FAQautism

Many people with autism can learn to type and write by hand fluently with no problem. But, for a variety of reasons, some individuals with autism really struggle with handwriting. What are the advantages of learning to write with a pencil and paper? Do those advantages outweigh the skill of typing?

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Which skill is more useful in daily life – handwriting or typing? Some individuals with autism will only be able to learn one or the other, so which will serve them better in the long run?

I vote for teaching a person with limited motor skills or limited cognitive skills to learn to type and to use a computer mouse. Keep in mind that I am not an expert in this area, but I learned much from my mom, an occupational therapist with extensive experience in helping people learn lifetime skills to use in their daily lives. I’ve also had the privilege of knowing some of my friends with autism for several decades, visiting with them every week as they grew from toddlers to adults. Observing dozens of individuals over the long term helped me learn the value of focusing on functional life skills early in the lives of individuals with limitations. So it is from that frame of reference that I vote for typing should a person with autism only be able to learn one of the two skills.

Many of my friends with autism who are very bright and communicative find writing by hand awkward and slow, so they struggle to complete school assignments or to communicate in writing. It is often difficult to read their handwriting, so only their families, close friends, and long-time teachers can translate written messages. Most do not learn to type until middle school. At that point, a whole new world is opened to them, allowing them to complete assignments more readily and to communicate more broadly.

TIP FOR THE DAY: At the risk of stepping over my professional bounds, I encourage parents, teachers, and therapists to at least consider teaching youngsters with autism to communicate via computer at an early age. If a person is able, they can learn handwriting also. But, if not, learning to type and using a computer for written communication will allow them to keep pace with their peers in school and in life.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

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