Typing and use of a 10-key Adding Machine

[Rasputin]

I was curious if having ASD could impact one's ability to learn how to type and to learn how to use a 10-key adding machine. These are two skills that I was unable to learn for some reason. I also have horrible handwriting.

Anyone ever heard of this?

 

[GadAbout]

Yes, I've heard of it. ASD definitely can impair certain motor tasks. Sometimes it's whole body clumsiness. Often, it's terrible handwriting.

But I was wondering - did you ever take an actual class? It can be hard to learn these things on your own.

 

[Mia]

I had difficulty learning to type in a typewriting class when I was a teenager. In that particular class the keyboard was blank and you looked at a blackboard with the letters and numbers drawn on it, so you would learn not to look at the keyboard while typing. This was the standard method at the time. I had to look at my fingers on the keyboard.

What I eventually did, was memorize or speed read the assigned text to type. So I learned in a different way and was able to become fast by doing so. Passed the course, but did it in a way that worked for me.

 

[clg114]

I graduated from high school in 1964 and did not take typing. In those days, girls took typing and boys took shop. That is just the way it was. I did not own a computer until I was in my fifties and never needed to know how to type until then. I use a two finger pecking system. So I have never been taught to type or use a ten key adding machine. I am very clumsy and have terrible handwriting. I do believe that ASD causes the clumsiness and handwriting issues.

 

[Nervous Rex]

I never learned to use the 10-key, and I never touch that part of the keyboard.

I had a typing class in high school and started turning in typewritten homework assignments because my handwriting was (is still!) so bad that teachers would be marking stuff wrong that I got right, because they couldn't read it. When I got a job as a programmer, I made myself type everything longhand, even if there were shortcuts for it. I did that for years, just to make myself a better typist.

Later on, I would get complaints from people in the cubicle next to me that they couldn't concentrate because I was typing too fast.

 

[Rasputin]

Yes, I've heard of it. ASD definitely can impair certain motor tasks. Sometimes it's whole body clumsiness. Often, it's terrible handwriting.

But I was wondering - did you ever take an actual class? It can be hard to learn these things on your own.

Yes I took classes in high school.and college, and was failing. I read where there is a condition called Amblyopia that is common among children with ASD, which I have had all my life. I had surgery on both eyes in 1996, and was referred to an eye surgeon just last year. I have a huge blind spot in the center of my vision because my brain does not send signals to my eyes properly. I also have strong prisms to help bring my eyes into alignment, but still have problems with double vision, particularly at night. I did not know there was an association between amblyopia and ASD until now, but that might explain these issues.

 

[Rasputin]

I never learned to use the 10-key, and I never touch that part of the keyboard.

I had a typing class in high school and started turning in typewritten homework assignments because my handwriting was (is still!) so bad that teachers would be marking stuff wrong that I got right, because they couldn't read it. When I got a job as a programmer, I made myself type everything longhand, even if there were shortcuts for it. I did that for years, just to make myself a better typist.

Later on, I would get complaints from people in the cubicle next to me that they couldn't concentrate because I was typing too fast.

Sounds like you and I are alike. I also worked as a programmer, and later as a project manager. I also am a CPA and practiced accounting for a period of time. A d imagine to this day I can not use a 10 key or type like a normal person.

 

[Rasputin]

Yes, I've heard of it. ASD definitely can impair certain motor tasks. Sometimes it's whole body clumsiness. Often, it's terrible handwriting.

But I was wondering - did you ever take an actual class? It can be hard to learn these things on your own.

Because of the poor handwriting and difficulty in taking notes (picking out main ideas) I did not take notes in college. I have an amazing memory however, and can recall anything I read or hear. So, I was able to go through college, completing three advanced degrees along the way, without taking notes in class.

 

[Streetwise]

Yes I took classes in high school.and college, and was failing. I read where there is a condition called Amblyopia that is common among children with ASD, which I have had all my life. I had surgery on both eyes in 1996, and was referred to an eye surgeon just last year. I have a huge blind spot in the center of my vision because my brain does not send signals to my eyes properly. I also have strong prisms to help bring my eyes into alignment, but still have problems with double vision, particularly at night. I did not know there was an association between amblyopia and ASD until now, but that might explain these issues.

To give you some hope I used to do the single finger jab at the keyboard because of pain I've just started to use two fingers one on each hand and sometimes more so I think the autistic brain can do it but we have to be desperate

 

[Thinx]

People with Autism are noted to sometimes have problems with motor coordination, and sometimes this may be diagnosed as Dyspraxia. I'm quite clumsy and had to work hard to get my handwriting better. I am poor at sports, or any skills requiring coordination like playing an instrument. I can't type except using two fingers, but am reasonably quick at that. In my opinion. I can't drive either. That's partly executive function issues maybe, too.

 

[Rasputin]

I had difficulty learning to type in a typewriting class when I was a teenager. In that particular class the keyboard was blank and you looked at a blackboard with the letters and numbers drawn on it, so you would learn not to look at the keyboard while typing. This was the standard method at the time. I had to look at my fingers on the keyboard.

What I eventually did, was memorize and speed read the assigned text to type. So I learned in a different way and was able to become fast by doing so. Passed the course, but did it in a way that worked for me.

I tried that, but I just sucked at typing.

 

[Progster]

Yep, I have bad handwiting and am a lot slower at typing than most people despite having had years of practice.

 

[Rasputin]

People with Autism are noted to sometimes have problems with motor coordination, and sometimes this may be diagnosed as Dyspraxia. I'm quite clumsy and had to work hard to get my handwriting better. I am poor at sports, or any skills requiring coordination like playing an instrument. I can't type except using two fingers, but am reasonably quick at that. In my opinion. I can't drive either. That's partly executive function issues maybe, too.

I am not very good at sports either. My wife and her sister will not ride in my car when I am driving.

 

[Isadoorian]

Cursive/Handwriting I've always been terrible at; a fear because of that is I could at some point in the future be accused of fraud or similar since my handwriting never really matches

Typing on a keyboard; I kind of peck but still use all my fingers... a little hard to describe. But the proper way is just too awkward for me, always has been. You pretty much need slightly longer fingers than humanly possible to reach some of the keys

Even though I type strange, I average around 40WPM if I don't go back and correct any mistakes, which I tend to make frequently due to how fast I tend to type. Another thing I've never really been able to do is touch type, though I've noticed i've gotten a little better at it over the past several months without really trying; ironic considering I look at my keyboard when typing rather than my screen.

 

[Major Tom]

I've never tried one of those keyboards, but yes, my handwriting stinks.