An interesting thread---In my experience alters are learning. Some have learned to use the computer because the keyboard is much like a typewriter and there was always a typewriter available to "play" with since we were very little. Vicki can drive because my father worked for a car dealership and there was always a "non-working" car that we "played" with so applying those things to present were not difficult for them.
Naomi always SI in some way and C has been working with her on other ways to handle her anger and she is learning other ways.
They function in the present using skills they aquired before but can adapt them to now. When taking notes at a class, Prism doesn't write the same thing over and over, she takes notes on the subject and learns that subject.
This is my experience.
w_i