Before I really get into this topic, I just want to state that this article reflects my own personal OPINION. I fully acknowledge that I am not an expert with Autism Spectrum Disorder and my opinion has been formulated from attending some seminars for teachers and the experience I have had with students with autism. I also understand that autism can vary a lot between individuals, like a huge amount.
My experience with teaching students with autism over the years has shown me that piano students with autism has the same chances of being successful as the neurotypical (or non autistic person). Some people have the impression that if a person has autism, then they are naturally ultra gifted and can just play the piano without even needing lessons. I realize that this does happen, but it is be rare. Of all the students that I have taught that have autism, every single one has had to put in effort to learn to play the piano. In fact, I think that having autism is neither an advantage or a detriment to learning to play the piano.
So my point is this: if you have been diagnosed as having autism or suspect that you may have autism, don’t let this stop you from learning to play the piano. You can, just like everyone else who wants to learn to play the piano, even in retirement, achieve your goal.
If you have autism or even suspect you might, I would highly recommend finding a piano teacher that either knows a little bit about autism or is willing to learn. I get that for older generations that there might be still be a stigma about autism (out of sheer ignorance), but for the younger generations, its just accepted as a different way of thinking that can impact the way they react. Fortunately, at least in my community, autism is not considered bad, just different.
In searching for the right piano teacher for you, please be open about an autism diagnoses because you will be able to quickly determine if the potential teacher is willing to learn and adapt their methods of teaching to suit what you need or they are not flexible and accommodating at all. Also, please be honest with your piano teacher, so that if there are things you struggle with along the way, your teacher can adapt and adjust things to make it easier for you.
In my many years of teaching the piano, I have had quite a number of students with autism. Sometimes I have been informed from the outset and sometimes I have had suspicions confirmed a few years after I have started teaching a student. From my perspective, if I am aware of difficulties that arise through the process of having piano lessons, then I can try and change things to accommodate. I have found that the students that are straightforward with me from the beginning achieve their goals quicker than the ones who don’t.
If you want to play the piano in retirement and have autism, then make sure you find a piano teacher that you can work with and be honest about what works and doesn’t work for you. Make sure they are willing to seek out some training and learn about autism.