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I need advice please

NAS82286

Hello-

I have just been diagnosed about a month ago. 

I am a teacher and have been for 22 years, and I now work in SEND a job which I love.

I have not been to whole school assembly for over 8 years, as it makes me so anxious, and I understand now I have sensory overwhelm, and so instead I stay with the pupils who are in a similar position to myself, as it is a reasonable adjustment for them not to attend. 

I have recently been told I HAVE to go to assembly by the Deputy Head. This has caused me so much worry and anxiety that I have not been sleeping well and I am feeling very anxious. 

HR will not help me, and I don't know what to do. If I have a diagnosis- can he force me to go?

I have been in contact with me union as well, but I wanted to ask advice too. 

Thank you,

Rachel 

Parents

  • As you have a diagnosis your employer should be making reasonable adjustments for you. It’s kind of shocking that as a teacher he isn’t more understanding about Autism! He needs educating! Joy
    Your union can obviously give you the proper advice on your rights in the workplace - but in an ideal world you should be able to have an informal conversation with the Deputy Head and resolve this in a more friendly way. Why can’t he accommodate you in this way? It would be very interesting to know his reasons. It strikes me you are doing something very valuable in supporting the pupils who aren’t in the assembly. Schools should highly value autistic staff as they have such great insight into autistic pupils and pupils with other SEN - so  you are an asset and he should recognise that and be supportive. If he doesn’t support autistic staff well then how on Earth does he treat autistic pupils?! 
    I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this - good luck. 

Reply

  • As you have a diagnosis your employer should be making reasonable adjustments for you. It’s kind of shocking that as a teacher he isn’t more understanding about Autism! He needs educating! Joy
    Your union can obviously give you the proper advice on your rights in the workplace - but in an ideal world you should be able to have an informal conversation with the Deputy Head and resolve this in a more friendly way. Why can’t he accommodate you in this way? It would be very interesting to know his reasons. It strikes me you are doing something very valuable in supporting the pupils who aren’t in the assembly. Schools should highly value autistic staff as they have such great insight into autistic pupils and pupils with other SEN - so  you are an asset and he should recognise that and be supportive. If he doesn’t support autistic staff well then how on Earth does he treat autistic pupils?! 
    I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this - good luck. 

Children
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