[Django]

Hey guys,

As some of you may know, I have got autism (PDD-NOS, not Asperger's) and a learning disorder called NLD. I've been trying to get into programming for about 4 years and I still have not gotten any further than learning to declare variables in VB/Python. I'm really dedicated to learning to program but I just literally never get any further. I have read COUNTLESS books and I have done all instructions at least 4 times.

I have asked many forums and even my teachers at school but they all just give me books which I don't understand a word of. I did a course in Visual Basic and basically got 0/100 on each test. It's really demotivating since I've been trying to learn for 4(!) years now. I'm hoping to become an ethical hacker or a computer security specialist but you need some basic programming for both.

I have also tried pretty much every possible language so far and still didn't get very far. I have tried, in order: Visual Basic, Python, PHP, Ruby, LUA, C#, C++, C, JAVA. I think C++/C/C# would be the best languages for me and I do like Python.

Could anybody give me any help at all? I have tried 50-60 different books in different languages, I have tried CodeCademy, etc.

Thanks a lot guys!

[Dispersia]

This may not be what you want to hear, I'm sorry, but this may not be the field for you. Especially not computer security, that is literally just reading. But anyway, if you are really dedicated, and since I don't know exactly what autism does (I believe it's just a reading disability, yes?), get an ebook version of whatever book you want to read, and just have a text to speech read it to you. You would listen and be able to write without looking, just listening and hearing. Things such as debugging are going to be hell for you, but those are some things you can just work around. I'm sorry to hear you have that though, sucks out of everyone that could have it, it just happened to be you. Feel for you.

[+Haze]

Sorry to hear that, must be painful. Since you have a problem like that, I suggest you stop trying so many languages, stick with ONE. Pick one and stick with that and try to learn it. It all depends on what type of programming you want to go into really. I would say try C# as the syntax is pretty universal.

[MrPip]

You could be brain damaged, it doesn't matter. If coding is your goal you will achieve it. Anything is possible once you put your mind to it. It seems like you're dedicated to coding, continue learning and exploring. Also think deeper about a word. For example when it says something along the lines of "constant". Google "constant", how is it used, and why is it used. Success is failure man, keep going, and NEVER give up !

[Crake]

Well, try Head First's books... They're very unique. However, I don't know if you'll manage at this point. If you do though, I'll be happy to support you however possible.

[Django]

This may not be what you want to hear, I'm sorry, but this may not be the field for you. Especially not computer security, that is literally just reading. But anyway, if you are really dedicated, and since I don't know exactly what autism does (I believe it's just a reading disability, yes?), get an ebook version of whatever book you want to read, and just have a text to speech read it to you. You would listen and be able to write without looking, just listening and hearing. Things such as debugging are going to be hell for you, but those are some things you can just work around. I'm sorry to hear you have that though, sucks out of everyone that could have it, it just happened to be you. Feel for you.

Autism isn't a reading disorder at all. I, personally, struggle with things such as social contact, making eye contact, anxiety, making/keeping friends, weird obsessions etc. It's not like I'm the only person on the planet to have autism either, my gf has it too.

The thing is, I do know a lot about security but I just don't know anything about programming. The text to speech seems like a good idea but I just struggle with the contents of a book. I don't know what some of it means.

Thanks for the post though!

[Dispersia]

Autism isn't a reading disorder at all. I, personally, struggle with things such as social contact, making eye contact, anxiety, making/keeping friends, weird obsessions etc. It's not like I'm the only person on the planet to have autism either, my gf has it too.

The thing is, I do know a lot about security but I just don't know anything about programming. The text to speech seems like a good idea but I just struggle with the contents of a book. I don't know what some of it means.

Thanks for the post though!

