Comments on: For “Have Coffee Will Write”

By: bugman

bugman — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:45:09 +0000

Oh dammit, this is what I get for not reading Amanda’s other posts. Hmm… if so many autistics are capable of non-looking one-fingered typing, you need to compile a massive collection of demonstrations.

By: bugman

bugman — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:38:14 +0000

The thinga bout FC and not looking at the keyboard is that the person is using one finger only, which is lifted completely from the keybord between each keystroke. Typing without looking requires constant re-orientation to reference keys specially marked (F and J) to remind you where you are. NO ONE, not even the best of touch-typists, can type anything legible the way many FC users claim to be able to do, using one finger and not looking at the board.

And Melinda, the whole point about the effect is that it is *unconscious*, like an ouija board; you could write a novel and never believe that it came from you.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:01:05 +0000

I use FC in my practice as a marriage & family counselor. I have fc’d with many individuals, including some who have speech, but are unable to communicate what they mean verbally. I guess I can be seen as a ‘charlatan’ who gives parents ‘false hope,’ except my focus is never on the parents, but only on the individual I am counseling with. Frankly, I think that people with autism or other cognitive disorders have the right to have psychotherapy for themselves, not for the benefit of others. I don’t do therapy with individuals because other people have problems with their ‘behaviors.’ I only see individuals who would like counseling for their own benefit. I’ve spend hours and hours using FC and believe me, I’m not so interesting or clever that I would be able to conjure up the things they tell me.
I could go on and on, but then I suppose I should start my own blog. There are many voices to hear and many ways to hear them. I’m greatful for those such as yourself, who can type independently for demonstrating your competence and also noting that sometimes you need assistance from others in order to communicate. Don’t we all.

By: Adam Stephens

Adam Stephens — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 01:21:23 +0000

I am typing in my son’s name and addresss. I came across this website. My son is autisic and I think he feels alone. He has tremendous thoughts and ideas he wants to get out…yet, I feel his frustration. He feels boxed in and he wants to be heard. I am sending his email so that he can see that there are ways to speak to the world and let the world know his ideas and thoughts. There are others out there like him.

Thank you so much!

Wendy Stephens

By: Mary Ann Harrington

Mary Ann Harrington — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 19:41:19 +0000

I am not autistic and certainly can type without looking at the keyboard as can most of you. I can even do better using a communication device where the letters are in alphabetical order. I picture the keyboard in my mind, and therefore know where the letters are. That said, I have worked with individuals with autism who invariably select the correct novel responses without ever looking at the material. It is as if they are assessing the material from outside themselves. I believe the process is very complex and all the variables need to be studied.
If you are interested in my ideas on what I believe might be occurring, google my name or check out my website.

Mary Ann Harrington

By: canadian girl

canadian girl — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 19:12:32 +0000

Hello.
I wanted to comment, and hope I do not offend. I am in awe. Now when i say this, please refrain from offense. I am in awe because I do my best to be of assistance to people labelled as Autistic. I am in awe because I now believe that some of the assistance I provide is lacking. I have always thought that those I support have way more to say than I can understand, and am always trying to understand a way to provide that outlet. So when I say I am in awe, its not at your ability, its that you have managed to find a method of communication that is understandable, and a way that those of us with a different understanding can relate to. I wish I could assist some of the individuals (children) that I support to gain a voice in this regard. I would love to learn more about how and if you were assisted in your learning, and if not, what was available to you in order to learn to type, and communicate in this manner. I am thinking of three individuals specifically, and I know that they are trying hard to communicate, but I feel as if I am speaking an alien tongue, and i sure don’t understand what they are trying to tell me. I plan to look further into your site, and some of your links in the coming days.
Thanks for sharing yourself with the world, and I liked seeing the videos you have provided. You have broadened my mind with some of what I have read from you.
Thanks, and if you could provide some insight into how you learned to type and communicate, I would appreciate it, I realise every single person on earth is different, but maybe if I provide the opportunity, I will give one of my charges a better chance at communication the rest of us can understand.

By: Axinar

Axinar — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 14:53:25 +0000

“There are people being tortured, people dying because they are considered non-persons because their kind of thought is so unusual as to not be considered thought at all. Only when the many shapes of personhood are recognized will justice and human rights be possible.”

You have no idea how much this meant to those of us who are “different” where it DOESN’T neccessarily show on the outside.

Are you familiar with this one? As more and more time goes on the more I realize it applies to ability level and lifestyle every bit as much as it applies to race and class:

“We declare our right on this earth to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary!”

By: bullet

bullet — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 12:12:43 +0000

I know you’re the one doing the typing :).
As for your wrists, could you get one of those wrist rests?

By: Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 10:25:45 +0000

*Hmmm*. With the caveat that I know ‘looking after’ can be difficult-to-impossible: look after your wrists, & if necessary use the keyboard a little less. If not for your own sake, though that’d be good, then because you’ll need them in workable condition to *keep on* doing this in the future. I don’t think the need’s going to evaporate.

By: ballastexistenz

ballastexistenz — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 08:22:43 +0000

Oh, and my wrists actually have a fair bit of tendonitis, from doing this all the time.