Driving with Dyscalculia
My dyscalculic daughter is taking driver’s education classes this summer. And from everything I have been learning about dyscalculia, driving is one of those every-day tasks that is more complicated and stressful for dyscalculic individuals.
This is a letter we drafted to the driving school to let them know about my daughter’s situation and needs. While we understand that they will not likely know much about dyscalculia and its impact on driving, we are curious of there are supports or accommodations that might be helpful to her as she learns to drive and navigate the roads.
Driving School Staff,
I am enrolled in your driving school for this summer, and I am curious if there are any supports or accommodations available for dyscalculic individuals?
Dyscalculia is a learning disability which impacts many everyday tasks involving number and quantity. As a dyscalculic, I know this will impact needed skills for learning to drive.
These are some things that are tricky for me and may impact driving:
Memory for numbers-related facts. I struggle to accurately recall numbers, especially multi-digits. This could impact my driving test if memorizing numbers or amounts is required.
Directional sense. I have trouble with directions, such as left/right, north/south, and even remembering which direction I came from or where I am going. Figuring this out in mirrors is especially difficult. I also struggle with making sense of map.
Sequencing of numbers. If I see a speed limit sign for 35, it takes time to figure out where that is on the dashboard, especially if 35 isn’t listed and I need to remember that 35 is between two other numbers.
Mental calculations. Doing quick mental math is difficult. I need time and a calculator or paper to figure things out.
Estimation of amounts, time, or distance. Such as trying to guess the amount of distance between cars, if I have enough space when parking, or enough time to cross a street when a car is coming.
Time awareness and time calculations. It takes extra time to read a clock and make time calculations, and I also lack a sense of time. Having a visual timer or verbal time reminders are helpful.
My parents are going to help me do some research this summer about how dyscalculics learn to drive. Most of what we've seen so far online is that most of them fail their tests multiple times before passing. I'm really hoping this won't be the case for me, because that would be discouraging after spending so much time this summer learning to drive.
Thank you for any thoughts or ideas on supports that might help this learning experience to be a positive one for me, and all the other students like me.
Thank you,
A Dyscalculic Student Driver
Dyscalculic Drivers! Do you have any tips or supports that helped you successfully learn to drive and navigate? I would love to hear your thoughts! I will also share them in an upcoming monthly newsletter article. To share your tips and ideas, please contact me on this form. Thank you in advance for any ideas or helpful tips you have for other dyscalculics navigating driving!
Here are a few responses and tips I’ve received so far from parents or dyscalculic drivers:
“I memorize my turns going in by reciting the opposite. If I go left-right-left to somewhere, I say out loud, “right-left-right” so I know how to return. I have to do it going in or it’s too late.”
“I always approach such exams is constant practice start to finish so I get a pattern of the process. I keep practicing the process trying to get a ‘routine’ together.”
“About directional confusion with horseback riding). We’ve been talking about color-coding the horseback riding reigns by wrapping the right reign in red ribbon (R), and wrapping the left reign in lavender (L). Having a visual representation of the two directions will hopefully help. Maybe something similar could be done inside the car?”
“There are after-market digital speedometers that can be added into any car.”“I use post-its/number stickers and mark/add the common numbers I need that are missing (25, 30, 35, etc) on my dashboard…being able to instantly match my speed to the posted speed limit signs helps immensely. This was a game changer for me! When I've talked to others about this, it’s an unrecognized bit of anxiety that can easily be eliminated.”
“I did have to learn how to listen to MapQuest better and not just overreact. Relaxing as much as possible helps.”
“Digital speedometers and digital dashboards are way easier than the older types.”
“I found it helpful to talk to myself aloud and repeat the instructions to myself.”
“My daughter learned the difference between right and left using ‘starboard’ and ‘port’. She is in her twenties and still confuses it unless we use boat directions.”
“If I know where I’m going I use google earth to try and gauge some of the more difficult lanes. Don’t forget to breathe as I hold my breath which makes the anxiety worse.”
“I painted L and R on my thumb nails so I could take a glance to check which was left and which was right when the driving instructor gave me instructions to turn.”
“I don't think of ‘left’ and ‘right’ when driving, but ‘driver's side’ and 'passenger's side.’”
“North & South I still have no idea, but I remember that the sun rises in the East & sets in the West, so if the sun is in my eyes in the morning, like I'm heading straight toward it, I'm heading East, and if it's in my eyes in the evening, I'm heading west. If it's behind me in the morning (in my eyes when I turn around, or I can easily see it in the rear-view mirror), I'm headed West. If it's behind me in the evening, I'm headed East.”
“Eyesight- my daughter already wore glasses, but she has got contact lenses now and this has helped her a lot.”
“Buy a digital speedometer if your car has a dial speedometer - it has taught her what actual speed is! (it’s been worth the money).”
"In the UK you are allowed to play music in the car on your driving test. This has been the best thing for her as it keeps her mind occupied when it’s silent and stops her from panicking.”“Drawing the road junctions, etc., and explaining who is doing what and why. It’s too much to learn when out on the road!”
“And of course, lots of practice!”