Beneath the Stripes:
Tourette's Syndrome from the Tiger’s View
by Darin M. Bush
Talking to My Computer about OCD
I work in two very different industries: Special Education and
Information Technology, i.e.: computers. Most people consider these arenas to
be not only different, but also disparate. I think you learn a lot about
neurological children from computers and vice versa. For years, I have joked
about similarities between computers and Obsessive- Compulsive (OCD) children. They
want what they want, when they want it. If you do not understand the error,
they are not going to explain it. And when the computer has a storm, it
crashes.
Ironically, I am talking to my computer about OCD. While
trying to find a writing tool, I began to play with Dragon Naturally Speaking.
I use a microphone headset and talk while Dragon attempts to "type"
the words. This is a very nice tool. However, as I was saying (not typing)
this, I was reminded of how similar OCD children and computers really are. You
would not believe the grief I went through to get Dragon to properly capitalize
and hyphenate "Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder".
You begin to see how this relates to OCD. When I mispronounce
a word, Dragon tries its best, but gets anxious very quickly. For instance,
when I say "ten more seconds and I'm leaving", Dragon might type
"earn more sessions by sleeving". Actually, this is from the movie
Roxanne, where the title character and our hero (Steve Martin) are yelling at
each other through a door. You get the idea.
Dragon Naturally Speaking is a great tool for TS+ people who
have trouble with writing. It can feel like OCD (it actually got that one the
first time) when I have to work so hard to convince Dragon that I am actually
not stupid. Those of you who have or work with OCD children might find this
concept familiar.
Questions? Suggestions? Speak to me through my
computer at the Tourette Tiger
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