The grandson of a friend has dyspraxia (poor co-ordination) and this seems likely to prevent him from driving a motor vehicle. Given that in the 21st century a very large number of people in Britain rely on driving skills for work purposes, this is a serious handicap.
There is a Dyspraxia website and support group which offers advice and help to those with the condition. However we would really like to hear from BackRoomers who have personal experience of dyspraxia and how they cope with it. Especially welcome would be any tips for improving hand - foot co-ordination.
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Have a look at the Dore system, developed for severe dyslexia, simple exercises for the cerebellum area of the brain also improve dyspraxia markedly.
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I don't mean to be patronsing, but wouldn't driving a car with a stepless CVT (or a Prius or similar) help considerably?
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there must be places that do off road (not in the 4x4 sense) tuition or driving tasters. There must be degrees of dyspraxia so he could find out safely what skills need worked on - never say it's a lost cause until all possibilities are explored.
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We have already thought that driving an automatic would be easier for the lad than a manual and that does seem the way to make a start.
The suggestion about starting driving off the public highway is a very good one and will be tried.
I think he is already doing the Dore system of exercises, but I will check.
What would be nice to hear would be personal experiences from BR's as to how they overcame the problem.
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I think there are many drivers who have passed the test and possess all the required skills who are, nevertheless, temperamentally and psychologically unfit to drive a vehicle. These people present a high risk on the road and yet there is no attempt to screen potential drivers for mental attitude. So I feel that some people with borderline medical conditions are unfairly discriminated against when it comes to being prevented from driving.
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I was wondering how to suggest, without seeming frivolous, that this may be in mild form a widespread condition, usually undiagnosed. After all a lot of us expend energy here denouncing apparent examples of it.
Perhaps there are some unfortunates who should drop the idea of driving, except with supervision in deserts and so on, for everyone's sake? I have known one or two such individuals. Of course they have all my sympathy.
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The young man in point is intelligent, personable, capable, but has very poor co-ordination, which is one of the distinguishing features of the condition. He is not mentally unsuited to driving through attitude or personality disorder.
As an example of his dyspraxia, if he were thrown a ball to catch, he would cross his hands instead of automatically cupping them. Big problem.
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Spospe, you might find it's not a problem. I know someone with dyspraxia who can play the piano and drive a car, but also does the ball catching thing you refer to.
It's a case of retraining the brain to perform a series of routine movements, and routine responses to given situations. It can be done, but it just might take a bit longer...and a patient instructor!
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I think a specialist site and/or forum are likely to be of more help.
Found this on www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
Driving
To be able to steer a car, concentrate, judge distance, use both hands and feet together and remember how to carry out a sequence of tasks all at the same time is very daunting. It is hardly surprising that many of us who have dyspraxia decide that driving a car is beyond our capabilities. However, social pressures and work commitments may compel us to at least give driving a try.
There is some help available for learner drivers with co-ordination difficulties. A number of assessment centres throughout the country offer information and advice to drivers who have a disability and assess them in a safe environment to establish their capabilities. Please contact The Forum of Mobility Centres www.mobility-centres.org.uk for further advice. The staff at these Mobility Centres are very helpful and are used to working with people with poor concentration and perceptual and spatial awareness problems.
Some driving schools, such as the British School of Motoring offer courses which cater for specialist needs. Some of the BSM's branches have driving simulators with geared cars, on which you can build your confidence before you take to the open road.
Before you choose a driving school, shop around and ask questions. Only you know what your difficulties are. It is up to you to make a prospective instructor aware of them. You may be able to track down an instructor who has taught people with disabilities, who is patient and has the experience to teach techniques that will help you to learn.
Driving Tips
Try to learn in an automatic car. Less co-ordination is needed and there is less to think about.
When taking the test, ask for extra time to complete the written section if you think you need it.
Have extra wing mirrors fitted for easier parking and reversing.
Larger, higher-mounted steering wheels are easier to use.
Mark the right side of the steering wheel with a sticker to help you to remember which side is right and which is left.
Plan and prepare your journey as much as possible before you set out. Write down the directions and clip them to the dashboard.
If you have map reading problems, reverse maps can help and/or computer navigation systems.
Take frequent breaks if you find concentration difficult.
Further Information
Forum of Mobility Centres www.mobility-centres.org.uk or telephone the National Forum Enquiry Line: 0800 559 3636
Edited by Chris M on 08/03/2008 at 21:45
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I have read this thread with interest and some sympathy with those who suffer from this condition. However, after reading this:
>>>>>>Mark the right side of the steering wheel with a sticker to help you to remember which side is right and which is left.
I find myself asking whether people who need this amount of prompting should be behind the wheel of a car at all.
Before anyone jumps on the discrimination bandwagon I AM COLOURBLIND and that rules me out of doing several things like being a Pilot, Train Driver, Aircraft Engineer amongst many many other things but I dont jump up and down and claim discrimination from employers as I know that I cannot safely do any of these.
By the way, I have no problem whatsoever with traffic lights, before anyone asks!!!
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You make a good point stuartl, you've simply pointed to the inevitable dilemma.
At some point (and I am in no way judging the abilities or potential of the OPs acquaintance - since I don't know him & am not a physiologist or doctor) disability must impact to such an extent, that practical & practicable measures to remedy their effects will fall short in enabling them to fullfill their own or other people's expectations.
The hard question (and probably harder answer) of where the line needs to be drawn & fate be accepted, must, one would think, be where it intersects and/or affects the (reasonable) safety of others.
Edited by woodbines on 08/03/2008 at 23:43
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I have also been diagnosed with dyspraxia. The cetnral problem is that any specific learning dysablility is has a multitude of symptoms, so to speak. My dyspraxia shows up in my gross and fine motorskills and my processing speed - I am useless at football for example, and have bad reaction times. Dyspraxia also means I should have a range of other symptoms like not being able to read maps - but I consider myself a good map reader.
What the OP is finding is that the support network for dyspraxic people may be lacking. I reacently started a new job and that entails studying. I had a bit of a stuggle getting hold of people who knew what my needs where - Occupational health and Personell wanted presented me with lists of website of phycologists that specialied in helping people in work with emotioal difficulties - What I needed was an educational phycologist, not a clinical one. The thing is most people don't know what to do.
If I were the OP I would contact people on websites dealing with Dyspraxia and see if they have any forums on them. Idealy the OP would want someone with some expertiese in assesing motor co-ordination diffculties in respect to driving, who can then suggest ways to cope with the diffuclties.
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Thanks to you all for your thoughtful and sympathetic suggestions, we will try them out.
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dont ruin his confidence by trying the manual . go firstly to the automatic
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