As with compliments, criticism can be a difficult concept to accept especially for a person with Asperger’s. In my case it has been an emotion I have had to grapple with recently as an experimental video I created has not created the effect I had hoped on the audience.
A few months ago I came up with the idea to take melodies from modern popular songs and play them in the style of various classical composers, beginning with “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga in the style of J.S. Bach. Lately this concept has become very popular on YouTube, resulting in a large amount of traffic towards the video. However, the main content of my comments has proven to me that maybe my idea of Bach is not the conventional one. We Aspies take a large amount of pride in everything we do and are proud especially of efforts that require creativity and emotional investment.
For a person who devotes a large amount of time and effort towards studying and emulating the behaviors of neurotypical people it can feel very isolating to know that something I feel strongly in does not translate to what is typical for NTs.To become aware again of the fact that in terms of my thought process I am not on the same page as everybody else can make me feel like a young child again and as if I have misdirected my studies.
I do recognize that it would be impossible to completely avoid criticism, especially when putting myself out in the public eye. There will always be somebody who disagrees with what I am doing and it is necessary for me to accept that criticism does not always reflect my shortcomings but the opinions of the viewer or reader.
The Artistic Spectrum 
well I think you are awesome and I’ve enjoyed following you since the day I found ya! And I know exactly what you mean about how tough it can be to receive compliments. I have a certain imagery I keep in my mind, which helps me take compliments more gracefully. I imagine each compliment is like a flower that someone is trying to give me, and it is simply my job to tie them up into a bouquet and offer them to God (the God of my understanding – which may be entirely different for you, or perhaps if someone is an agnostic or atheist they could offer it to their own abstract higher power). A mentor of mine gave me that, when I was in college, and it’s worked for me every time since. Because see, otherwise those pretty flowers would fall to the ground if you didn’t take them, or else wither and die if you held them close for too long….. It’s tough being a musician, it’s a gift, so definitely compliment worthy. I think you are going to make a great music teacher. I’m thinking you would make a really great teacher on The Musical Autist, actually. (it’s going to turn into a website). I will send you an official proposal if you’re interested. It wouldn’t require more than an hour a week and probably wouldn’t start until later this summer. There are many young musical autists that need direction and advice. Your blogging is an excellent resource.
Best,
Ms.CJ