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Right - Left Discrimination Problem

Posted by Dee @danielad, Mar 9, 2019

Hello all -- I have an issue with right-left discrimination. I wonder if anyone can provide any information or suggestions on ways to address this problem?

I am ambidextrous and have always had a small issue with discriminating right and left. However, following a head concussion (fall on wet deck) in May 2018, this problem has become much more pronounced. My neurologist suggested I use "Right-Left Discrimination Workbooks" -- Tried to find them on line, but did not have any success! He also recommended I see a speech therapist for Cognitive Therapy for working memory. I don't have any language issue; however, it seems that speech therapists are the ones doing "Cognitive Therapy". My first appointment is in a week.

Thank you for any help! -- Dee

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Dee | @danielad | Mar 13, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Dee @danielad, I found a link on Psychology Today website that lists therapist in Maclean, VA..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Dee @danielad, I found a link on Psychology Today website that lists therapist in Maclean, VA but it has more selection/search options that you might be able to use to find one that can help you.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/testing-and-evaluation/va/mclean

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Thanks John @johnbishop! I will start perusing it in a little while!!!

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lakelifelady | @lakelifelady | Mar 14, 2019

Sometimes, when in a car giving directions, I say right or left when I mean the opposite and I cannot believe that I did that. My brain knows which way is which but I see one way and say the other. I do an eye to hand exercise where I move my hand back and forth in front of my face and follow with my eyes. Or I sit in a chair and move my eyes back and forth, up and down following my hand.

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Dee | @danielad | Mar 14, 2019
In reply to @lakelifelady "Sometimes, when in a car giving directions, I say right or left when I mean the..." + (show)
@lakelifelady

Sometimes, when in a car giving directions, I say right or left when I mean the opposite and I cannot believe that I did that. My brain knows which way is which but I see one way and say the other. I do an eye to hand exercise where I move my hand back and forth in front of my face and follow with my eyes. Or I sit in a chair and move my eyes back and forth, up and down following my hand.

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Hi @lakelifelady and THANK YOU for the information. Hope it helps me to "retrain"my brain! Though, unlike you -- Are you ready for this? Well ... following the concussion, I "don't know" which is Right and which is Left! In other words, my brain thinks "RIGHT"; I say "RIGHT", but I move my "LEFT" hand (or vice-versa)! Then I look at the other hand and wonder if I moved the correct one ... It is NOT easy these days, because I am constantly second-guessing myself! So I always ask someone to tell me ... I sound pretty idiotic; can you just imagine what people think when I ask: "... is this my right hand or the left one?". Most of the times I laugh at myself, but honestly, it is pretty frustrating! So thank you for the exercise tip. I am going to start working on it right away!! 🙂

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Lyn | @pearlbaby7 | Mar 14, 2019
In reply to @danielad "Hello John @johnbishop. Have looked at the websites you sent and what I found out is..." + (show)
@danielad

Hello John @johnbishop. Have looked at the websites you sent and what I found out is that I have a REAL big problem with right-left discrimination! My brain appears to have been "rewired" to think my left is my right ... and my right is my left. Not only, but if I am driving, walking, or doing anything, I will turn left instead of right because my NEW right IS my left! Have you ever heard of anything like that? It is not something that happens once in a while, it is a constant thing. So I am constantly second-guessing myself. I think that I am way past the stage of simple solutions. I believe I need REAL Cognitive Rehab. What are your thoughts on the matter? Thanks!

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@danielad Dee if you are driving you might want to put a sticker saying Left on your dash or windshield closest to your door and Right above the center of your dash. It would make for safer driving especially in an area you're not familiar with. Should make following directions easier?

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Dee | @danielad | Mar 14, 2019
In reply to @pearlbaby7 "@danielad Dee if you are driving you might want to put a sticker saying Left on..." + (show)
@pearlbaby7

@danielad Dee if you are driving you might want to put a sticker saying Left on your dash or windshield closest to your door and Right above the center of your dash. It would make for safer driving especially in an area you're not familiar with. Should make following directions easier?

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Thanks @pearlbaby7! Great idea! Because when driving, it is all about safety! I have "trained" my poor husband to not "tell" me to go or turn Right or Left, but "show" me by using sweeping "Hand Gestures" ... He is such a good sport ... and sooo helpful!!!

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Lyn | @pearlbaby7 | Mar 14, 2019

@danielad Thanks for the mental image and the chuckle that went with it.

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Dee | @danielad | Mar 14, 2019
In reply to @pearlbaby7 "@danielad Thanks for the mental image and the chuckle that went with it." + (show)
@pearlbaby7

@danielad Thanks for the mental image and the chuckle that went with it.

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@pearlbaby7 -- You are most welcome ... And you are too sweet! 🙂
-Dee

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