ILOTA Live Virtual Event: " 'Am I Ready to Drive?': How to Steer Through This Common—but Sometimes Feared—Question"

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

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This session will provide the OT generalist with ways to answer the questions, “Am I ready to drive?” and “Am I ready to become a new driver?” This session will answer common questions and empower the OT generalist to provide powerful feedback to the client based on OT’s mastery of task analysis. It will also guide the OT generalist as to providing additional resources and when to refer to driver rehabilitation. This will be addressed with the following settings and their populations: rehab, home health, outpatient and schools. 

• Describe the OT role within the IADL task of driving and community mobility
• Recognize how the OT generalist can contribute to driving discussions
• Detect when a referral to driver rehabilitation is indicated

Brandon Lesch

Brandon Lesch is a co-owner of STRIVE for Independence, Chicagoland's most experienced driver rehabilitation group - located in Lombard, Illinois - serving clients throughout Illinois and the Midwest.

STRIVE for Independence is an occupational therapy private practice that specializes in driver rehabilitation. STRIVE is staffed with occupational therapists who are also Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists and Certified Driving Instructors through the state of Illinois. These therapists have over 50 years of combined experience working with clients across various age groups, disabilities, and medical conditions.

The occupational therapists at STRIVE for Independence work with a diverse range of clients, including adults with physical disabilities, well elderly individuals, teens and young adults with special needs, and those enrolled in a specialized low-vision program. They collaborate with clients to help them achieve mobility, freedom, safety, and independence in meeting their transportation needs.

STRIVE’s fleet is comprised of 5 vehicles that can be equipped with a variety of adaptive equipment (hand controls, left accelerator pedal, steering devices, etc.) to meet the clients’ needs. STRIVE is proud to be the only program in Illinois to offer driver rehabilitation services using a modified minivan equipped with high-tech driving equipment.

Brandon is an occupational therapist (OTR/L), certified driver rehabilitation specialist (CDRS), and certified driving instructor (CDI). Brandon graduated with his Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2012. In his 10+ years of working in the driver rehabilitation field, he has served as a CarFit Coordinator, and co-created a unique program with the DuPage County Sheriff Department to help new drivers with autism learn what to expect if they interact with police while driving. He also enjoys presenting at various educational and community conferences across the US, where he helps drivers of all ages understand the breadth and depth of what is possible in the world of adaptive driving.

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(Zoom meeting link will be emailed to all registrants prior to the meeting.)

If you require any reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact us before the event.

Register here!