Following geographical directions, getting from point a to point b has long been a challenge for me, dating back to kindergarten. Getting home from school was a 2 minute walk at the most. However, when my older sister forgot to pick me up after school, I would go to the office and call home because I was unable (or too scared) to find my way home on my own. I did eventually make it home from school with ease but as I grew older the geographical expectations increased and my ability to navigate the space around me; did not automatically increase.
However, my situation did get better over time! When I was in college, I discovered websites such as mapquest and google maps and I learned that I could type in a starting point and destination and receive step by step directions for how to get there. Having printed directions to follow was crucial because if I had to find my way independently for the first time I was more likely to be successful. Not gauranteed, but more likely. Also, I felt great about myself when I could complete the geographical task successfully! However, if I did not idependently find my way, if I was following someone or just riding in the car, my "brain did not learn the way." The next time I had to make that trip, I would remember very little about how to get from point a to point b, even if I had made that trip several times.
I also found more strategies to increase my geographical success. Though navigation is still not a strength of mine I have found ways to adapt so it does not limit my life. First, whenever I am going somewhere new I try to leave in plenty of time to get there. If I am running late, stress/anxiety tends to disrupt my ability and think logically about how to get from here to there. I also tell people, in good taste, that I have a poor sense of direction. For example, my group of friends that I go out with know that I have a harder time finding my way around. Letting them know that has been helpful because it takes the pressure off me to help navigate and if I give bad directions or something goes wrong we can laugh about it, etc instead of me feeling embarrassed.
A challenge does not necessarily mean it is a limitation. Remember that.
Questions? Comments?
