitation-permit-process
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DMV - Permit Test Accommodations
https://dmv.colorado.gov/minor-permit
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Adding a Disability to Drivers License
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Social Media Interviews
3 Red Flags You Should Intervene With Your Loved One's Driving
As our parents' age, we often notice things that they may not be willing to admit yet -- such as the degradation of their driving capabilities. It's difficult to have this conversation with them because it represents their freedom and independence.
Terri shares some ideas for how to begin talking about with your loved one, and what to watch out for that may mean it's time to consider intervening with their driving.
Local Television Interviews
Engaging Mobility Podcast
The Engaging Mobility Podcast is hosted by Dr. Terri Cassidy and Susie Touchinsky.
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Engaging Mobility promotes community engagement through healthy transportation decisions. We are a resource for occupational therapy practitioners and other health professionals working with older adults.
Podcast Appearances that Discuss Driving and Aging
Help for Family Caregivers of People With Dementia
Kathryn Clinton from the Age Better Resources podcast speaks with Dr. Terri Cassidy, OTD and CEO of Health Promotion Partners in Colorado discussing an innovative program to help care partners of people living with dementia manage daily challenges more effectively.
A Thriving Life Podcast - Discussion with Dr. Cassidy and Kent Matthews
Kent speaks with Terri Cassidy of Health Promotion Partners about driving. Terri is an occupational therapist and Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist whose practice focuses on direct patient care as well as education to medical professionals on topics of driver safety.
Seniors Flourish - Discussion with Dr. Cassidy and Mandy Chamberlain
Many know that occupational therapists help with driving rehab, but how about driving retirement? It is a HUGE shift to go from driving to not driving and what is our role in preparing our patients with this transition? The more we can help our patients explore alternative options, the easier it will be for them in the future.
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Terri Cassidy OTD, OTR/L, Certified Driving Rehab Specialist, discusses what this looks like, as well as how we can work on these goals for our patients to maintain as much independence in community mobility as possible!
Time to stop driving? Podcast with Emmy Betz and Terri Cassidy
The science of balancing safety and independence of older drivers has come a long way. Some key points from our podcast today with Emmy Betz (emergency physician-researcher) and Terri Cassidy (occupational therapist and certified driving rehab specialist) include:
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It’s no longer gouache to say “taking away the keys” – which sound punitive and risks infantilizing
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Instead the new lingo is “driving retirement”
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Driving retirement can be a process, similar to a harm reduction model, in which the activity is not eliminated all together but restricted to minimize harm: e.g. driving only during the day, or avoiding freeways.
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A JAGS randomized trial demonstrated that a free online tool that assess readiness to stop driving helped older drivers with the difficult decision about driving cessation.
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Often the work of the certified driving rehab specialist is to assess the older drivers goals, assess prognosis for driving, and help the family navigate discussions around driving cessation (hmmm…sounds like an approach to family meetings).
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There is a dearth of Certified Driving Rehab Specialists: 12 for the entire state of Colorado!
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Recent Professional and Community Presentations
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National Driver Rehabilitation Conference: Examining the Strategic Level of Driving Behavior
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El Paso Medical Society Family Fun Night
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Encompass Rehab Lunch and Learn: Medical Fitness to Drive Evaluations