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Any other teachers with Autism out there that can help me out?

Fantastic Salad
over 4 years ago

I am currently finishing a teacher training secondary course (PGCE Secondary Music) in 3 weeks time and I am terrified, I want to teach music and have signed myself up to a school to get me through the NQT year in a brand new area of the UK. But I would like advice on the following. How do I and how did you cope through school? are you doing ok and any advice on ways to prevent full meltdown? is there any point teachers with autism teaching long term as we think it'll make a difference? I would like to know these things, as I do not know any other teachers with autism personally without going on international forums and getting the "every teacher is on the spectrum" speech from someone who doesn't have it here... I love to teach but I feel schools won't like me and I'm making long term plans to get out of education after NQT and into something more friendly. Or not in the UK.

Many Thanks!

Parents
  • over 4 years ago

    I'm an autistic teacher too. To get me through the days, I used to put calming essential oils on my jumper as these helped to relax me.

    Like others, I started out as a regular teacher, teaching in FE. I didn't know I was autistic then but due to sensory overload I was exhausted all of the time and ended up taking a pay cut and working 30 hour weeks. At this time, I trained to be an SpLD teacher and went to work in HE where the pay and conditions were a lot better.

    Now I have a greater understanding of my own needs (I'm more of a maverick type) I have decided to go off on my own and run my own courses funded by the government grants. Despite this, I'm really glad I gained a PGCE as it's open up a lot of doors for me. I'm also more content with what I have after seeing what I could have ended up with if I was more 'mainstream' - I know a lot of miserable teachers who have stuck it out as its the safe option.

    There are lots of different types of teaching careers, therefore, I wouldn't put too much pressure on yourself in relation to making this one option work. If school teaching works out for you, great. If it doesn't meet your needs there are lots of other options that would enable you to use the skills you've learnt.

    You might find this book helpful - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07F5LBSVD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

Reply
  • over 4 years ago

    I'm an autistic teacher too. To get me through the days, I used to put calming essential oils on my jumper as these helped to relax me.

    Like others, I started out as a regular teacher, teaching in FE. I didn't know I was autistic then but due to sensory overload I was exhausted all of the time and ended up taking a pay cut and working 30 hour weeks. At this time, I trained to be an SpLD teacher and went to work in HE where the pay and conditions were a lot better.

    Now I have a greater understanding of my own needs (I'm more of a maverick type) I have decided to go off on my own and run my own courses funded by the government grants. Despite this, I'm really glad I gained a PGCE as it's open up a lot of doors for me. I'm also more content with what I have after seeing what I could have ended up with if I was more 'mainstream' - I know a lot of miserable teachers who have stuck it out as its the safe option.

    There are lots of different types of teaching careers, therefore, I wouldn't put too much pressure on yourself in relation to making this one option work. If school teaching works out for you, great. If it doesn't meet your needs there are lots of other options that would enable you to use the skills you've learnt.

    You might find this book helpful - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07F5LBSVD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

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