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!
I am. I've always struggled with classroom management and I've realised since my diagnosis that it's because of my autism. My communication skills mean that I'm easily talked out of issuing sanctions. I've been doing daily supply and 1-1 intervention work which I find so much easier. I also tended to be working all evening every evening when I was full-time and I had no down time at all.
I had a serious meltdown/burnout about 3 years ago and that was when I left a long-term job and turned to supply. I do sometimes get sensory overload during the day and I tended to avoid the staff room and eat lunch alone to give myself a chance to recharge.
I have always enjoyed working with young people and that's why I started teaching but have found that a classroom full of them overwhelms me.
Have you considered teaching adults?
I used to teach GCSE English to adults when I worked at an FE college and I enjoyed that but then I was asked to teach on the Initial Teacher Training Programme and it was a nightmare. It was one of the main contributing factors to the meltdown I had that resulted in my leaving that job. It's all so dependent on being in the right setting.
I take anti-anxiety tablets to balance me out and, generally, they do. But they're not enough when I hit full meltdown.
Teaching is a really difficult job at the best of times but it's so much harder when you have ASD. I've decided that I'm not going to work full-time anymore. The days are intense and then you're working every evening and there's no time to decompress so it builds and builds. I've got to the point where my mental wellbeing has to come first. My plan is to work in school for 3 days and to leave 2 days for 1-1 tutoring and/or daily supply
I think im in as good a setting as i can be. Managers are supportive and colleagues are extremely helpful and understanding with each other. Although ive been really struggling these past few months. More so than when i first started teaching. I csnt maintain this level of how i currently am without having some sort of breakdown. I was struggling last year too but not becausr of my job. It was stuff at home instead. I think my brain latches onto anything it can find and at the moment its work. My doctor said to consider anti depressants to balance me out.