This is available at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.

All lessons will be taught by an occupational therapist who specializes in the driving needs of people with autism. Your lessons will be one-on-one with them. They will tailor instructions to meet your specific needs.

You do not need to have any previous driver education. However, to help you get started, we recommend reading the Illinois Rules of the Road (non-CDL) before your first appointment. You can find those rules on the Illinois Secretary of State’s website.

Program Levels to Meet Your Needs

We offer three different program tiers based on your current skill level, determined by our staff. Each lesson is about one hour long.

Tier one:

• 12 lessons
• One lesson per month
• Learning as the instructor drives and discusses the driving environment with the student
• Classroom learning

Tier two:

• 20 lessons
• One lesson every two weeks
• Passenger practice, classroom learning and behind-the-wheel training

Tier three:

• 8 lessons
• One lesson per week
• Behind-the-wheel training

Program Requirements

To join our program, you must:

• Be at least 15 years old
• Have a physician’s order for occupational therapy driving evaluation and treatment
• Receive written authorization from the high school if it is helping pay fees
• Have a learner’s permit for behind-the-wheel training (not required for the evaluation)

Getting Help Paying for Driver Rehabilitation Services

You might be eligible to get funding assistance through the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services. To ask about eligibility and determine which office serves your area, visit the Illinois DHS’ website or call 877.581.3690.

If you use a manual wheelchair, power wheelchair or scooter, our Driver Rehabilitation Program can provide you with guidance and support tailored to your unique driving needs.

This is available at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and in Crystal Lake. If you have a manual wheelchair, our Crystal Lake location can only support you if you can transfer yourself and your wheelchair in and out of the car on your own. If you cannot, you will need to go to our program at Marianjoy.

How an Assessment Helps

Whether you plan to drive directly from your mobility device or transfer into the driver’s seat, we can help.

A comprehensive driving evaluation can:

• Help determine the vehicle or vehicle adaptations for your needs
• Recommend specific equipment, such as wheelchair ramps, lifts or hand controls
• Determine if you can safely operate the vehicle under various conditions

On the day of your evaluation, bring your mobility device, including your power wheelchair if you use one.

Before making an appointment, you need a physician’s order that read, “OT Driving Evaluation and Treatment.”

Getting Help Paying for Driver Rehabilitation Services

You might be eligible to get funding assistance through the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services. To ask about eligibility and determine which office serves your area, visit the Illinois DHS’ website or call 877.581.3690. .

This is available at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and in Crystal Lake. At our Crystal Lake location, you must be 16 or older and you must have a valid driver’s license or have had one before.

We can coordinate services with high schools to provide evaluation and behind-the-wheel training for teens with disabilities.

The Driver Rehabilitation Program may benefit teenagers and young adults with a variety of diagnoses, including:

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Cerebral palsy
• Dwarfism
• Muscular dystrophy
• Spina bifida

Program Requirements

You must:

• Be at least 15 years old
• Have a physician’s order for occupational therapy driving evaluation and treatment
• Receive written authorization from the high school if it is helping pay fees
• Have a learner’s permit for behind-the-wheel training (not required for the evaluation)

You do not need to have any previous driver education. However, to help you get started, we recommend reading the Illinois Rules of the Road (non-CDL) before your first appointment. You can find those rules on the Illinois Secretary of State’s website.

Available at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and in Crystal Lake and Lake Forest.

Aging brings changes that can affect your ability to drive safely. These might be changes in vision, hearing, memory or coordination. We can help address these and help you stay safe and confident on the road.

What to bring on the day of your evaluation:

• A list of your current medications
• Someone to drive you to and from the appointment

What to Expect

You will need a physician’s order for occupational therapy driving evaluation and treatment.

After the evaluation, we will review your results and discuss recommendations with you and your family, if appropriate.

Recommendations may include:

• Continue to drive without limitations or recommendations
• Continue to drive with limitations
• Complete therapy to help manage conditions and return for a behind-the-wheel re-evaluation
• Stop driving and use other transportation options

Your physician will get a copy of the final evaluation report and recommendations.

26W171 Roosevelt Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
630.909.6080, option 2
Fax referrals to 630.909.7151

What This Location Offers

• Licensed occupational therapists
• Certified driver rehabilitation specialists
• State-certified driving instructors
• A state-certified driving school
• Comprehensive driving evaluations for teens through older adults
• Specialized teen and young adult driving program
• Driving safety evaluations for older adults
• Specialized driver rehabilitation program for people with autism
• A rehabilitation program with wheelchair-accessible vehicles
• Vehicles for training and evaluations that can be adapted to your needs

At this location, you must be at least 15 years old and require specialized evaluation, education or equipment.

500 Coventry Lane, Suite 170
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
815.356.2700, choose 1

What this location offers:

• Licensed occupational therapists
• Certified driver rehabilitation specialists
• Comprehensive driver evaluations for licensed or previously licensed drivers (16 years and older)
• Vehicle for driver training that can be adapted to your needs

To schedule an appointment, please complete this screening form . Once submitted, a staff member will contact you.

1200 North Westmoreland Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
630.933.1500

What This Location Offers

• Licensed occupational therapists
• Driver screening with simulator