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Autistic teacher - recommendations for coping strategies

WREN
over 1 year ago

Hi,

I have recently been diagnosed with autism. I have always found my job as a teacher extremely hard, but always thought that everyone was finding it as hard as me. 

Now, after extensive reading, I know that how much I struggle in a class of children is because of my sensory processing - especially with noise.

I have put together a little bag of calming things to try and help - fidget spinner, stress ball, ear plugs, etc. But I was wondering what other people use?

I find the noise at times just too much, and I can't leave the classroom, so it has to be things I can sit and do at my desk and will not distract the children.

Any help would be greatly received!

Thanks,

L

Parents
  • over 1 year ago

    Hi, I am an autistic teacher too and I struggle massively with all the same things you do so I totally understand.

    I am still figuring out what helps me but heres a few things that might be useful

    Fidget toys as you mentioned, just having one in my hand while teaching helps, I find little cubes and controllers help. I have attached a link to them here

    You mention ear plugs, not sure what sort of ones you mean? The things that have changed my life are these. They lessen background noise and the general classroom hum which can be so destressing but you can still hear everyone clearly. They also make people shouting feel a bit softer and less of a sensory overload

    Taking complete breaks from people is a massive one. On my lunchbreaks I always used to hangout in the staff room but then I realised that I was going from teaching to socialising with other teachers and then straight back to teaching so my battery had no time to recharge and I had no break. Now if I need a break or feel myself getting overwhelmed I will shut myself away on my lunch break and read a magazine or watch an epizode of one of my favourite tv shows on my phone with my headphones on in the empty classroom or toilet. It might seem a bit anti social but its sometimes what I need to do to get through the day 

    Does your school know about your diagnosis? because if they do they legally have to agree to any "Reasonable adjustments" to your working conditions that you ask for 

Reply
  • over 1 year ago

    Hi, I am an autistic teacher too and I struggle massively with all the same things you do so I totally understand.

    I am still figuring out what helps me but heres a few things that might be useful

    Fidget toys as you mentioned, just having one in my hand while teaching helps, I find little cubes and controllers help. I have attached a link to them here

    You mention ear plugs, not sure what sort of ones you mean? The things that have changed my life are these. They lessen background noise and the general classroom hum which can be so destressing but you can still hear everyone clearly. They also make people shouting feel a bit softer and less of a sensory overload

    Taking complete breaks from people is a massive one. On my lunchbreaks I always used to hangout in the staff room but then I realised that I was going from teaching to socialising with other teachers and then straight back to teaching so my battery had no time to recharge and I had no break. Now if I need a break or feel myself getting overwhelmed I will shut myself away on my lunch break and read a magazine or watch an epizode of one of my favourite tv shows on my phone with my headphones on in the empty classroom or toilet. It might seem a bit anti social but its sometimes what I need to do to get through the day 

    Does your school know about your diagnosis? because if they do they legally have to agree to any "Reasonable adjustments" to your working conditions that you ask for 

Children
  • over 1 year ago in reply to Billy87

    Hi,

    Thank you so much for your reply. 

    I have started to have lunch away from the staff room and it has helped a lot.

    The links for the ear plugs and fidget toys haven't showed up on the message for some reason. If you could send them again that would be great.

    Thanks!