Hi, I think I have dyspraxia. I don't know what to do next and i'm looking for some advice really. Should I go to my GP to get diagnosed? what happens after that, do i take medication? tell my employers?
Sorry to ramble on, i had better tell you a bit about myself.
My name is Laura, i'm 24. I became aware that i may have dyspraxia through learning to drive. I am finding the manouvres quite difficult. i still can't figure out when and how to turn the wheel and should i turn it left or right?
By chance, I got talking to a driving instuctor in a forum and he teaches people with disabilities. he talked about dyspraxia and i was intrigued and wanted to find out more. I was shocked when I read about the condition as I could relate to the majority of things.
I started to think about my life and what i was like growing up. I used to find it hard to make new friends. I didn't like to have too many friends i was only ever comfortable with one.
I used to find it hard to walk in a straight line some days (does that sound weird) bump into things.
I was (and still am) useless at maths, in fact I didn't even get a mark in my GCSE exam.
I was brilliant at spelling and reading though does that mean i am not dyspraxic?
Sorry i could go on for ages i got so many questions
x
Help...
Moderator: Moderator Team
Hi and welcome to the forum,
What you've described does sound very much like dyspraxia. I'm learning to drive (again) at the moment and also find that knowing which way to turn the wheel especially during manoeuvres doesn't come naturally.
Whether you want to get a diagnosis or tell your employer is really up to you.
As far as getting a diagnosis is concerned it's not always terribly easy to obtain if you're outside of full time education which I assume you are. You can try approaching your GP although often they don't have experience of dealing with dyspraxia and may not necessarily refer you to the most useful consultant. I for instance was referred to a neuro-psychologist which was a complete waste of time, although some have had more luck with Occupational Therapists and others. It can still be a bit hit and miss however. Beyond this you could look at going privately. The Dyscovery Centre is one organisation through which you can obtain an assessment.
It is worth asking whether you do need an assessment, however. Being assessed and having the diagnosis on a piece of paper might be useful if you're wanting help in your workplace or in other areas. If you don't then you could do what some do and like with the knowledge that you're pretty sure that it's dyspraxia that you've got and set about learning about the difficulties that dyspraxia can cause and the best ways to overcome them.
I hope this helps, and again welcome to the forum!
Dan,
Forum Admin.
What you've described does sound very much like dyspraxia. I'm learning to drive (again) at the moment and also find that knowing which way to turn the wheel especially during manoeuvres doesn't come naturally.
Whether you want to get a diagnosis or tell your employer is really up to you.
As far as getting a diagnosis is concerned it's not always terribly easy to obtain if you're outside of full time education which I assume you are. You can try approaching your GP although often they don't have experience of dealing with dyspraxia and may not necessarily refer you to the most useful consultant. I for instance was referred to a neuro-psychologist which was a complete waste of time, although some have had more luck with Occupational Therapists and others. It can still be a bit hit and miss however. Beyond this you could look at going privately. The Dyscovery Centre is one organisation through which you can obtain an assessment.
It is worth asking whether you do need an assessment, however. Being assessed and having the diagnosis on a piece of paper might be useful if you're wanting help in your workplace or in other areas. If you don't then you could do what some do and like with the knowledge that you're pretty sure that it's dyspraxia that you've got and set about learning about the difficulties that dyspraxia can cause and the best ways to overcome them.
I hope this helps, and again welcome to the forum!
Dan,
Forum Admin.
Hi Dan,
Thanks for your reply. I think I would like to get diagnosed for peace of mind really. If I don't i think there will always be a part of me that thinks i am just overreacting or making excuses, I think i would just like it 'confirmed' if that makes sense?
I have already been on the dyscovery centre website and i dont think i can afford the fees at the moment. I think it was £75 for the initial fee but the treatment and consultations are really expensive.
maybe I will just live with it for now and do some research.
As for learning to drive, there is a brilliant website http://www.2pass.co.uk that has a forum where you can posts questions and meet other learners and get support and advice. This is where i found out about dyspraxia, from a driving instructor who specialises in teaching people with learning disabilities.
Good luck with your driving and thanks for your reply, you will probably see me a lot on this forum
Laura
x
Thanks for your reply. I think I would like to get diagnosed for peace of mind really. If I don't i think there will always be a part of me that thinks i am just overreacting or making excuses, I think i would just like it 'confirmed' if that makes sense?
