Driving With Dyslexia Or Dyspraxia

There are many incredible drivers who suffer from dyslexic symptoms - Jackie Stewart is just one great example. However many affected by these symptoms find that the co-ordination required for good driving never becomes “automatic”. This means they are likely to go into “overload” in stressful situations when driving and are likely to hold their hand on the horn for a while or make other impulsive reactions.

If such a person gets stopped by the police their impulsive reactions can get dramatically worse! If they are asked to stand on one leg or walk along a straight line the lack of co-ordination from their vestibular/cerebellar often means that this is difficult or even impossible to do. There have been many cases of dyspraxic sufferers accused of being under the influence when it is nothing of the sort - through no fault of their own, they are like that all day every day.

Don’t Blame Teachers - It isn’t their fault!

Despite Governments' promises of, “Education, education, education” or, in the USA, “No child left behind”, far too many parents are faced with the problem of their child being let down badly. The temptation is to blame the teacher, they represent education policy to the parents. Of course it isn’t their fault, although it is often difficult to remember this when speaking to them.

In my experience teachers are desperate to help children all they can, they will spend as much time as they can possibly spare, and use all the initiative they can muster. They do feel guilty that they know it is woefully inadequate to get the child to where they need to be in the education process.

So if you are a frustrated parent, please try and remember this when you are talking to the teacher - the current Government policy isn't their fault! They know what is needed and would love to have the time and the resources to spend on your child.

A Positive Look Into 2008

Well, 2007 was really a mixed bag! On the positive side some very influential researchers made it clear that they were looking very hard at the possibilities of using Cerebellar Development to transform children’s lives. On the negative side those with vested interests seemed to dig their heels in even harder.

So, what does that mean for 2008? My hope and expectation is that the research results and thousands of wonderful case studies will spread the word to the millions who are currently unaware that you don’t have to live with problems such as; poor reading, poor concentration, poor physical co-ordination and low self-esteem – something can be done to help!

Let’s hope that the Government policy makers hear about it and act on it in 2008. It should be painfully obvious to them that their actions in recent years has had very little impact on the lives of children and families affected by learning issues, and that it is time to try something that really works.