Do you use both hands or prefer just using one hand?

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I am wondering if there are some people amongst us who prefer using just one hand when undertaking various tasks that people generally use two hands for, and if so what are your motivations for this?

My HFA/Aspergers son prefers to use only one hand on tasks where he would benefit from using both hands. If he is doing a task such as a two pieced jigsaw puzzle he will use only one hand whilst his other hand hangs at his side. If he is eating something that is in a bowl he doesn't hold the bowl with his free hand and again that hand hangs at his side. I have noticed my husband (who has many traits but doesn't have an official diagnosis) does the same thing and will use just a fork at the dinner table - I noticed him attacking a chicken leg with his fork the other day, whilst his knife remained unused and his other hand hung at his side.

Can you relate to this single-handedness? I am an Aspie but prefer to use both hands together.

Venus

I seem to find myself doing things/holding things with one hand a lot. The other hand is usually busy holding something or another.

Another interesting tidbit: I write/draw, eat w/utensil with my right hand, but I tend to use my left hand for most other activities such as opening doors.

When I had the chance to sculpt and use tools, I often switch off with my hands. When one got tired of using a saw, then I switch to the other hand and repeat when it gets tired.

I'm not sure if this qualifies as ambidextrous or not... They say if you can't draw well or write with your left than you are right handed. But I seem to use my left hand for most other activities. It should get some credit right? I don't know.

I did that and at rare times do it now still. Nowadays, I usually use both hands for the tasks you described, because my family made me.

I didn't/don't use both hands, because for me it was awkward and sometimes downright complicated to use both hands at the same time for a task that mainly requires the use of one hand. I did have prolonged trouble with using fork and knife at the same time (mixed with confused handedness later on too so I only spoons and forks until I was 12+ years old, haha).
But using both hands - I either didn't know why making uncomfortable/awkward use of my other hand to what appeared to be useless - like holding a bowl - or I was confused when both hands had to do more than just hold onto something and couldn't manage to control the complicated movements of both hands at the same time.

A lot of autistic people I know have trouble coordinating both hands at once. Not all, but a lot. I sometimes do and sometimes don't, depending on my level of motor difficulty at any moment.

Also, I almost always (beyond the involuntary movements I might experience, which are separate) use what one person described as a "frugal" set of postures and voluntary movements, moving only what's absolutely necessary to complete the movement. I was told by someone who'd lived in several countries, that this is common in countries where it is very hot and there is very little food, but not so common in rich countries in cooler climates.

I prefer one hand while typing so both hands dont lose circulation

When I worked at Winn-Dixie, a grocery store, the manager asked me if my left arm was injured while I was stocking and facing the shelves because I wasn't using it. I didn't really think about it beforehand, but I was taking my time trying to do a good job, when he made me use both hands I felt much more rushed.

I use just one hand a lot (was chastised as a child in computer class for trying to do this during typing lessons - I use two hands now). I've never really thought about it.
It isn't the one or the other hand, though; it depends on what I am doing (write with my right hand; operate a cell phone or PDA with my left, etc.).

I only use one hand when I drive. Fortunately I drive an automatic.

When I eat, I mostly use my left hand, except for things where I have to use both hands (ie using a knife), with my right hand just hanging around somewhere doing not much. Doing this also causes all of my silverware to shift to the left of my plate by the time I'm done eating, except for my knife. When I write, I only use my left hand when writing forwards, but either hand seems fine when writing backwards.

I tend to use only one hand for stuff at a time too..
I like doing my sewing, because it really incorporates both hands equally...
Sometimes it sorta seems like my hands each have seperate lives of their own.

i am clumsy i use both hands for almost everything.

I prefer to use both hands

I thought it was just me ! !

My wife goes mad at me for emptying/ filling the dishwasher with ONE hand instead of two ! !

Really don't know WHY I do it - just seems more natural .

I wonder why we do it ! !!??

normally I'll eat with my right hand , I'll also type with one hand when I feel like it.

I prefer using both hands for things such as typing...using one hand makes typing take too long.

If I were eating a salad though, or something else that is fairly easy to eat, I just use a fork and don't bother with using a knife...there for only using one hand [my right hand].

Heck, sometimes I have each hand doing an independent task.

It is ODD! I HAVE, at times, just let one arm set at my side. I eat in the typical American way. For a european, it may seem silly, etc..., but it is still TYPICAL for an American. Americans tend to cut and eat with the right, but a fork may always be in a hand(Left to cut, right to eat). Europeans tend to cut with the left, and use the fork in the right.(IIRC) Still, if I am looking for something, my hands may take on a life of their own, each taking on a different task. I usually drive, and drink with one hand, but the hand may change a lot.

BTW I type in typical hunt/peck fashion, and usually use 3-6 fingers TOTAL! I HAVE been known to "touch type" though.