So i have autism and im 20 but yet im not sure where to go in life and parents dont really know what to do with me. Im bored and depressed way too much, i feel like i need a outlet or a way to express my possible ideas but im unsure how. Im considering gamedev or working my way up to make games but are there any other things to do alongside? what do you enjoy doing?
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3D Printing and Modeling
Meshtastic
Learning to fix things (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, automotive, etc)
These are my latest or ongoing hyperfixations.
- role playing games, if you can cope with other people
- making models
- skating
- exploring the outdoors; hiking, walking the dog, updating OpenStreetMaps
I like baking.
Tabletop miniature painting and games!
If you like games and game dev, you are probably better off getting a job doing regular boring non-game programming for some boring company, working 9-5, and then making games as a hobby. Then you can make the game you want at the pace you want with the people you want.
Any kind of art or crafts, although if you have sensory issues, you may not like some of the messier media, eg. like any sort of paints, or chalk or charcoal.
I for the longest time as a kid had issues with getting anything goopy on me, for example, although I have since learned to manage that and now any water-based paints are really fun for me to play with and are one of my fave art media, my other faves being crayons, chalk, and oil pastels, but sensory issues with certain materials are something to be aware of, whether they’re managed or not.
Some people may have sensory issues with fumes from solvents used with oil paints as well, for example.
What are you good at and what do you like doing? If you have a mind for logic and systems then programming is an endless source of puzzles to solve. If you like working with your hands, metalwork or woodwork. If you appreciate beauty, arts and crafts. If you are very physical, sports. If you don’t know, try them all.
What’s worked for me is taking things I enjoy as a consumer (computers, music, movies, etc) and trying to learn how to make those things for myself or at least learn more about how they’re made. It gives you amazing amounts of insight into what it takes to get those results and why you might specifically like them.
For computers, learning programming at the low level like a Commodore 64 or similar will help wrap your mind around how modern computers do things.
For music, learning even the basics of making your own will help you pick up on things in your favorite songs that you never noticed before.
For movies, diving into behind-the-scenes material and watching some plot theory channels like Every Frame A Painting or Lessons from the Screenplay will help you catch more intricate and subtle plot elements like foreshadowing that you might not have caught onto.
I started (and partially gave up) music, drawing, woodworking. I stuck to computers, and I am working as a devops engineer. I also read, as much as I can. I guess what I’m trying to say is try things out. You’re young. You’ll find your passion eventually :)
Im a bad example, as im also not autistic.
Coding is good if you enjoy puzzles. Drawing is good if you enjoy practice. Music production is good if you enjoy music and music theory.
All 3 of these help in game dev, but can also be used for other things.
I’ve fallen in love with diamond painting. Doesn’t matter the subject matter, it’s something to do while listen/watching YouTube.
Back in the 90s I was trying cross-stitching, but it took too much concentration for not that much result, but diamond painting is easier to pick up and put down for a while.
Reading, or creative writing yourself! Literally only takes a pen and paper :)
I work on cars
