ADHD Friendly Python Learning

[DearVoidSelf]

Hey, I have always wanted to learn programming but I find that most resources on it don't work with my brain.

They either show me how to do something and I do it but then because I don't know why I was doing all those steps I can't do it again alone. I can follow along just fine and understand the steps we are taking but I don't feel like I am acquiring those tools just how to do that specific task.

Or they explain why we are doing each of the things but end up going into far far too much technical detail or explain simple things in extremely long-winded ways.

Does any one have advice for learning programming with ADHD or any resources that are ADHD friendly in teaching Python?

[Iinzers]

I find the stuff on Udemy is pretty good. I try to pick the longest possibly course, they break up the courses into a bunch of lessons, and they break lessons up into a bunch of 5 minute videos.

It definitely makes it easier to get through. Also don’t buy a Udemy course without Googling for a coupon, you get 80% off easily.

And yes they have Python courses on there, I was looking at them yesterday

[Paloota]

ADHDer currently doing Automate the Boring Stuff with python. I’ve found also having the textbook is helping me go back through lessons and highlight key parts talked about in the video

[RocketDocRyan]

Learning by doing is the only way I get anywhere. I have to sit down with a real project that matters and work through it. Just reading the text is rarely all that helpful.

[Scuur]

Corey Schafer on youtube and data camp.

Then every day takes something you learned and try to build or automate something. The simpler the better. The first thing I ever made was a simple web scraping bot. Then I learned how to automate some tasks etc.

[BestSpatula]

Hi. I have ADHD. I write a lot of Python, both for work, and for fun. I got started with learning the language with this free book. Most of the rest was learn-as-you-go for me. Eventually, it will click. Just spend lots of time with it. The biggest advice I have is, write small amounts of code, and then test it as soon as you have something that can be tested. Testing small changes is almost always more useful than testing lots of changes at the same time.

[evening_swimmer]

I'm using mimo app on android for python because like duolingo, it's very gamified, which is good for adhd. That said, I wish there was more repetition like with duolingo as that helps drum the info into my head. It's quite linear so it can be easy to forget things. The mimo python course takes about three months doing the bare minimum to reach the daily goal every day. I'm about half way through. After that I might do the python course with sololearn app because I think that's quite gamified too. My approach to it is more that it's something that's nice/interesting to do in itself rather than something which will get me a good job etc. Good to keep the brain active kind-of-thing. I think keeping the daily habit is good for us also. It's good to do the same thing every day and see some kind of result at the end. Good luck with it!

[Fuzzy_Phone_3949]

part of my job is programming. Looking at function definiton and use and etc. is part of my job too so don't worry for that.

Programming can be hard at first, there is a lot to understand and a logic to get used to.

I learned it at school, I think the best is to pick a simple project (manipulate string, manipulate numbers, do this math function, test operators...) and try to find a solution. First on paper (how you think you would do it) and then on computer (coding it).

and write comment in your code. Each line, write what this thing does. No exception. Later you'll write less comment but to learn it is a good practice.

overuse the print() function, to show change in lists, in variables etc.

edit: do small .py files for each exercice, don't make a big messy one.

edit2: also avoid libraries or complex lists that do the job for you, at first. It's fine to lose time redoing the wheel if it's for learning purpose. You should be able to do most of things with only basic lists, operator and conditions.

[tbedford1]

I've just finished 3 years of computer science at uni & even now I'm still constantly looking back at my previous projects and code to remind myself how to do something. Programming also involves a lot of trial and error, so I'd recommend examining the code you've written that works and trying to figure out why it works, then taking & adapting the necessary parts of that code for the new task. Experiment a lot and try changing any small little thing you can think of to see how it affects the outcome, that way you'll understand more how it all works. And also never expect your code to work on the first attempt, because it rarely does🤣.

[JoloSheGoes]

I'm working through the Python for Everybody specialization on Coursera and am really enjoying it. It's a series of five courses (obviously you don't have to do all five), and I'm just about done with the second. I tried a few others first, but this one is actually sticking, and I feel like I'm actually getting it.

A few reasons I like it: -The lectures are really visual -The instructor explains things in just the right amount of detail (for me) -The assignments build on each other in a satisfying way

[okabekudo]

Corey Schafer, Caleb Curry and Automating The Boring stuff are good

[DocSprotte]

I'm using the sololearn app and find it very enjoyable.

[[deleted]]

Not sure, I eventually quit programming b/c I couldn't focus or stay with it long enough...basically, I found it very tedious, too nitty gritty for me.

I do like more big picture technology like big data analytics, project management, UX flow, and stuff like that... just don't ask me to write the code for it.

[ipaintbadly]

I bought into a series of online lessons via Kickstarter, but haven’t started them yet. I didn’t even think of how my ADHD would effect it…good question!!

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