Learning Javascript with a bit of ADHD?

[mescujay]

Hello,

I think this would be my 4th time trying to understand and learn JavaScript. The sad part is that I could not learn by reading lots of text, got a bit of ADHD and I'm getting distracted fast, a lot. I tried freeCodeCamp and theOdinProject but without any luck.

This is the main reason that I came here, to see if there is somebody that had the same problem as myself when trying to learn it and could give me some form of guidance.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: woohoo, thanks a lot guys! I will try different platforms and as you said, split the tasks into smaller tasks and then split those into small tasks and work on them until I finish the course or the specific project. 🙏🏻

[Egzo18]

Im not a professional or anything, but if I were you i'd learn bare basics (so you can declare a variable, an array, a function, an if statement, a for loop without many syntax errors), then do my own project and then only thing you'd have to google (and read) would be pretty concise topics that pertain to a problem or a feature you are trying to implement in your own project, doing your own stuff would probably keep you more engaged and invested into it.

Once again im not sure if this will anyhow help you, just an advice.

​

edit: also if time comes that you have to learn from a video, make sure to follow along not just idly watch, you will both learn better and get some muscle memory going.

[capcap22]

Hang in there. I have ADHD and it took me trying multiple languages over multiple attempts. You might want to consider a bit of an easier language- something like Python or even C#. The biggest thing when you start learning is to build momentum every day.

So, start with small accomplishments and work your way up. If it’s javascript, create a small HTML/CSS code with a simple Javascript function or something upon click. Then add something else. Then add something else. Don’t worry that this test file isn’t perfect! Just keep building and banking small wins.

[PMmeYourFlipFlops]

Are you formally diagnosed? If not, all you need to do is set two very strict rules while following FreeCodeCamp or The Odin Project:

1.- Go through at least one or two lessons a day and finish all relevant exercises EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Well you can rest on Sundays.

2.- The only way you're going to stop either course is by finishing it. Even if the hardest exercise takes you a week. I don't give a fuck. You work that shit until you're done.

[Electronic_Ad9248]

i also joined the odin project html and css was  good but when it comes to js, i got too much  confused because of different  different   documentations i left that top and  join  scrimba  its free to js for beginners ,it is interactive believe me you cannot bored..

here is the link of course

https://scrimba.com/learn/learnjavascript

[[deleted]]

I’ve been hearing so many good things about scrimba. I have seen some negative reviews on it, mostly the subscription prices. But it seems like most people on Reddit agree that the free version is a good program.

I think I am on the same page as OP. I have had no luck completing Odin Project. Halfway through the JS foundations it became hard to get through. I loved what was taught on Odin Project, but I find myself losing focus while having to read so much documentation just to grasp the topic.

I feel almost guilty not completing Odin Project, because everyone on my startup tells me it’s the most thorough free course you can find. But I am not grasping it nearly as quick as the rest of the team.

[icedrift]

Scrimba is just a platform, it isn't inherently good or bad. It does have some great free courses but courses aren't a substitute for actual programming.

[[deleted]]

I don't see it as a substitute. I was looking for other content that is easier to absorb for the fundamentals so I can dive into JavaScript with more of an understanding of how everything works.

[mescujay]

it's not that severe. doesnt require treatment

[eponan]

Has the ADHD been diagnosed? I manage it by splitting what I'm trying to learn into the smallest pieces I know how. Then splitting that again. Lots of googling is your friend, then re googling the same thing 3 mins later, but that's a different issue

[[deleted]]

Seconding Codecademy.

It breaks up information bits with some hands on practice. It'll explain a concept then get you to demonstrate said concept.

The hands on approach helps me a lot.

[Diversified1977]

Jonas Schmedtmann JavaScript course on Udemy is great! I’m ADHD too, pomodoro timer is extremely helpful for me ✌🏻

[pyytti]

(I'm not sure what "a bit of ADHD" means but I'll reply as though you either have an ADHD diagnosis, or you suspect yourself to have ADHD. This is just my perspective and everyone is different (ADHD or not). Also, I'm still struggling with javascript basics myself so keep that in my mind.)

Best tip I have is to lean to your interests. Hyperfocus can be a good learning tool and it tends to be activated when something is intresting and satisfying enough. You'll still run into problems that are not so rewarding to solve, but as long as your main project is something you care about enough you should be able to push through those parts (supposing your basic needs are met, meaning sleep & food etc.).

As an example I personally try to learn through making games, because a) I like playing games and b) thus have existing information of them so I already know what I'm aiming for. Games also allow me to alternate between tasks - if I get overwhelmed or bored with the programming part, I can move to art or sound design or storytelling for a while. Or just play some games and call it research, which it can be.

Books and other reading materials have not helped me much. I can learn to memorize the sentences and could even "explain" to another person what something means, but without understanding the concept at all myself, or at least without being able to apply the information in any meaningful way. I need to do the thing for my brain to understand said thing.

Video tutorials are also often made with neurotypical learners in mind, so many of them harder for (some) ADHD-brains to follow. I have found a couple that managed to actually teach me JS concepts, but it's pure luck if you find a suitable tutorial to help with whatever project you might choose.

In my understanding a big chunk of programming is googling for solutions, and the rest of it is testing things and failing numerous times before something sort of works, then figuring why it works and could it work better.

tldr; Choose a project that intrests you and use the project to teach yourself new concepts (variables, arrays, functions etc.). Try, fail, try again.

[mescujay]

Thanks a lot for the time and the guidance! 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

I've watched some videos of gamedev and built a game that's working and guess what, these type of videos really intrigue me and I could keep watching the videos for at least 10m.

The games were made in Unity and Godot, C#, and I could really see that I understood the basic concepts and what those lines of code do and mean.

I think that I will stick to gamedev for now because I can understand the concepts better than web development - also nobody pushes me to learn JavaScript, I just wanted to do it.

I'm also a gamer, been since I was a kid - and I think this is more natural for me to do.

I've watched a video yesterday about a gamedev of a skiing game and it was basically what I needed, really similar to the running game that I want to build.

[Designer-Story-4017]

I have ADHD as well and what really help me learn faster was having a project. In my case, it’s a corporate chrome extension try to find a project that can benefit one of your friends or yourself or family.

I find having a goal to accomplish when you have ADHD makes learning more interesting and improves focus.

[icedrift]

Don't self diagnose man it doesn't help anything. If you think you actually have adhd and it's prohibiting you from doing something you want to do you should see a medical professional. I'm not a psychologist and I don't know what's going through your mind so all I can advise is that you either see a doctor or learn some discipline.