I strongly suspect that I have dyspraxia. I'm 35 and have only just started to put all the pieces together. It's been triggered by my recent attempts to drive and then trying to pick apart why it is that I can't do what comes so easily to everybody else! There are many other signs of course, but I'm not going to list them all here.
Anyway, what I wanted to ask is, how do those of you have haven't been officially diagnosed refer to yourselves? Is it acceptable to say "I'm dyspraxic" when you haven't actually had it confirmed by a medical professional?
I know that at my age (ie not of compulsary education age) it would be hard to get a diagnosis and so I'm inclined not to bother, it seems like too much hassle for barely any support anyway. But I do feel that I need people in some areas of my life (such as potential driving instructors etc) to be aware of my difficulties. So what do I say to them? That I'm dyspraxic? That I have dyspraxic traits?
What do you do, and what do you think is acceptable? I don't want to be accused of making it up!
Hi welcome
have you been to the doctors and asked him for a referral for a Occupational therapist if you want to be recognised as having Dyspraxia.I don't suppose there would be any harm in explaining to your driving instructor that you difficulty in driving they might make allowances for you .
If you go on the forum with day to day living there is a post that may help you with driving tests done with the BSM that might be of some help.There are many adults out there who have grown up without ever having a diagnosis some say it doesn't matter anyway ,but myself personally think that a Diagnosis makes things more official and completes the missing pieces of the jigsaw puzzle and for some it does matter because everything seems to make more sense ,its just a pity many adults have extreme difficulty getting a diagnosis which I think can make you feel more resentful.
If you were in a job that asked you have you got any learning disability and you said yes and told them,if for some reason you were dismissed because of your disability , whether that would stand up in a tribunal on your say so.For some situations I suppose it wouldn't do any harm,
Hi welcome to the forum! I hope you find it as useful as I do.
I can understand what you're saying as I'm in a similar position. I'm 44 and am fairly sure I do have some form of dyspraxia, but I'm going round in circles trying to get a diagnosis. I'm not sure why it's so important to me, because I'm not really looking for help and support as such, just an understanding of why some things have been such a struggle. I'm seeing someone at the local dyspraxia foundation this Saturday, so I'll keep you posted.
I've found this site so brilliant, because I can relate to so much of what people say. It's so easy to get depressed and lose confidence, I've found, because all my life it's been "you're not trying" or "you just lack confidence", but now since I've found out about dyspraxia I'm a lot happier despite having no diagnosis (yet). It also seems my Dad has dyslexia although he's not a test, but all the evidence points that way. He's doing literacy classes, and doing really well, so it just shows that it's never too late. I'm really proud of him doing it because it's taken him years to pluck up the courage. But it's been well worth it.
I struggled a lot with learning to drive, although I did pass my test eventually. I get nervous going on motorways but I'm glad I kept going. I think it may be worth telling the driving instructor about the problems you have, because people do seem to be more aware of this nowadays. I had no idea about anything called dypsraxia when I learned 25 years ago, I just thought I was being stupid. I just found it all so hard. I think if I'd had an understanding of dyspraxia, I would have felt better about it and perhaps had some advice how to overcome the problems sooner.
Good luck with everything, and don't give up. Sometimes I worry that I'm imagining the problems I've got, but when I come on here, I know there are lots of other people in the same position, and this makes me feel better.
Joy, no I haven't been to the doctor about it as I didn't realise there'd be anything like OT available to me. I assumed I'd be left to my own devices post diagnosis (if I got one of course).
I've struggled to find a driving instructor I get on with. My usual instructor was a good friend (although a proper ADI) and she understood me completely and spent a long time working with me on devising routines that didn't involve left or right or rely on some instinctive understanding of which way the wheels would turn etc. But she doesn't instruct anymore and the chap I tried next was not really very patient or understanding. Good to hear about BSM though, I'll check that out, thanks.
Aladdin, I'd be really interested to hear what sort of post diagnostic support is available. As I said above, I assumed there'd be none (after looking into post diagnostic support for Aspergers for my son it seems it's non existent so I figured it'd be the same, if not worse, for an adult diagnosed with dyspraxia) so I'd love to hear about what sort of help I may be able to access. OT I assume (as Joy mentioned), but what else? Physio maybe? I gave up on physio for my ridiculously poor muscle tone after the exercises I was given injured me more and made me housebound for 3 months. So I don't want to go back to the local hospital's rehab department really. I guess a diagnosis would help a DLA claim but I don't think I'd qualify for that anyway. Anyway, I'm rambling now, but yes I'd love to hear your experiences of what support is available
as a self diagnosed 36 year old. then I would say get yourself diagnosed for piece of mind,
but as an actual diagnosed then I am happier that I do know now. not that it makes a real blind bit of difference in the real world, but at least it explains a lot about childhood problems.
but I also did have a lot of anger with finding out. as it was hidden in my medical records for 20 years. and it was withheld from myself, and my parents, school teachers wouldn't allow for any exceptions. so school life was hell x3 million.
learning to drive was easier when I overcame the problem of speed and spacial awareness. which come to think about it, it wasn't until learning to drive a truck that I was quite as aware of the roads. but there again that required 150% concerntration hence failing the practical test twice.
it is better to know, but as far as an instructor goes, then tell them what kind of problems you got. you think you maybe dyspraxic, and see if they can pick up on areas that you might not be so good at. but most of all like others and myself have said on the forum get an instructor who can put you at ease. and learn to drive the first few lessons at a speed you are safe with, learn at your own pace, don't let the instructor put you up for driving tests before you are ready yourself.
