Typing Practice 06/24/24

Typing is the obvious communication solution for nonverbal individuals, right? Unfortunately it isn’t always that easy.

When your brain and body don’t work in perfect harmony the way most of us are used to, typing can be a challenge.

Collin has to practice regularly, using a couple different recognized methodologies. (FC - Facilitated Communication, and Spelling to Communicate - shown in the video below.)

I’ve had experts use different examples to explain how difficult this brain-body disconnect can be by trying to do “simple” rote motor skills differently:

• You’ve probably tied your shoes the same way your entire life. Whatever your method is - right lace over left lace then around the loop, or maybe you make two loops and one bunny chases the other around the hole… Whatever your method, try tying your shoes using the opposite movements. It’s slow. It’s awkward. It’s difficult. It’ll probably take you several tries, and then your shoes will come untied anyway.

• Sit at a table with a pen and paper. Have a partner draw a shape or letter on the paper, then block your view so you can’t see your hands (using cardboard or something similar.) Now hold a mirror to the side of you, so you can see your pen/paper/hands in the mirror, and try tracing the shape on the page. It’s HARD to do.

The long-term dream is fully independent typing - anywhere, anytime, and in any situation.

Collin has shown glimpses that this might one day be possible, with really strong and determined typing from time to time.

But just like so many things in life - it’s going to take practice, practice, patience, and more practice. And so we help practice…

- Chris Butterworth