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Trouble typing on computer

Hi, my son is 7 and has bmd and is having trouble in school using the computer. He really avoids it if he can. The problem is they take a lot of tests (reading mostly) on the computer. After taking a "paper" reading evaluation test we learned that his problem is not in reading (he has been scoring very low on the evaluations but scored extremely high on the "paper" test) but with the computer. My son is easily frustrated and afraid of failure (so if he thinks he is not good at something it is hard to get him to take a risk and try). He has never enjoyed playing video games or computer games. His teacher says he has a little trouble typing. So now we are trying to figure out is it a "mental" block with the computer, is he just being stubborn, or could he be having some physical issues with typing. I was wondering if anyone else has trouble typing on the computer. Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Karen on February 2, 2010 at 9:27pm

Hi

My son is 17 and does OK on the computer, but he did not take to it like his classmates. Our school didn't start teaching keyboarding until 3rd grade. He regularly avoided the computer and preferred taking notes with pen and paper. Erik had to work hard in his HS tech class even though he gets A's in AP history. He has a lap top but uses it only when he has to. He doesn't show a lot of dexterity in his keyboarding and it is faster to use a pen. He is all about fast. Are the computer tests short answer or multiple choice? He may feel like he has greater control with a pencil since he can correct a mistake. Is he able to go backwards on the computer and change an answer? Is it gone forever? You might have him tested for hand-eye coordination. I am rambling. My apologies. I just hate to have a first grader get docked for not being able to use the medium to show what he knows. I don't know of any specific studies that show dmd kids have trouble with keyboarding. You might e-mail Veronica Hinton who does research on dmd boys and cognition. vjh9@columbia.edu Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Anderson on February 3, 2010 at 10:27am

Thank you. I will check into his hand eye cordination. I think he just feels more comfortable with pen and paper. He doesn't like "new and unknown." I think pen and paper are safe for him. I am also going to talk the the ot at his school. thank you for your reply

Karen said:

Hi

My son is 17 and does OK on the computer, but he did not take to it like his classmates. Our school didn't start teaching keyboarding until 3rd grade. He regularly avoided the computer and preferred taking notes with pen and paper. Erik had to work hard in his HS tech class even though he gets A's in AP history. He has a lap top but uses it only when he has to. He doesn't show a lot of dexterity in his keyboarding and it is faster to use a pen. He is all about fast. Are the computer tests short answer or multiple choice? He may feel like he has greater control with a pencil since he can correct a mistake. Is he able to go backwards on the computer and change an answer? Is it gone forever? You might have him tested for hand-eye coordination. I am rambling. My apologies. I just hate to have a first grader get docked for not being able to use the medium to show what he knows. I don't know of any specific studies that show dmd kids have trouble with keyboarding. You might e-mail Veronica Hinton who does research on dmd boys and cognition. vjh9@columbia.edu Good luck.