The areas I cover in Nottingham vary based on my current availability but include Stapleford, Beeston, Toton, Chilwell, Long Eaton, Sawley, Wollaton, Bramcote, Sandiacre, Trowell, Draycott, Breaston, Risley, Ockbrook, Attenborough, Borrowash, Aspley, Strelley and Bilborough. Nottingham postcodes covered for driving lessons are NG9, NG10 and partially NG8 and DE72 but outside of this I do offer meeting points for pupils travelling into my catchment area.

Please note I only teach automatic driving lessons but can happily provide manual driving school recommendations. For more details visit my contact me page.

The course and teaching will need to be adjusted to suit the individuals needs, often presented in bite size chunks and an overall patient acceptance that it might take significantly longer to achieve the goals.

It is common that the pupil may experience more difficulty with the theory test than the driving test. To target this I provide a range of accessible resources including a daily support group, online preparation, flash cards and an educational theory colouring book. I offer monitored support and increase this when necessary. I guide my pupils through the accomodations we can request for both the theory and the driving test and often accompany them to the theory test centre incorporating the experience into a driving lesson.

I always aim to create a positive, upbeat and enjoyable learning experience focused on the strengths of the individual. Where relevant or requested I encourage feedback to family or friends to include them in the course development, it is common for those close to the student to have helpful guidance which I am always open to. I am an advocate of focused private practice alongside the driving course.

For my own education and continued professional development I study SEN through audiobooks, podcasts, reading and courses to expand my own understanding. The most beneficial experience has been the years of practical work alongside SEN pupils and appreciating the sheer diversity within autism and suchlike. The most valuable lesson I have learned is to actively listen to the student and their input, I aspire to be creative, compassionate and patient working within the pupils learning styles.

It is crucial to work to the pupils pace and strengths, possibly leveraging hobbies and interests to spur development. Driving is a vast skill incorporating and multi-tasking physical co-ordination, memory skills, rapid information processing, awareness and planning, complex judgement, imagination and prediction. Potentially those with learning difficulties and special needs can find that driving brings out known or hidden issues and this leads to frustration, especially if they feel compared to friends and family who got through the process relatively trouble free.

Driving can be an essential skill so it is important to find a way for the student to become a safe driver, not to abandon them because they are struggling or encountering difficulties. It is necessary to be honest and open about the rate of development, timescales and potential costs involved.

Despite many years specialising in SEN I am concious of how much more I have to learn. My diary is always filled with pupils with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD/ADD, autism/ASD, Aspergers, anxiety, PTSD/CPTSD, cerebral palsy, genetic conditions and various other learning difficulties and additional needs. It requires understanding, patience and determination. It should be as fun as possible because enjoyment promotes learning. If you want to chat feel free to ring me, if you can’t get hold of me it just means I’m teaching. Leave me a message and I will get back to you.

:)

Rob Cooling ADI

Automatic Driving Instructor in Nottingham

I began teaching driving in 2005 but in 2011 turned my focus to pupils with special needs. I found this challenging yet rewarding, especially supporting pupils who had previously had poor experiences. An approach which adapts the pace of the learning to the pace of the pupils needs is vital. Many people just need more time to break the learning down into creative, manageable goals and gradually build up the big picture to achieve success.

I provide driving courses for pupils with special needs, learning difficulties, anxiety or those who experience difficulties with the process of learning to drive. I offer a comprehensive and structured course based around building strong and safe driving foundations, my course is not a quick rush to the driving test. Although structured and tracked to give a sense of purpose and clear goals the course is also adaptable to student needs. I take a client centred approach to learning to engage the student in their own lesson planning, goal setting and self analysis. Due to the diversity of my pupils I have as much to learn from them as they do from me, I will always do my best to listen and adapt.

SEN (Special / Specific Educational Needs) & Disability Experience

Aspergers, autism / ASD / ASC, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, alpha mannosidosis, foetal alcohol syndrome, ADHD / ADD, anxiety, PTSD / CPTSD, sensory processing disorder (SPD), Proximal Junctional Kyphosis (PJK), learning difficulties and disability, bi-lateral co-ordination problems, pathological demand avoidance (PDA), muscle weakness, fibromyalgia and physical disability.

If you are receiving PIP Enhanced Rate or DLA Higher Rate you could be entitled to support with a car and a grant towards driving lessons. I also specialise in teaching and supporting elderly / mature drivers. I teach in an automatic (electric) car and I have a profile on the specialist Disability Driving Instructors website.

DRIVING TEST : To learn about provisions for learning difficulties / special needs and the driving test click here.

THEORY TEST : To learn about provisions for learning difficulties / special needs and the theory test click here.