I have already been on the dyscovery centre website and i dont think i can afford the fees at the moment. I think it was £75 for the initial fee but the treatment and consultations are really expensive.
maybe I will just live with it for now and do some research.
As for learning to drive, there is a brilliant website http://www.2pass.co.uk that has a forum where you can posts questions and meet other learners and get support and advice. This is where i found out about dyspraxia, from a driving instructor who specialises in teaching people with learning disabilities.
Good luck with your driving and thanks for your reply, you will probably see me a lot on this forum
Laura
x
Private assessments are generally pricey - perhaps around £200-£300. By all means look into seeing your GP about it, but I'd recommend reading up about the assessment possibilities first and pushing to see whichever consultant or specialist would best do the job for you.
In terms of driving I find I vary a lot from day to day. Some days I can't concentrate at all but today (I've just got back from a lesson) I had a Omega 3 capsule before head and I did really well. Dyspraxia seems to be like that with a lot of things - we're often talking about having 'dyspraxic days' on the forum, or should that be a dyspraxic daze?
Speaking of the forum, feel free to browse past messages and threads and even restart old threads if there's something you'd like to ask or contribute.
Dan.
In terms of driving I find I vary a lot from day to day. Some days I can't concentrate at all but today (I've just got back from a lesson) I had a Omega 3 capsule before head and I did really well. Dyspraxia seems to be like that with a lot of things - we're often talking about having 'dyspraxic days' on the forum, or should that be a dyspraxic daze?
Speaking of the forum, feel free to browse past messages and threads and even restart old threads if there's something you'd like to ask or contribute.
Dan.
I vary in my driving too, some days i can have a really good lesson and others i am terrible! manouvres really freak me out though, it's like a paralell world when you look in your mirror and try to reverse!
I have had three tests so far and on my last test my mind went completely blank and I FORGOT which way to turn the steering wheel when reversing. It happens a lot when under pressure.
I have heard of Omega 3 capsules, they help with memory dont they? I read somewhere you should take them on a regular basis and your memory will improve. Think i will do some research on this!
I have had three tests so far and on my last test my mind went completely blank and I FORGOT which way to turn the steering wheel when reversing. It happens a lot when under pressure.
I have heard of Omega 3 capsules, they help with memory dont they? I read somewhere you should take them on a regular basis and your memory will improve. Think i will do some research on this!
Hi Lauraj,
Welcome to the forum, the only way I found out was by watching tv when the topic came on, and thought that does sound like me, then spoken to my mother, as I knew she had seen something some years earlier, and written the name on a piece of paper, but never followed it up.
as a child then I was sent to quite a few medicals, but never told anything about the outcome,
well after speaking to my mother, I went onto the inter-net to find out more about it, and then 2 years and nearly 3 months ago, I went to my GP, and said that I would like to view my medical records, but didn't know how to go about it, well it was only needing to speak to him.
then I went to view the medical records about 2 years 2 months ago, and found a medical record, and as I didn't have enough time to read it, I got the receptionist to photocopy it, and then picked it up a few days later.
in it, it said I do have the condition,
as for learning to drive, then I learner with no real problems in a car, apart from slightly via-ring off to the left, but managed to pass my car driving test first time.
I do however have more problems trying to pass my large goods vehicle license, as I am up to the 3rd driving test whenever I do it,
what I would say is it is a lot better knowing, rather than not knowing. write more later, as I have got to go out
Welcome to the forum, the only way I found out was by watching tv when the topic came on, and thought that does sound like me, then spoken to my mother, as I knew she had seen something some years earlier, and written the name on a piece of paper, but never followed it up.
as a child then I was sent to quite a few medicals, but never told anything about the outcome,
well after speaking to my mother, I went onto the inter-net to find out more about it, and then 2 years and nearly 3 months ago, I went to my GP, and said that I would like to view my medical records, but didn't know how to go about it, well it was only needing to speak to him.
then I went to view the medical records about 2 years 2 months ago, and found a medical record, and as I didn't have enough time to read it, I got the receptionist to photocopy it, and then picked it up a few days later.
in it, it said I do have the condition,
as for learning to drive, then I learner with no real problems in a car, apart from slightly via-ring off to the left, but managed to pass my car driving test first time.
I do however have more problems trying to pass my large goods vehicle license, as I am up to the 3rd driving test whenever I do it,
what I would say is it is a lot better knowing, rather than not knowing. write more later, as I have got to go out
Mike
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Hiya n welcome Laura 
I am one of these undiagnosed dyspraxics, but I am very confident in my own diagnosis after contacting some professionals (which I didnt have to pay for) and just researching and asking my friend's and families opinions.
