Autism and Adulthood

Hi Eleanor. I'm in my mid-twenties, awaiting diagnosis, and I definitely find adult life quite challenging! I love music too. What instruments do you play? There are lots of career paths you could take; I'm sure the right job will come along soon. Teaching assistant/supply teaching roles sound like a good start - lots of schools are desperate for musicians to run their choirs, teach instruments and help with their school productions!

Hi. Thanks for the positivity. The instruments I play are clarinet, piano and voice. But to be perfectly honest, I'm sort of out of practise. Clarinet and piano especially. But right now I'm trying work up a regular routine for myself as well as trying to find paid work. I suppose I just need to make the most of my time, as well as get out of procrastination. Trust me, I've encountered and done too many times in the past. 

I play piano and sing too (although I'm definitely out of practice with piano!). Singing is a real bonus, and your ability to read music would be an asset to schools (plus you may find you're the only one who plays clarinet and piano, so it'd still be an advantage... and if you were teaching them to young children, you'd probably only need to show them the basics). Building up a routine sounds like a good start. I'm absolutely terrible for procrastination, so let me know if you find any good strategies 

I play piano and sing too (although I'm definitely out of practice with piano!). Singing is a real bonus, and your ability to read music would be an asset to schools (plus you may find you're the only one who plays clarinet and piano, so it'd still be an advantage... and if you were teaching them to young children, you'd probably only need to show them the basics). Building up a routine sounds like a good start. I'm absolutely terrible for procrastination, so let me know if you find any good strategies 

No problem I always find it so hard to stick to schedules (it's odd since I love routines so much). It could be a mixture of the Asperger's/fears/insecurities. Try not to overthink it - just play what you enjoy and don't be hard on yourself if it goes wrong. I often feel like I let my autism get in the way of things I love (I want to be an author, but I stopped writing my novel, partly because I dreaded finding out that I wasn't any good after all). We shouldn't let it stop us though - our autism can also be part of why we're good at these things, and why we care so much.

I don't know if it helps, but I've been trying the 5 minute rule to stop myself procrastinating lately. You commit yourself to doing a task for 5 minutes, with the promise that you'll give yourself a break afterwards. You often get so wrapped up in what you're doing that you carry on for 15-20 minutes without realising. Maybe you could try that for your practice? 

I'll do you a deal - you carry on with your music practice and I'll start writing again xx

Hi. Sorry, it's been a while, I know. I'm still job hunting right now, so I'm trying to fill my time with TRYING, to practise my music. The thing I know now what to do in a practise routine for all the instruments I play. The problem, however, to actually STICKING to them. Worse still, I don't know what's affecting it, my Asperger's itself or my fears or insecurities that i'm not good enough it. Does anyone else feel like this? That your autism can get in the way of one of your greatest love and passion life? If so, does anyone have any advice for this? Thanks. xx