Research into the driving experiences of adults with movement
difficulties
Motor
difficulties affect up to 6% of the population. In the
past these difficulties have been given a number of names including
Dyspraxia and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
Until recently there was little knowledge about what
happens to children as they grow up into
adulthood with difficulties that may have affected them at school and at
home. It is now known that movement difficulties continue into adulthood
for most. One skill that proves especially difficult for adults with DCD/Dyspraxia
is learning to drive a car.
The Dyscovery Centre,
University of Wales, Newport has recently carried out research into the
driving skills of adults with movement difficulties. The research shows
that adults with movement difficulties such as DCD/ Dyspraxia may spend
more time learning to drive than their peers and may need more attempts of
the practical and theory tests. It also indicates that once the driving
test is passed, adults may continue to experience difficulties with
parking, distance estimation and may continue to drive only on familiar
routes.
This research has been
very useful in better understanding the difficulties faced by adults with
DCD/Dyspraxia when learning to drive; now The Dyscovery Centre is keen to
learn more about the experiences of adults who have never learnt to drive,
those that have started and stopped learning, as well as those that are
learning/have passed their test. It is hoped that this information will
help better understand the range of difficulties experienced and may help
inform driving instructors in how to better support adults with movement
difficulties.
If you are interested
in taking part in this research you will need to complete an online
questionnaire, which will take about 20 minutes to complete. To take part,
you should:
·
Be over 17 years of age
·
Have a diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder
(DCD)/Dyspraxia or, have had poor coordination since childhood
Go to
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B9NMVPM
to access the online questionnaire.
If you
have any questions or would prefer to complete a paper based version of
the questionnaire, please contact Lisa Edwards at
dyscoverycentre@newport.ac.uk
or on 01633 432330.
Lisa Edwards
Researcher/ Ymchwilydd
The Dyscovery Centre/ Y Ganolfan Dyscovery
Allt-Yr-Yn Campus/ Campws Allt-Yr-Ynn
University of Wales, Newport/ Prifysgol Cymru, Casnewydd
Newport/ Casnewydd
W: www.dyscovery.org
T:
01633 432330
F: 01633 432331
lisa.edwards@newport.ac.uk