Dont beat yourself up if you struggle with driving. I tried and I can't do it....to be honest, now I know where my dyspraxic strengths n weaknesses are, I know I could never do it, I would be a danger to myself and others. A lot of dyspraxics can drive, from what I have learnt I think a lot can manage an automatic if not a manual.
I hope that you find the answers you are looking for on here, we are all here to help
I am one of these undiagnosed dyspraxics, but I am very confident in my own diagnosis after contacting some professionals (which I didnt have to pay for) and just researching and asking my friend's and families opinions.
Dont beat yourself up if you struggle with driving. I tried and I can't do it....to be honest, now I know where my dyspraxic strengths n weaknesses are, I know I could never do it, I would be a danger to myself and others. A lot of dyspraxics can drive, from what I have learnt I think a lot can manage an automatic if not a manual.
I hope that you find the answers you are looking for on here, we are all here to help
I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never ever gonna keep me down
and what I have seen in my lifetime from the system, then your own diagnosis is better than trying to get to see someone, ok so I was right, but, we were never told anything until I found the information in my medical records.
ok, so it is better to know, but as far as I am concerned, then I won't go spending 1,000's on a diagnosis and treatment, when I got better things to do with my money!!
I have struggled the first 20 years of my life trying to get someone to listen, and spent the last 10 just getting to do what I want in my life, and basically 2 fingures up to the system when they don't want to listen!
so I would suggest getting a normal diagnosis to put your mind to rest, but then totally up to you, if you want to spend money, as most of the speciallists I went to see, I ended up teaching, not the other way around.
if you feel safe enough, and willing enough to learn to drive, then go for it, might take you some time, but if you are willing, and learn to relax then go for your driving test, then there is more chance of you passing it, but you got to be able to feel comfortable, and like the car is part of you.
I found having a few laughs with the driving instructor helped me with that, plus I spent months on a video game, and out with my father nearly every night for 3 months. (whenever I could drag him out and gag him!!)
as my father doesn't like being a passenger in a car, and not the best person to have sat next to me while driving, but at the same time, I found that it has helped, as he wouldn't let me drive at 29 or 31 in a 30 zone, it had to be spot on 30 mph, and things like that.
so when it came to driving lessons with the instructor, then I was used to having a strict instructor, and made learning in the wagon easier.
so my suggestion with that, is if you got an instructor that can't make you laugh, and relax in the car, then get rid, and find one that can relax you, as you will find that you do a lot better.
ok, so it is better to know, but as far as I am concerned, then I won't go spending 1,000's on a diagnosis and treatment, when I got better things to do with my money!!
I have struggled the first 20 years of my life trying to get someone to listen, and spent the last 10 just getting to do what I want in my life, and basically 2 fingures up to the system when they don't want to listen!
so I would suggest getting a normal diagnosis to put your mind to rest, but then totally up to you, if you want to spend money, as most of the speciallists I went to see, I ended up teaching, not the other way around.
if you feel safe enough, and willing enough to learn to drive, then go for it, might take you some time, but if you are willing, and learn to relax then go for your driving test, then there is more chance of you passing it, but you got to be able to feel comfortable, and like the car is part of you.
I found having a few laughs with the driving instructor helped me with that, plus I spent months on a video game, and out with my father nearly every night for 3 months. (whenever I could drag him out and gag him!!)
as my father doesn't like being a passenger in a car, and not the best person to have sat next to me while driving, but at the same time, I found that it has helped, as he wouldn't let me drive at 29 or 31 in a 30 zone, it had to be spot on 30 mph, and things like that.
so when it came to driving lessons with the instructor, then I was used to having a strict instructor, and made learning in the wagon easier.
so my suggestion with that, is if you got an instructor that can't make you laugh, and relax in the car, then get rid, and find one that can relax you, as you will find that you do a lot better.
Mike
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That's just the good ones. The average 'omega 3' supplements available in shops are rip-offs. A worthwhile source will promise at least 200mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per day and if derived from fish, should guarantee that it's had heavy metals and oxidants removed. I have read that this can reduce some symptoms of dyspraxia, among other things.lauraj wrote:I have heard of Omega 3 capsules, they help with memory dont they? I read somewhere you should take them on a regular basis and your memory will improve. Think i will do some research on this!