Driving instructor awarded with MBE

Julia Malkin suffers from autism and Asperger syndrome. Severely bullied at school, she left with no qualifications and few professional prospects. A series of low paid jobs followed, but after witnessing a serious road accident in 2003, Julia decided to train as a driving instructor. This decision would ultimately change her life.

Despite her learning difficulties, Julia not only qualified as an ADI, but went on to become one of the most highly qualified ADIs in the country. She now runs the Excel Driver and Instructor Academy, helping others with similar problems learn to drive, or become instructors themselves. She recently appeared on the BBC 3 documentary ‘Autistic Driving School’. In January this year, she was awarded with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to people with special educational needs. We spoke to Julia to find out more about her work and achievements.

What problems do people with special educational needs face when learning to drive?

Most people with Asperger syndrome will suffer with distractions on the road, judgemental errors, panic in situations such as heavy traffi c and problems understanding instruction if it is unclear. Pupils with dyspraxia will also have poor car control skills, while those with dyslexia could have problems with directions. And we suffer from nerves a great deal, and low self-esteem. So if something goes wrong we blame ourselves.

For ADIs, what are the challenges of teaching people with special educational needs to drive?

ADIs will need many skills over and above normal ADI work. These are covered in Excel’s ‘Revolutions’ course, and include special communication skills, control in emergencies, prevention of panic and correction of errors involving on-road distractions. Plenty of positive feedback is a must, as our self-esteem is naturally very low. And they’ll need endless patience!

How important is learning to drive?

To us, it means the same as it does to you - independence and freedom, as well as improving our job prospects. To us it can be the ultimate achievement.

What does it mean to you to be recognised with an MBE?

To this, I will answer in similar terms to what I said on ‘Autistic Driving School.’ I want every special needs person to know that, whatever society thinks of them, they have the means to achieve if they get the support. I have achieved - so can they, and I am proof that they can. These people are the butt of society’s jokes and are often written off. I want my MBE to stand as proof that people with special educational needs can achieve and we have much to offer society. I want the MBE to give hope to them and their parents and families.

To find out more about Julia, read her blog at http://exceldia.wordpress.com/, or see www.excel-academy.co.uk.