Excel Driver and Instructor Academy of Leicester (Exceldia) believes that all can learn if they receive the correct training and support.
Julia Malkin, MBE, MA, BA (Hons), FdA (MVCO), MInstMTD, MIDER, MAIRSO, Dip. DI, Dip. OFADI, Dip. LCW (Open), DSA ADI (Car), DSA RFDT (Cat. B.), Cert. Bus. Std. (Open), AMInstLM, ACQI, MIAM established Exceldia in 2008.
Exceldia is renowned for special needs driver training and driving instructor training services, which will soon be spreading across the UK.
Ever since Exceldia began training approved driving instructors (ADIs) 5 years ago, the pass rate has been 100% – every trainee taken on with Exceldia has qualified as an ADI. Julia Malkin, Director of Training and Development, is a DSA Fleet registered and ORDIT-registered trainer and received a Grade 6 at the first check test, followed by a high-end Fleet Grade 5 at the second, despite having autism, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, Irlen’s syndrome and ADHD. Her husband Colin Malkin, Finance Director, has dyslexia.
Every ADI who has trained at Excel Academy for check-test training has received a higher grade than the one held prior to training – except the Grade 6 ones of course!
Julia received an MBE (Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the New Year 2011 Honours List, for her services to people with special educational needs. You can view the article in the Leicester Mercury at http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Unsung-heroes-join-stars-honoured-Queen/article-3052739-detail/article.html . There are more details on the MBE page!
Besides training instructors, Exceldia offers training for all stages of a driver’s career, from learning to drive to becoming one of the most advanced drivers on the road!
One of Exceldia’s goals is to ensure that every special needs pupil has a special-need trained ADI within 30 miles of where they live. This is becoming possible thanks to the award-winning course called ‘Revolutions.’
The ‘Revolutions’ course takes ADIs into another world as they learn to teach those with special educational needs – it covers everything from autism and ADHD through to panic attacks and confidence issues. For more information, see the ‘Revolutions Course’ link!
In response to demand from driving instructors, Excel Academy has now produced ‘Revolutions Plus,’ a sequel course to ‘Revolutions.’ This course goes into more detail and depth, as well as more hair-raising situations – learn to control both your car and your pupil if they have a panic attack behind the wheel of your car – in fast-moving traffic!
Coaching has also become part of the Excel training programme, with the new course ‘Reflections’ being designed in 2010 for ADIs to coach all pupils including special needs pupils.
The now-established ‘SmartStart’ foundation course for special needs learner drivers takes them gently through their first steps behind the wheel. The only course of its kind, ‘SmartStart’ provides a gentle yet confidence-building start to driving, with the option of going on further courses as the training progresses. Many mums and dads are amazed at their daughter or son driving while they watch from the back seat! For more information, see our ‘SmartStart – A gentle start to driving’ link.
Besides driver training, Exceldia also offers help for all people with autism, Asperger syndrome and ADHD, as well as mental health problems and dyslexia. This assistance goes beyond driving into other aspects of a person’s life. From trying to learn at college to being on the verge of suicide, Exceldia can help.
Julia Malkin has autism. Her products are helping others succeed. Find out more at www.excel-academy.co.uk . This opens in a separate window.
Many of the products designed by Julia to help others learn, both inside and outside the world of driver training, have made Exceldia an award-winning establishment. Exceldia won the ADI Industry Achievement Award 2010 and was runner-up in the East Midlands’ ‘Women of Worth’ Most Innovative Business Awards 2010. Exceldia takes pride in pioneering new learning and development ideas. See the ‘Awards’ section for more information!
At Exceldia, our motto is ‘Inclusion through Innovation.’
Julia Malkin is the UK’s most qualified driving instructor (Leicester Mercury, 22 May 2010). She has at present just finished -
- MA in Modern Literature and Creative Writing (With Asperger syndrome) at the University of Leicester
- Foundation Degree in Managing Voluntary and Community Organisations at the University of Leicester
- A BA (Hons) at the Open University (2:1 grade) including counselling and educational inclusion
- A Diploma Level 3 in Psychology .
…all of the above were done at the same time, between 2008 and 2012.
Recent qualifications at Level 3 include Alcohol and Health, Childhood and Youth Studies, Modern Lifestyle Diseases, Mental Health and Leadership and Management.
Julia also will be finishing a BSc in the spring of 2012 and an Advanced Diploma in Special Needs in Education in the summer of 2012, both at The Open University . She is also doing a BA (Hons) in Childhood and Youth Studies at The Open University.
She is also a PhD student at the University of Leicester, which will involve creative writing regarding the analysis of the world through the eyes of the Asperger syndrome person. The PhD is full-time, due to finish in 2014.
Only through innovation has she succeeded – Exceldia’s goal is to pioneer innovation for all to succeed. Find Julia Malkin on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and feel free to email at exceldia@ntlworld.com .
Success starts here!
