Following a stroke an individual may have impairments that impact on their ability to control a vehicle.
Vision
Our vision depends on intact:
- Visual fields – which refers to the total area which can be seen out of the eye
- Acuity – the acuteness or clearness of vision
- Oculomotor control – eye movement
Hemianopia is a type of partial blindness resulting in a loss of vision in the same visual field of both eyes.
Diplopia is double vision.
Cognition
This includes orientation, attention, memory, planning, organising and problem solving. It also includes praxis (motor planning) which is the ability to plan and perform skilled movements.
Perception
Visual perception – making sense of visual information which includes visuoperceptual i.e. colour, size, form, shape; and visuospatial abilities i.e. depth/distance, position in space, awareness of left/right, in/out, up/down.
Communication
Includes receptive and expressive language ability. This is relevant to understanding and responding to the traffic environment e.g. signs, signals, route signage and unexpected traffic instructions.
Physical
Including:
- range of movement
- sitting balance/posture
- strength
- dexterity
- coordination
- muscle tone and involuntary movements
Sensation/Proprioception
Consider upper limb and lower limb and whether sensation and awareness of limb position is intact.
Page last reviewed: 03 Mar 2020
