Hi

Hi, my name is Faith. I'm almost 26 and recently was diagnosed with Autism. I'm happy to have finally been diagnosed, it's a relief to have an explanation for my inability to communicate properly with others and my over-sensitivity to things like clothes and sounds. It's all a lot to take in but I'm hoping I'll find some support and help here as it's all a bit confusing.

All my life I have been different but I never thought that something like Autism would be behind it. Slowly but surely I'm learning to improve some aspects of my Autism, one thing I do when with people and when I'm out in public is listen to and monitor my breathing. I'm teaching myself to control and keep myself calm, that way if I start to have a panic attack then I can try and control my breathing. It's working well, I've even managed to go on a few dates and keep myself calm which is good. Two years ago I used to faint or come out over poorly when on a date. Now because of my practice of breathing I cope better when I go out and when I go to work. Next I'll try and better control my over sensitivity to touch, but I'm a long way off from that.

I enjoy music and play the violin. The sound used to really upset me, my ears just couldn't handle it. It's better now but sometimes the noise from the violin really irritates me, I play my violin and sometimes I'm wincing and gritting my teeth. But I don't want to lose my love of playing my violin so I'm determined to keep at it and not let my Autism hold me back.
I play my violin nearly every day and my profile picture is me playing a concert in our village hall last year, it was fun but very crowded on Christmas Eve and it lasted for four hours until 9 p.m., I enjoyed it but felt very anxious and after I paid the price. Shaking, feeling sick, I was sick and then I went home and slept until about 10 a.m., very often when I get anxious I sort of lose it and go in to a really poorly state. But hopefully I'll be a lot better this year at the next concert.

Hello. It's good to meet you all.

Faith. x

Parents
  • Hi Faith. 

    Welcome to the site. It is good to share your experiences and by assured you are not alone. 

    Last year, at the age of 37 I decided to learn the violin. However, the sound made me put it down.  Until I read an article about how musicians should wear earplugs. 

    So I put them in and have started learning how to play.  Currently on the open chords, the earplugs make a serious difference. 

    Enjoy the forum and welcome. 

  • Hi Former Member. I wear earplugs as well and you're right they do a great job. Another poster suggested as viola so I may look into getting one, then I can continue practicing my violin and start with the viola as well.

    With earplugs I might fair better on Christmas Eve this year at our concert.

    Thank you! I'm looking forward to meeting everybody else.

Reply
  • Hi Former Member. I wear earplugs as well and you're right they do a great job. Another poster suggested as viola so I may look into getting one, then I can continue practicing my violin and start with the viola as well.

    With earplugs I might fair better on Christmas Eve this year at our concert.

    Thank you! I'm looking forward to meeting everybody else.

Children
  • Just thought I would say Hi. Been a while since you were here last. 

    Hope all is well.

  • I will, thank you. I'd like to add a Viola to my collection of instruments. I own four guitars, a keyboard, a piano and an organ as well as Soft Note (my violin).

  • I'm going to visit my doctor hopefully tomorrow after work, if they can fit me in. It is short notice. I broke two of my toes when I was a little girl but never broken anything else. This last year I have had extremely painful hands, the pain comes on suddenly and lasts for minutes or sometimes hours. It's the same with my shoulder. Some days the pain is so bad I can't function, I have to phone in sick to work.

    I have a few other problems, unrelated to ASD. Heart problems and my immune system have their problems so it might be related to those.

  • Hi. Thank you for the three tips, I really appreciate it ^

    I have a couple of other problems as well as ASD, so I think one of them may be the cause of my bone grief. I may need to see a doctor, just to be sure. I like the idea of a shoulder rest for the violin. Thanks.

  • Hi again.  Two things that might help. Or actually three.

    1) A shoulder rest for the violin.

    2) Have you considered an electric violin.  They are lighter and you can control the volume and use the ear plugs.

    3) On certain violin forums, I haven’t joined them, but google exercises for violinists.  It talks about yoga and hand stretches.  Violin relies a lot on your core, which yoga is good for.

  • The viola isn't that much bigger than a violin.  It's not like trying to fit a double-bass on your shoulder or anything :-).  The next time you're in a music shop ask if they have some.

  • Look at Gear4music.com where I got mine. Some can cut the volume by 20db. But you might have to google its name.

  • I have never read any thing about ASD being related to Weak Bones,Perhaps you have a tendon or muscle problem specific to playing your Violin for many hours at a time. The Constant need to play your instrument to perfection may well be an ASD. As constant repetition of an action, or a sound, or a word,or phrase is definitely AS. If you have weak bones you may have suffered many broken bones so far in your lifetime. I am certain you will be aware of that. Your GP will advise you if you need specialist Medicine for that, but you should speak to your doctor about your shoulder pains, I expect there are websites for violin players and other who have the same problem. You could always try a Chello They rest on the Floor, a big thing to carry around.

  • It might not be right for me then, I can't put too much weight on my shoulder as it's very weak. By the way, is having weak bones an Autism thing or is that just me?

  • If I remember rightly, the viola is slightly bigger than the violin so it's a bit deeper.