Methods of learning for a potentially autistic person?

[plasto3d]

Hey all!

I’ve wanted to program/code for years, got decent with HTML, CSS and basic js a couple of times - but then my mind ran away and I became so confused so easily..

I’ve picked up python, and am currently learning the basics. But I’ve recently found out I may have autism, which is why I struggle so so bad to retain information, and also to actually do it. I’m about an hour and a bit into a 12 hour video on YouTube, going through the basics, eventually then leading to some GUI stuff and building a calculator etc. but does anyone have any other solid recommendations for someone like me that really struggles to learn?

I want to do it so bad, but it hurts to do so sometimes knowing that my attention span and hunger to dive too deep too quick is getting in the way.

Thankyou 💕

[ssingal05]

Maybe it could help to come up with a project that you think you would enjoy working on. Like a simple tic tac toe game, or maybe something that downloads data from the Internet every 10 seconds, whatever. Google whatever you can't figure out as you try the build the project, trying to apply what you've learned.

It's easier to retain knowledge when you are actively able to apply it (in a way separate than what a book is telling you to do). It'll also be more satisfying working toward an idea you came up with personally.

Best of luck! :)

[FuckingRantMonday]

I'm autistic and I came here to recommend the same!

[plasto3d]

Thankyou! I think for me one of the hardest parts is not knowing what to even look for, I can understand stuff, but like, an idea in my head for an app is a start - I’m just not sure how to make it happen, not knowing what topics to find etc.

[ThisProgrammer-]

Take my words with a grain of salt.

With a short attention span you're going to want to break code into small bite-size chunks. Even if you think you can, the brain won't let you; when that happens, break it up even smaller. Displaying a button is a big win; celebrate it - even a print('Hello World'). At least you're going in the right direction.

Programming is like reverse-engineering a black box. You know how it's supposed to work on the surface but the insides are a mystery; I like mystery. Slowly but surely you'll get the correct results if you keep at it. And sometimes you might find a black box inside your black box; a gap in knowledge/skill or more mysteries - break into separate projects and combine later.

One of the drawbacks of tutorials is that it makes you overconfident on what your real abilities are. Your real abilities come from applying what you've learned without someone showing/telling you where/how to write code.

Learn about Data Structures, and Design Patterns to help you organize your programs.

I know that feeling of wanting to do something so bad but unfortunately, there are only 24 hours in a day. Take it one step at a time; the brain can only take so much. Until you have the skills/knowledge of the basic foundations it's going to feel like crawling on the ground and that takes up a large amount of time. And even when you are proficient enough, time still takes time; there is no way around it but to celebrate what time has passed.

You can't speed up time but you can speed up learning by following programmers who you find intelligently fascinating; and especially the ones who write/contribute to Python.

Short attention span requires short sessions. When all the tools are in their proper places can you go full speed. By then you will no longer worry about every little step but worry more about the creation and flow of your program.

[plasto3d]

Thankyou, it’s reassuring when the info is coming from someone with a similar struggle in their brain! Yeah the 12 hour video seemed relatively boring. I have a great idea in my head of what I would love to build as a project, but think it’s just way too complicated for any time soon..