Word Processors and NLD

I have to share an example of successful word processing/keyboarding training.
I have worked with a delightful 4th grade student who is diagnosed with Asberger’s Syndrome, since the fall. The school system has assigned him an aide because of his significant written language disability including copying from the board. His written work is laborious, at times illegible and very frustrating for him.
He learned how to touch type using Diane Hanbury-King’s method and he incorporates many shortcut keys when he is typing using Microsoft Word so he is much quicker getting his ideas on paper. He is incredibly creative but you would never know it looking at his written work.
Well, yesterday, I timed him with a sentence prompt. The directions were to write a good sentence using either “cry” or “laugh.” His sentence took him two minutes - “When my great-grandfater (sic) died I cried.”
Then I asked him to type a good sentence using either happy or sad. This time he typed, “My mother was really happy when she got a new diamond that is as shiny as a zircon that shimmers in daylight.” (he told me that this isn’t true!)
His creative and use of figurative language were absent when he was asked to handwrite a sentence.
I see examples like this often when students are trained to touch-type and word process their work. The qualitative improvements are impressive. And this student views himself so differently from last year when he tought he was “stupid.” He is now a risk-taker when he completes written work, uses higher level vocabulary, etc. The transformation is wonderful.
I would encourage everyone to help students realize their potential using readily available technology tools that are pervasive. These are 21st century teaching methods for 21st century students.