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Autistic teachers- can you advise please?

NAS70583

Hi, it’s my first time posting here, and if possible I’d appreciate some advice. I’m a secondary school teacher in the UK and have worked in the same inner city school for 22 years. I’m being assessed for ASC in two weeks. Over the years, I’ve been by and large successful after developing my own coping strategies, double and treble checking every lesson before delivery. I get along with everyone  although I prefer to work alone in terms of planning and have my own work space and space to eat lunch.

My school are supportive, and after really struggling with change (and continued anxiety due to chance) during lockdown, agreed to my request for morning meetings with my coach (everyone has a work coach). School have made many reasonable adjustments to support me and have agreed to support the assessment process. (It’s being funded via BUPA who my employer pay for). I decided to go down the formal assessment route after colleagues asked if I was autistic, and why I struggled the way I do. I need to have those answers for definite for my own peace of mind. 

My coach has written a letter to the assessment team detailing the difficulties I have, and has been a fantastic support since I asked for help. Nothing has been too much trouble if I’ve  asked. I have stated that although I wish to share my diagnosis with the Head and my coach in order to ensure support continues, I don’t wish to share with other staff members. They accept me and my differences anyway so I don’t feel the need to share a diagnosis. My coach has assured me it won’t impact on anything negatively work wise and they will continue to support me in the same way. Currently, I meet my coach each morning, run through the day/ any changes, have a quiet working and lunch space, ask for time out if needed, have exemption from busy whole staff meetings etc, can text/ ring my coach at any time (including on her day off).....they have worked with what I have needed. In return they have a dedicated employee who would do anything for them. 

Are there any teachers who have found having a formal diagnosis has been a positive step?

How has it helped you?

what other adjustments have you found beneficial?

Have you shared your diagnosis with a select few/ more widely at work? 

If you could give me one/ two pieces of advice what would they be? 

Thanks for reading his far! 

Parents

  • Hi - I am a teacher who got diagnosed in 2018 mostly out of curiosity and for peace of mind and because my wife thought it was a good idea as she says I am angry. Never really feel angry and hve mosty had an amazing time - I am 47 now. Successful in my own way. Always done my own thing and followed my ownd desires - on my own without a care. Now I am diagnosed - all my confidence has been flushed down the toilet and can honestly say that I now regret the whole sroory saga. I f I could go back to 2018 I would never get a diagnosis if I knew what was about to happen. Total and utter collapse of oneself and sense of well being - its like being a five year old again in a world full of aliens. 

    I used to do solo expeditions to far flung destinations where nobody ever treads without a care in the world - now I am scared to leave the house. I used to taech in my own private school - but now - I feel as if I can no longer relate to my students in any way at all and will liely never teach again as I realise the person I think I present to them is nit the person they see - I have no control over how I apear. Always did before - but now I feel like my soul is just a sorry shadow of my old self. 

    I have nursed both my mum and dad to thier deaths in the last 15 years and it was easier to cope with then a diagnosis. 

    So Please don't rush into it unless youre ready for your entire reality to be turned upside down and inside out with a single bit of support in any way at all. 

    Probs the only regret of my life is getting turned from an adventurous fun sould into a disabled useless thing that is no longer functioning. 

  • in reply to .......

    Thanks for sharing your experience. What changed to make you feel so negative about yourself and your achievements? Although I have anxiety- mostly caused by the working ing environment- I recognise my talents and so do my employer. They have said it won’t change me- it’s just a gaining of knowledge and that’s the way I’ve viewed it- just the answer to what is already known in both my and my employer’s case. 

    I am fairly well aware of how I present to staff and students, although in the supporting letter were some things I wasn’t aware that I do.... My coach was concerned they were negative aspects and was hesitant to share in case it upset me. I simply said they were factual statements and that having that know was a good thing. 

    Although some aspects make life difficult, I have a different slant from you- rather than concentrating on the “disability”  side, I see it as giving me different insights into things at times. My way of thinking isn’t less/ deficit, just different. 

    Thanks for sharing your experience...I suppose part of me is worried about the things you describe and that’s why I asked. 

  • in reply to .......

    Thanks- I appreciate everyone’s replies. It a shame that, after  building a successful career, the diagnosis didn’t allow you to continue to build on all you had achieved. What do you mean by I will have “gaslighted myself my whole life?” Do you mean as in I’ll have thought I was neurotypcial all my life to now discover I’m neurodiverse? I’m happy with being either, and am prepared for a diagnosis or no diagnosis. It’s taken me years to Rach this point and I’m as  I can be to know the answers. 

  • in reply to NAS70583

    Ultimatley its your choice - I am just explaining what it is like. The biggest thing to get your head around will be the fact that if you are autistic - you'll have gas lighted yourslef for your entire life. 

    Just do it... Only you will feel how you feel whatever happens. 

Reply Children
  • in reply to .......

    Thanks- I appreciate everyone’s replies. It a shame that, after  building a successful career, the diagnosis didn’t allow you to continue to build on all you had achieved. What do you mean by I will have “gaslighted myself my whole life?” Do you mean as in I’ll have thought I was neurotypcial all my life to now discover I’m neurodiverse? I’m happy with being either, and am prepared for a diagnosis or no diagnosis. It’s taken me years to Rach this point and I’m as  I can be to know the answers.