Whilst a self diagnosis might answer some of your questions, getting a proper diagnosis would probably be far better in the long term. I myself was diagnosed unofficially by my parents, then by an occupational therapist and subsequently an educational psychologist.
I did not get a diagnosis until I was 67 years old. I was still working and had registered with my employer as disabled 25 years before. With various restructurings it became more difficult for me to manage. Finally the desk less and paperless office came in and that was it.
As my line manager would not believe me that I was unable to organise and work efficiently in the situation and needed tokeep my desk, computer and visual filing shelves, I rang the dyslexia association who gave me access to a solicitor. He gave me the name of a person who was qualified to be an expert witness and who could test me. Cost about £400. The solicitor got me a tribunal date and the employer apologised when he got the report. As I was about to retire it was all too late. I should have paid the money earlier and had the benefit of help from the employment service at every point in my career- talking screens etc as well as their report of the help required which related to the specific job and which my manager would have had to try to implement.
I'm 22 and I also started to suspect that I may be dyspraxic after trying to get a driving licence. I was just hopeless at it and quit the course in the middle. I was constantly confusing clutch, brake and gas pedals, mixed left and right, had problems shifting the gears and needed about 5 lessons to learn to use the steering wheel more or less properly. But the worst was the fact that I was so focused on driving that I wasn't able to pay attention to the traffic anymore, my head usually started to ache, and my instructor had to intervene very often to stop me from hitting other cars.
I was so afraid before each class that I couldn't sleep at night, all because I knew that I was doing something beyond my abilities. But after quitting the course I started to wonder if everything was OK with me, because none of my frieds found it so hard to learn to drive.
Apart from driving I have always been bad at sports and dancing, because I have difficulties making movements with my hands and legs at one time. I can cycle or run and I even learned to swim a bit, but I can't do any swimming style because I can't learn the exact movements. I'm also generally clumsy while walking and sometimes I run into things without even noticing which results in bruises I discover some time later, asking myself: where did I get that from?
I'm getting increasingly sad and frustrated about it, because I'd really like to learn to drive and be better at sports to keep fit.. should I consult a psychologist?
Yes, you probably do have dyspraxia. I understand your frustrations with trying to learn to drive, as I had lots of problems when I first tried learning- I even crashed my dad's car, lol! However, the instructor I had at the time was patronising, and inappropriately compared me to a girl from my class at school who was doing 'so well'. I had a break of a couple of years without having taken a test, then tried again with another instructor, who was a lot more patient and understanding. There are actually driving instructors out there who specialise in teaching people with specific needs such as dyspraxia and asperger syndrome, so it might be worth trying to find out if there is anyone like that in your area. If you can't find one though, at least ask around to try and find an instructor who is patient and calm, but if you happen to end up with the wrong instructor for you do not be afraid to ditch him or her and get someone else.
Re. getting assessed, I think you should try asking your GP first. IMO a younger GP is more likely to have heard of dyspraxia than an older one, but any GP should be able to refer you for assessment on the NHS. If you are referred, it is most likely that you would be assessed by a neurologist. If you have no luck with your GP (although it would be worth persisting to try and get the help), you can be assessed privately by a qualified psycologist. Here is a link for a directory where you can find one:
This thread is very interesting to me - I am going through the same questions - could I be dyspraxic? Should I get tested? Is it worth the stress and expense?
I am touched by Emily's story of waiting a whole working life.
I am struggling at work in a job that, on paper, I am over-qualified for. I can't remember instructions, and last week my colleague criticized me loudly for misfiling a few bits of paperwork, a small thing really but I was so humiliated in an open-plan office.
I have had 3 driving instructors, all of whom made me cry and couldn't understand why I was so scared. I forgot most of the instructions between each lesson, and so never got very far.
I have quite a lot of general anxiety, find socialising, crowds, etc quite distressing.
I am quite relieved to think there may be an answer as to why I have struggled with these strange seemingly unrelated tasks- from drawing a graph, doing up buttons, catching a ball, giving or following directions.
Can anyone in Southern England recommend a reasonably priced professional that could test me?
Thanks Binary, the colleague is the same grade as me, so I did complain to my office manager, who didn't really respond, but I am hoping might at least keep an eye out for me. My direct line manager is not very proactive, and I hate feeling like I am nagging for some support. Its nice to know that I'm not crazy and there might be a reason I rarely stay more than a year in a job. Thanks x
Hi there
I see from your intro post you are in berkshire and I was diagnosed with dyspraxia by a lovely lady Annette dickens in berkshire. She is at the website dyslexia-Annette-dickens.co,uk and she assesses for dyslexia and dyspraxia. I can honestly say that having this diagnosis back in March has changed my life for the better. I have struggled with practical things all my life and it took me three years to learn to drive but I got there in the end.
Annette made quite a few suggestions how to improve things and I now have a job supporting special needs students.
I have also found the dyspraxia foundation brilliant. They have a local group in berkshire.
Thanks Nicky. That is very kind of you. I will look into seeing someone like Annette if the GP will not help me. I have tried to contact the dyspraxia foundation Berks group, but the website has only got a broken email address. So I haven't been able to get in touch. Do you happen to have any df Berkshire contact details? Thanks again
I am 58 years Old and when I started school in 1960 Dyspraxia and related condictions were not recognised. So sadly I have not been assessed for my Dyslexia although all the traits are there that I have Dyspraxia. I would like to be assessed for my Dyslexia but when You become Adult it is very difficult to find someone who would assess you and to go private would be very expensive which I could not afford. I think just refere to my self when nessessary as Dyspraxic as I do have a lot of the traits as I said. Think though You can say whatever You like.I would do not think it would matter really. Sorry don't think I have been much help to you really. Though I wanted to try.
