Left from Right

JanAgro · Post by **JanAgro** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:16 pm

My most annoying problem is that i keep forgetting which side is left and which is right. I have to keep on reminding myself that my heart is on my left side so i know which side is left. Today i claearly pointed right and said left,while giving someone directions. This was slightly embarassing as my friend were right there watching me make this mistake.
Of all the things i get from dyspraxia its easily the most embrassing am inability to pan is being scattered ,an inability to interact socially is shyness, bad co-orination is not that bad ,but not being able to tell left from right is just looked on as being foolishness

Post by **Pooky** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 6:06 pm

I have a slightly different issue. I know my left from my right if I think about it. However it doesn't come instictively.

So if I am giving directions myself,I have the time to think what I am doing.

If someone gives me an instruction for left or right which is required to be done instantly this is where I struggle. I find myself sometimes going for the right, then when the brain catches up and I have had chance to think about it I go for the left.

Post by **Shadwell** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:01 pm

don't worry, I know I have done hand directions, and still the words came out wrong when being asked for directions.

when on my last driving test, then I had to think which was right, while trying to concerntrate on driving the truck, watching my mirrors constantly, and my road positioning, and driving in the city, which I don't do with the car, so didn't have any clue on where I was or anything.

so it can muddle you up completely.

Liz944 · Post by **Liz944** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 11:24 pm

I have same problem alway being told "no the other left"...

Used to horse ride and have dressage lessons. On one occasion my instructor told me to turn right... which I tried to get the horse to go left... the horse had completely different ideas and throw me forward into a wall in indision (can horses be dispraxic???). Do not wish to repeat the experience...

rah · Post by **rah** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:55 am

Pooky wrote:I have a slightly different issue. I know my left from my right if I think about it. However it doesn't come instictively.

So if I am giving directions myself,I have the time to think what I am doing.

If someone gives me an instruction for left or right which is required to be done instantly this is where I struggle. I find myself sometimes going for the right, then when the brain catches up and I have had chance to think about it I go for the left.

yeah, it's the same for me...i find myself walking around and constantly reminding myself in my head which way is left and which way is right!

i've been taking sign language lessons and i'm finding it a bit of a nightmare when the teacher says something like "your right hand should be moving but your left hand stays still" or "your hand should be moving anti-clockwise" and i have to sit and think about which way is clockwise and which way is anti-clockwise whereas everyone else manages to get it straightaway!

luckily, a friend of mine who goes is dyslexic and she has similar problems with left/right so we tend to joke our way through it and help each other.

Post by **Shadwell** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 8:20 pm

good luck with the sign language bit rah! all I know is the alphabet, but comes in really handy when my friends gf/wife to be can't understand lip reading me.

me, and my friend used to sit up late in college learning sign language, as I was in the halls of residence with him.

we made up our own sign for the space as well, so the other person knew it was the end of the word!! you will find that you might do better learning it with a friend as a hobbie type of thing, as it is less formal!!

and also helps you ease off the pressure a bit as well.

Mike

KxWaal · Post by **KxWaal** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 5:47 pm

i can usually tell my left or right... the problem comes in discerning the left and right in other people. like if someone is standing facing me and is demonstrating something that is specific to either hand - i have to sorta mentally "turn myself around" - so i can compare it to my own left and right that way.

sheppeyescapee · Post by **sheppeyescapee** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 9:18 pm

Interesting. I have problems with remembering left and right, the only way I can tell is either by picking up a pen or looking at the hand with the scar. I'll also do the hand direction thing, saying one thing but pointing the other way.

Lithium_joe · Post by **Lithium_joe** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:07 pm

I'd say I know my left from my right but am prone to mistakes so for instance learning to parallel park was a night mare.

(for the record: back until reach wheels level, turn wheel LEFT 1 turn. Drift out until approx 45 degrees, straighten wheels. Reverse backwards until rear of car is pointing to kerb, then full-lock wheel to the RIGHT, drift in until parallel to car in front, straighten wheels reverse back and looking back stop and handbrake.)

or in short: back, left, back, right, back, stop.

For my test I had the instructor paste left and right onto my wheel so I knew when the wheel was upside down!

eoakley · Post by **eoakley** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:24 pm

i also get the two confused but remember the left by putting my hands in front of me and making an L shape with my thumb and finger

The Lurker · Post by **The Lurker** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:27 am

Don't ask me for directions

rah · Post by **rah** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 6:26 pm

eoakley wrote:i also get the two confused but remember the left by putting my hands in front of me and making an L shape with my thumb and finger

you see, i'm always being told to do that, but i don't find it any quicker or easier because i then have to try and remember which way round an L goes!

gherkin001 · Post by **gherkin001** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 3:42 pm

I have to check my hands. if you hold your thumb away from the rest of your hand palm side down the left actually resembles an "L" not much use if your dyslexic but it helps me.