Published on 12, July, 2020
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
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
You are very welcome. What are your dedicated interests?
I completely relate to the thinking I was a bit deaf thing, and will definitely try the freezing the board.
It is a job I am doing part time while I am studying to qualify to work in a different field so hopefully these strategies can help until then as I can't keep having burnouts so often.
Thanks for the advice :)
Thank you!
Hi L
I was a teacher/lecturer for 20+ years and, like you, recently diagnosed with autism. I've been away from the classroom for over 2 years now so diagnosis was not while I was a teacher.
While sat down at my desk when students were working and if I didn't want to disturb them, I'd freeze the board for the class and get ready for the next bit of the lesson or the next lesson. I'd bought an XP graphics pen for about £40 which meant I could write on the smart board from my seat (or even just doodle/play with the smart board software features). I don't know if that helps at all.
I genuinely thought I was a bit deaf (how naive of me looking back!) as I couldn't hear learners speaking with me if there was background noise. They seemed to be patient with me when I told them I was a bit deaf. I continued using that excuse even after an ENT doctor told me my ears looked absolutely fine. My investigations then led me to suspect ADHD at first but without anything concrete I just explained it as deafness still. I do wonder if those loop earplugs might be useful in the classroom? I think I'm going to get some for being in pubs.
Although I felt trapped a lot of the time, not having any confidence to get away or not knowing what I wanted to get away to even, I did love it eventually and I do miss it. It's good to try something slightly less overwhelming though. I do wished I'd known sooner just how valuable the transferrable skills you learn while teaching are in the 'outside world' though.
All the very best to you in your job and with your diagnosis too. Take it easy.
A
Not quite the same, but when I had to present work at conferences or seminars, I found moving about was quite calming, and standing still quite the opposite. Laser pointers were useful for fiddling with as a sort of stim toy - I tried not to zap the audience!
Hello! Welcome to your autistic community! I completely understand why you find the classroom too much, I did too. The mainstream school environment is not typically suited to autistic neurology.
Your stim tools sound really cool! I use chewelry, make noises when happy and listen to the same song on repeat.
Also I am not a teacher, but maybe the book below will be helpful for you:
‘Learning from Autistic Teachers’ - it is a collection of accounts from autistic teachers about their careers, strengths and challenges in the classroom environment:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Autistic-Teachers-Neurodiversity-Inclusive-School/dp/1839971266/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2FUAC8H5VTMNP&keywords=learning+from+autistic+teachers&qid=1680373016&sprefix=autistic+tea%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-1
I hope this helps!