Published on 12, July, 2020
I would like to know if there are any autistic teachers here.
I would like to know...
How has autism had an impact on your teaching (in and out of the classroom ....positive and negative)
How has the job affected your autistic life? Im thinking here specifically in terms of the non-classroom elements of the job. For example how does the paperwork and planning affect you at home and your routines? How do you cope with the stresses of the job and a changing environment? How does it impact on your worklife balance as an autistic person? Do you have many meltdowns shutdowns or burnout episodes? Do you have any sensory problems at work such as information or social overload? How do you cope with these?
Why did you decide to take up the profession and did you know you were autistic before you started teaching?
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I am self-diagnosed and can relate to many aspects of autism throughout my life. Since self realisation i am able to use coping strategies Im an adult tutor and currently this is the only teaching job ive had so i cant compare with other teaching roles. I would be interested to know how much of my job is general stress and how much could be down to being potentially autistic which compounds any stress. But i also would like to know your positive stories and experience!
Yes I am.
Been teaching for over 20 years, been diagnosed for less than a year.
In answer to your questions:
Why did you decide to take up the profession and did you know you were autistic before you started teaching? It was the only job I ever wanted to do from when I was a kid. Always liked learning, always like explaining things and helping people. Didn't know then I was autistic
How has the job affected your autistic life? I'm thinking here specifically in terms of the non-classroom elements of the job. For example how does the paperwork and planning affect you at home and your routines? How do you cope with the stresses of the job and a changing environment? How does it impact on your worklife balance as an autistic person? Do you have many meltdowns shutdowns or burnout episodes? Do you have any sensory problems at work such as information or social overload? How do you cope with these?
I like routine, and I work best when I can create my own routine. At the beginning of this academic year I started doing a structured weekly "to-do" list which really helps. However I can struggle with prioritizing - for example if someone else asks me to do something I will prioritize that over my own list, and I don't really know how to say no to them... (I know I need to get better at this...errr...it's on my to-do list!)
I have quite a few sensory issues, largely around sound/light, and these manifest themselves most when around other adults. I know that a big part of these issues is probably psychological...I can function pretty well in a noisy classroom with 30 teenagers, but if I'm in a meeting with 6 adults and they all start talking over each other it really does my head in! I think it's kinda to do with professional expectations - if the meeting is important then we all need to treat it as such, ie start on time, and don't behave like 12 year olds.
I am not fully open at work about my AS, but those closest to me know. My boss has been great and is actually better than me at recognizing when I am having a meltdown, and will then find me for a chat. Most of my meltdowns lately seem to come in ranty emails sent to him which he is very good at dealing with!!....I have this alter ego called George who is the angry side of me who I blame for such emails (if you've ever read "The Chimp Paradox" (v good) ...some of us don't just have a chimp, we have a gorilla, and mine's called George.)
I read a great quote recently from a teacher who suspects they are ASD, it concerned how they manged to cope so well in the classroom. It said "we're there for a reason and I'm the one who's directing it". That fits me perfectly. Teaching is an act, most NT teachers would say that. But for me it's an act over a mask...and if I could just kinda work out how the act part of me functions so well then maybe the rest of me would function better....but I guess that's part of the mask. And I've been masking most of my life without knowing I was doing it, and that takes some getting used to.
What do you enjoy most about your job? being alexythmic I'm not sure I would use the word enjoy....I guess I like helping people; I believe in the power of education and its ability to shape the future, and I like being a part of that.
How has autism had an impact on your teaching (in and out of the classroom ....positive and negative) I think it has undoubtedly shaped me, and the positive aspects of it - eg attention to detail, deep focus, methodical approach, tenacity, acceptance of others, loyalty, thinking skills, etc have all made me the teacher I am.
Thank you for such a detailed response Bagpuss. A lot of what you say chines with me.
I too always said i wanted to be a teacher but had other jobs before this. The best part is being in the classroom which i know most teachers would agree with!
I like your idea of a weekly to do list. I might try this myself. I usually have a lot in my head and write chunks down but i wonder if a regular to do list is the way to go!
Theres something i want to say about how planning at home disrupts my home routines which i think i struggle with..even tho its down to my own time management...but i cant form my sentences correctly so will come bsvk to this another time.
I hear what you say about sensory issues. Since ive self-diagmosed i can see that i really do need to switch off a break times but its nigh on impossible as staff come to me or there are problems to sort out for the students. I think a lot of it is overload of receptive input. Also i struggle before class when im trying to get things ready and staff want to chat. I have a classroom support assistant who is fab and has learned not to make conversation when im setting up as i need to concentrate. I did notice todsy tjough thst just having her presence in the room sets me off as i still feel theres some expectation to be social. Then even thinking about and being aware of this detracts from me concentsting on the task!
I have no problem holding my own in a room of 20 students (i teach adults) but struggle sitting down for dinner with my in law family. Of course teaching is an act but thats different to masking. Im not trying to cover up snything. Im in control. I know my subject and can talk at ease. I know my role. At my in laws its an unstructured socisl situation which is completely different. I tslked about this to another support assistant who "came out" to me as autistic and she completely understands what i mean. (I know everyone acts differently depending on the situation but i feel for most people theres a general base line which they have which is essentially who they are....i feel i dont have this foundation layer). Teaching is performance, masking is getting through the everyday.
Im glad you have supportive managers. It does make a difference. Mine is understanding of my mental health. Ive never mwntioned suspecyed AS though.
Thank you for such a positive post!
out_of_step said:Since ive self-diagmosed i can see that i really do need to switch off a break times but its nigh on impossible as staff come to me or there are problems to sort out for the students. I think a lot of it is overload of receptive input. Also i struggle before class when im trying to get things ready and staff want to chat.
oh yes, that rings true for me...just when I am focussed, somebody interrupts me and then my brain is like a grasshopper flitting from one thing to another. On the other hand, I am pretty good at mutli-tasking, but when I'M the one in control of the events.
I dont even know if i can multi task or not. I just know that talking and photocopying both require cognitive thought and i cant do both at the same time!