Dyslexia and driving
Discussion
A bit of an oddball subject in an advanced driving forum,however bear with me.
I am currently 'coaching' an associate for their IAM test.They always seems to concentrate well for the first 30 mins or so,then lose all concentration after that, which seemed different compared to other people i have been out with.
After a couple of observed runs i asked them what they thought of the IAM handbook and if they had finished reading it.It is at this point that they said they were dyslexic and was struggling with it.
I said we could simplify it by me demonstrating in my car the basics like 'IPSGA' and 'tyres+tarmac' and so on.
We did this and for the first half hour and they were fine,but then lost all concentration again.
I have spoken to our senior observers and training officer and they suggested shorter runs (eg 30 mins) but on a more frequent basis which i am going to try.Then build the length of time up.
My question to all you nice and more experienced people in 'pistonheads land' is can dyslexia affect any form of the driving/learning process and does anybody have any experience of this or can suggest some solutions.
Regards
Dave
Dyslexia can screw up the ability to read quite badly. Get your Associate the Roadcraft DVD.
I'm afraid inability to concentrate is just being ditzy. The idea of starting with shorter runs and building up is good. Try that and see if the Associate's "endurance" builds up.
I have mild dyslexia which particularly affects my writing...so I have an idea of what it's like. If you have it badly reading becomes very, very hard.
I'm afraid inability to concentrate is just being ditzy. The idea of starting with shorter runs and building up is good. Try that and see if the Associate's "endurance" builds up.
I have mild dyslexia which particularly affects my writing...so I have an idea of what it's like. If you have it badly reading becomes very, very hard.
Dyslexia comes in many shapes and sizes, and it is related to many other conditions in which your ability to concentrate is reduced, I am not sure ditzy is the medical definition for it 
I doubt if the road sign issue would be a problem, but you could always test the indivdual concerned?
I doubt if the road sign issue would be a problem, but you could always test the indivdual concerned?
p3skydave said:
Cheers Don
I have a copy of that and shall try the dvd angle.Another question if i may.
Does it affect shapes and symbols ie road signs and direction boards ?
Regards
Dave
Not for me. But it could if it was bad enough I suppose. You need a medical specialist for that. Me - I'm just a mild sufferer. I could read normally but was nearly 11 before I could write - stuff comes out backwards, jumbled up, words missing, letters missing etc.I have a copy of that and shall try the dvd angle.Another question if i may.
Does it affect shapes and symbols ie road signs and direction boards ?
Regards
Dave
The rise of the computer keyboard saved me!
Some people, unused to concentrating and then having to learn and take in a lot of new information can initially find it tiring.
Try learning to juggle or play Beethoven and I'm sure most of us would initially struggle to concentrate.
Maybe try short runs 30mins... then a break and discussion followed by another run? May help.
Try learning to juggle or play Beethoven and I'm sure most of us would initially struggle to concentrate.
Maybe try short runs 30mins... then a break and discussion followed by another run? May help.
Thanks Dibbers006.
Just been doing a little searching on the internet and one researcher said
"It may take some dyslexics longer to develop automaticity in tasks such as driving.They may not be able to talk with a passenger at the same time"
The associate and i do talk quite a lot,as we are also 'work mates'.So it may be a good idea for me to shut up more,so letting him concentrate.It may be distracting him more than i thought.
Regards
Dave
Just been doing a little searching on the internet and one researcher said
"It may take some dyslexics longer to develop automaticity in tasks such as driving.They may not be able to talk with a passenger at the same time"
The associate and i do talk quite a lot,as we are also 'work mates'.So it may be a good idea for me to shut up more,so letting him concentrate.It may be distracting him more than i thought.
Regards
Dave
When I learnt to play Golf... if the Instructor talked to me I could not concentrate at all and found it really difficult to get in the 'zone.'
People on the other hand (however inaccurate it may be) have a huge capacity for memory.
A break after a run and a bit of a debrief and i'm sure any large points you raise will be remembered from the run and easily discussed.
Maybe try and bullet point observations whilst they are driving. Or even pull over for a quick rundown of the last incidents.
I teach people a lot of stuff across a range of genres and like they say... everyone learns differently!
Trying to take on board NEW things whilst studying what you are doing already can be extremely difficult and takes a lot of extra concentration. As you say... the automatic and the conscious are initially at one when learning something new and it is only with a step back and then, going forward, with experience that anyone involved in a task can separate what they are achieving sub consciously and what they are trying to achieve actively.
Er... sorry... rambled a bit. I take a lot of interest in the way to teach people effectively
Sometimes it frustrates me how intolerant people can be of others learning methods that are at odds with their own.
People on the other hand (however inaccurate it may be) have a huge capacity for memory.
A break after a run and a bit of a debrief and i'm sure any large points you raise will be remembered from the run and easily discussed.
Maybe try and bullet point observations whilst they are driving. Or even pull over for a quick rundown of the last incidents.
I teach people a lot of stuff across a range of genres and like they say... everyone learns differently!
Trying to take on board NEW things whilst studying what you are doing already can be extremely difficult and takes a lot of extra concentration. As you say... the automatic and the conscious are initially at one when learning something new and it is only with a step back and then, going forward, with experience that anyone involved in a task can separate what they are achieving sub consciously and what they are trying to achieve actively.
Er... sorry... rambled a bit. I take a lot of interest in the way to teach people effectively
Sometimes it frustrates me how intolerant people can be of others learning methods that are at odds with their own.
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