Learning to
drive with special needs can be a very daunting feeling, however
with the right approach and a driving school that has 1st hand experience of
teaching pupils with these conditions the learning process can be made a lot
less stressful for all concerned.
Dyslexia - the main difficulties that arise with this condition as
far as driving lessons are concerned is the poor organisational skills,
remembering to do things in set sequence makes driving a lot easier, however
with patience and repetition this can be overcome.
Weaknesses in short-term and working memory, speed of processing, can all be
overcome with slight adjustments to driving lessons and lesson structures.
Lefts and rights do not represent a problem, your driving instructor as well
as giving verbal directions will give hand signals, pupils will not be asked
to follow road signs on driving lessons if requested, and since the DSA will know you are
dyslexic the same procedure for your driving lessons is adopted for your
driving test.
Dyspraxia - relates to having poor motor skills clumsiness and
co-ordination difficulties. Pupils may also suffer from poor concentration
leading to difficulties in retaining information and perceptual and spatial
awareness problems.
Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder - this can affect the
pupil in a way that they are easily side-tracked and confused by too much
going on around me, a very short attention span, fail to plan ahead and be
noticeably restless and fidgety, and worst of all behaviour of people with
ADHD can be inappropriate and unpredictability leading to a very short
fuse.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS),
also known as ME is a condition with a
diverse range of symptoms but particularly characterised by profound muscle
fatigue after physical exertion. The best way to deal with this condition is
to have 1 hour lessons if possible, also your instructor will be very
accommodating if you need to cancel a lesson at short notice.
All the above conditions can be overcome eventually by adjustments to
lessons plans and driving lesson structure, they just take time, taking us
back again to patience and repartition.
As far as the theory test is concerned the system has the option for
dyslexic candidates to listen to the test being read in English through a
headset, voice-over's in 20 other languages are available, dyslexic
candidates can also apply to have up to double the standard time. You need
to ask when you apply for the test. A letter or report from a professional
should explain your reading ability i.e a teacher, a psychologist, or
local dyslexia association officer. You will have to phone again for a test
date after the report has been processed.