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Teaching, Aspergers and capability proceedings

RidleyRumpus

Hi,

After a degree in Physics, a career in SW I started a new career teaching Physics in secondary school 14 years ago.

I have struggled for some time with complaints from parents and students for reasons that I struggle to fathom as the students results have at least been in line with other teachers (who receive few if any complaints)

I have suffered from anxiety and depression for some years.

I have often put my problems down to a complete inability to remember student (and even teachers names), even after I have taught them for years. I have raised this as an issue and I have been advised to use the old chestnuts which just do not work for me. I have found that I seem to annoy colleagues with apparent rudeness/abruptness which has gone against me. I was not happy that my head of department accused me of having Aspergers in from of my department in a meeting when I asked her to clarify something. In retrospect she may have been on to something even if her communication skills were flawed.

My ex wife also thought I was on the spectrum but I had put that down to her not being very nice....

However the school have now moved to put me through capability (essentialy a dismissal) on pretty flimsy evidence. This sent my anxiety through the roof and I have been signed off for some time. I applied for help with my local IAPT service and the worker there also suggested Aspergers as a contributor. 

After some pondering/research which showed me that the traits fitted my to a tee. I took the plunge and was tested and was diagnosed as having Aspergers.

Now should I tell the school?

If so then what difficulties do you think I could face in the classroom as an Aspie and what should/could I ask for as reasonable adjustments?

Parents

  • Robert124 said:

    In your original post you mention that your head of department accused you of having aspergers.  And you now have been diagnosed with aspergers.

    The situation sounds like constructive dismissal and you should be protected by disability discrimination legislation.

    She accused me some time ago, years, however i have since been to the head of students support stating that I think I may be on the spectrum and asking about how to be diagnosed. But she could not help me.

    I am having a meeting soon to discuss "Informal Capability"* I would inform the school of being on the ASD spectrum at that meeting and if they proceed then a decision would have to be made but even then I am not sure re constructive dismissal. Though I will take legal advise.

    * (Informal capability is a process where the issues are discussed and a "support package" inc targets is put in place.

    If you do not pass the targets you are put onto formal capability. Almost no one makes it onto formal capability as that goes onto your permanent record and makes it almost impossible for you to get alternative employment, so prior to that the employee resigns (often having accepted a settlement)

    The process is a bullies charter as the targets are often subjective (observations) and as you cannot afford to go onto the formal part and they know it, then the teacher is forced to settle/resign.)

Reply

  • Robert124 said:

    In your original post you mention that your head of department accused you of having aspergers.  And you now have been diagnosed with aspergers.

    The situation sounds like constructive dismissal and you should be protected by disability discrimination legislation.

    She accused me some time ago, years, however i have since been to the head of students support stating that I think I may be on the spectrum and asking about how to be diagnosed. But she could not help me.

    I am having a meeting soon to discuss "Informal Capability"* I would inform the school of being on the ASD spectrum at that meeting and if they proceed then a decision would have to be made but even then I am not sure re constructive dismissal. Though I will take legal advise.

    * (Informal capability is a process where the issues are discussed and a "support package" inc targets is put in place.

    If you do not pass the targets you are put onto formal capability. Almost no one makes it onto formal capability as that goes onto your permanent record and makes it almost impossible for you to get alternative employment, so prior to that the employee resigns (often having accepted a settlement)

    The process is a bullies charter as the targets are often subjective (observations) and as you cannot afford to go onto the formal part and they know it, then the teacher is forced to settle/resign.)

Children
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