Oh my apologies, I was misinformed what I thought it was. I have not known anyone with it, only heard of it, and as I've been moving from airport to airport the past few weeks couldn't really look it up to well lol. If that's the case then I guess I need to ask, where is the real problem then? Do you not understand the concepts? Can you just not grasp them? Do you have a hard time paying attention to the text? (a lot of times in books, I read the same line over and over without even noticing it, reason I read much less now than I used to). But ya, I love just going for a jog or something with an ebook playing, that is probably how I learn best, just have to find something that fits you, that's just what works really well for me

[Django]

Oh my apologies, I was misinformed what I thought it was. I have not known anyone with it, only heard of it, and as I've been moving from airport to airport the past few weeks couldn't really look it up to well lol. If that's the case then I guess I need to ask, where is the real problem then? Do you not understand the concepts? Can you just not grasp them? Do you have a hard time paying attention to the text? (a lot of times in books, I read the same line over and over without even noticing it, reason I read much less now than I used to). But ya, I love just going for a jog or something with an ebook playing, that is probably how I learn best, just have to find something that fits you, that's just what works really well for me

I find it hard to extract the information I need out of the book and when people start throwing terms at me or the book does then I get confused and don't understand a word of it.

[Dispersia]

I find it hard to extract the information I need out of the book and when people start throwing terms at me or the book does then I get confused and don't understand a word of it.

A lot of authors throw over complicated words for no reason to seem more intelligent. I have never known why they do that, but I agree the wording is very... wordy at times. If you can, try to ignore the words that you just get confused on, they usually have little to do with the concept. As long as you can get the entire concept and not every part of it, you should be good.

[kindoskinporche]

Dude keep your self to be sporty,because this can help to make your body and also your brain more fresh and active.
If you don't keep moving your blood get intoxications and it isn't good for your entire organism.
At least after sport time at morning keep a light food,relex for some 25-35minutes and try to study.
Sorry for my bad english,but it isn't my primary language.
However if not my low quality english skills i will be hep you more ;(

[Junkie™]

I have Asperger's so I know a little bit about what you are struggling with. Do you have a hard time focusing on what you are reading? Remember that reading is not always enough to actually learn something. You need to be an active reader to take in the information that you need. I suggest buying a hard copy book and highlighting terms and things of interest. Take notes as if you were in school. After you're done reading try to talk to someone about what you have learned.

I know that people with PDD's have a hard time focusing on things that are not part of their special interests. What are you most interested in? Try to understand programming in terms of whatever it is you are interested in. I don't know if that makes sense but you probably know what I am saying. I don't think that reading is your problem. I think it's more that you are not able to focus on what you are reading.

I am by no means an experienced programmer but if you ever need ideas on how to get started just send me a PM or you can IM me on Skype. Just PM me if you want my Skype.

PS. The best way to learn coding is by doing. Have you been working out the problems that the books give you? You really need to follow along with the book. Try to use the techniques that the books give you and use it to create your own programs. Don't just read and expect to understand everything. You may learn best by trial and error. You are going to run into problems when you are coding. The best way to learn from a mistake is to find out how to fix it.

[MeatBalls]

Have you tried watching some tutorial videos instead ?

I also had problems understanding everything else than declaring variables at first through reading ebooks. I mean they implement the whole thing for you and tend to keep their english simple in tutorial videos, so yeah, it was much easier for me (at least for me).

[Django]

Have you tried watching some tutorial videos instead ?

I also had problems understanding everything else than declaring variables at first through reading ebooks. I mean they implement the whole thing for you and tend to keep their english simple in tutorial videos, so yeah, it was much easier for me (at least for me).

Not really, I don't really know who explains things in English and not in terms. It's easier for me to understand a concept when it's explained. For example: Instead of saying to me declaring a variable is blablabla, saying that a doctor needs his tools first to operate. It helps me grasp the concept and understand the logic behind it if that makes sense.

[Solister]

just learn python and then when u go to learn other langurs it will be a piece of cake

[Django]

just learn python and then when u go to learn other langurs it will be a piece of cake

Ahh yes, because that is not what I've been trying to do for the past 4 years. Read the OP thoroughly before you post.