Recognition.....?

Post Reply New Topic

Now it´s my turn to ask, if this is autism.
Allways, allways have I had trouble knowing where to put my fingers on a keyboard, if it looks slightly different. I can work on a piano-piece for four months on one piano and be completely in the woods, if I have to play on another piano. The keys may be slightly narrower, yellower or something. I don´t recognize anything.
Of course I get nervous, so I thought, it was "nerves", - but....the same happens with computer keyboards - especially labtops.
If the keys look a little different, if the keyboard slants more or one sign is placed differently, - I can hardly recognize the keys. I don´t remember the movements, positions or combinations.
Pianowise it has got me in trouble lots of times and computerwise it has made me look ridiculos before friends and bosses.

Anyone else?

This isn't an autism issue, it's a muscle memory issue. Not even an issue really. Everyone who constantly uses the exact same device whether it's a keyboard, piano, mouse, etc will have problems when using a different one of the same device. It happens even if (though a little less) the device is exactly the same just newer/older.

I´ve actually failed before an audience because of it. It IS an issue, when it´s that bothersome. Getting panicky doesn´t help.... I know.
It´s not muscle memory....it´s the different sight! The muscle memory is there.

Nor does it help to write a rash response, especially after asking for help.

I didn't say muscle memory wasn't there, I said it was, BECAUSE of muscle memory you have problems when using a different device. If the keys are different (for example) than you are use to (ie thinner) your muscle memory will go for larger/thicker keys even if you know they are thinner. Not that you don't know there is a difference or don't know what you are doing. (Try this, ask someone to move the trash can or silverware and see how many times you go for the old spot when throwing something away or grabbing a spoon. That is muscle memory at work. It's the same when someone plays an instrument for a long time.)

Add to that stage fright and yes you are going to have problems hitting the right keys.

I believe you that's it's an issue for you, you're embarrassed so it's probably magnified out of proportion to the reality that you aren't the first nor last to have that problem (messing up at recital) and that it isn't unique to ASD, but to being human in general.

Have a good night and I wish you the best in overcoming your issue.

I have a lot of trouble using computer keyboards that are not my computer keyboard.
Each keyboard has different feel, even if they are same model.
Same with iPad and iPhone, other people's feel different, even if they are same model.
I imagine it would be worse for musical instruments.
Combined with having to perform at recitals, I imagine that I would be likely to mess up.
I wonder if there is a way for you to get access to the recital instrument ahead of time, perhaps practicing just a little bit on that specific instrument would help.
If not, then perhaps getting access to a variety of different instruments and practicing the same music on those would help not get locked too much into one super familiar instrument.
The same happens with unfamiliar sports equipment like bikes and rollerblades and ice skates, there is always some period of adjustment that would be a problem if one had to perform using unfamiliar equipment, it seems that athletes choose not to compete using unfamiliar equipment if they can help it.

While unlikely, it is also possible to have neurological issues as a result of having MS or diabetes that results in numbness or a loss of sensation in the hands.

I just joined the forum to hopefully get information regarding my fiances withdrawal issues. She is a loving and caring person, she just chooses to withdraw from the world. She takes NO interest in anything that is not "interesting or exciting" to her.

Naturally the first topic I went to is "Recognition..." and after reading this post I would like to throw in my 2 cents.

Although I have MANY OCD issues, my doctor refuses to diagnose me as OCD because my issues do not prevent me from leading a "normal" life. I fail to see how the severity of my condition should affect the diagnosis but .... I can not help but see the similarities mentioned in this post to my own symptoms.

I do not have to close a door 15 times to finally convince myself it is closed. I do not run back to a room 10 times to turn the light off "again". However if the trash can is moved ... it affects me. If there is something new in a room it takes me a long time to adjust, and my attention keeps getting drawn to it. I am a truck driver not a musician, but even still I am good at what I do. I get "over" familiar with ONE truck, then get behind the wheel of another and its like I have never driven before. Even if its the same brand and same motor/transmission, the gear shift "feels" different. The throttle feels different. The motor or tires sound different. I am SO attuned to my surroundings and items I interact with that any small variation is a major issue with me.

Im sorry I just had to reply because I can relate so well to what you are saying. Maybe someone will respond and tell me I have a form of ASD. I not only have trouble adjusting to a new keyboard on my PC, but my keyboard MUST be in the exact position or I cant use it! I dont feel its a muscular response issue. Its just that everything around me has to be in its place. My drink goes in the same spot. My mouse, my keyboard, my cigarettes, my ashtray, everything has to be exactly where it ALWAYS is or I have an issue.

Might be problem of visual processing dysfunction, but I am not sure if it is visual prosessing dysfunction.
I have this to a level that when the floor I am walking on is changing, like going from home on the street from street to someother place, I need to get used to the patterns of the floor I am walking on.
It is a big impairment to me as I loose any direction and when I have to go somewhere like to a store or anywhere the abrupt change of pattern causes great disorientation.
I often avoid going out of my place because of this.

Difficulty with change as well as motor coordination have been noted as common in autism.

Thanks for the answer, Kicker, but I wasn´t being rash.
Now, I come to think of it...I never had the same problem on the guitar, no matter how nervous.....probably because I never had to look down for position. Just a thought.

I don't exactly remember -- but I've read something about autism and learning in an overly-specific manner. That is, that if a person is given a learned task in a different environment than they learned it they're not able to access the skill and need to learn it all over again. I think the term is "lack of ability to generalize leaning or skills" or something.

I think it kind of makes sense if you have sensory hyperacuasis, which is basically not being able to filter the external environment out whenever you're doing anything, so that whenever you are doing that thing it's connected to the environment that you were in. When I was a kid, especially, I'd get very absorbed into the atmosphere of a place (though I don't have massive trouble generalizing skills).

--

On on another note, a few years ago I found out that some laptop/netbook keyboards are only 90% the size of a real keyboard. It explained why I'm almost completely unable to type on my netbook. The only way I can type on it is if I think about pressing each letter; whenever I speed up I start hitting 2 keys at once. I hate that keyboard.

I have about 30 years of muscle memory for a normal keyboard and I don't think that's going to change easily.

I am the same way with vehicles. I think we get so in tune with the real equipment we are operating that it's almost like extra attached body parts. It must have to do with heightened sensory inputs.
I can tell you that I can perceive extremely small changes to any vehicle that I have operated for a while.

If you have developed a performance anxiety or stage fright, prescription beta blockers may help.

http://www.anxieties.com/159/beta-blockers#.VKGieXAMEAA