Directional Dyslexia

Been dealing with dyslexia whole life manage it pretty well. But since starting CDL School it has gotten really bad. I can tell myself turn the wheel to the right, my brain turns left. I have to use a pen on my shirt to indicate if it's a left turn or right turn on my offset backing. Are there any tricks that I could use. I'm having a rough time figuring out in my brain which way the trailer will turn. Like in 90° or parallel parking. I'm getting really frustrated with myself. I haven't told my instructors yet of my learning issues. Hopefully I can work my way through it. Any tips or technique would be greatly appreciated

Dan, you can overcome this problem. My Eureka moment with backing came when an instructor told me to turn the steering wheel “to the trouble”. In other words, if the back of the trailer is too far to the left, turn the wheel to the left. If too far to the right, turn to the right. I’m not sure if this will help you, but it was the advice that made the most sense to me and I’ve used it ever since.

Hi Dan, I don't know if this will help but I'm a visual person.

Put your hand out flat with your palm down in front of you. Your fingers is the front of the truck. Your palm is the rear of the trailer. Move your fingers to the right and your palm moves to the left and that's how your truck and trailer will move vice versa.

Thank you that's helps alot

Dan, you can overcome this problem. My Eureka moment with backing came when an instructor told me to turn the steering wheel “to the trouble”. In other words, if the back of the trailer is too far to the left, turn the wheel to the left. If too far to the right, turn to the right. I’m not sure if this will help you, but it was the advice that made the most sense to me and I’ve used it ever since.

Dan, you can overcome this problem. My Eureka moment with backing came when an instructor told me to turn the steering wheel “to the trouble”. In other words, if the back of the trailer is too far to the left, turn the wheel to the left. If too far to the right, turn to the right. I’m not sure if this will help you, but it was the advice that made the most sense to me and I’ve used it ever since.

This is basically the advice I got while getting my CDL a few years ago, and it helped out a lot. Once you get used to backing it’ll come second nature. I also have dyslexia.

That REALLY helps also, that visual element is easier to understand. I haven't struggled like this forever. And to be totally honest embarrassed to tell instructors. I'm 53 yrs old, kinda hard to tell people struggling with lefts and rights. My brain just misfires when I over think.

Hi Dan, I don't know if this will help but I'm a visual person.

Put your hand out flat with your palm down in front of you. Your fingers is the front of the truck. Your palm is the rear of the trailer. Move your fingers to the right and your palm moves to the left and that's how your truck and trailer will move vice versa.

An old neighbor lady was a truck driver/trainer for years... She said she'd tell her female trainees, stand, squat at knees, arms out. Twist torso left, which way did their butt move? right, twist right, butt goes left, a variation of the hand trick.