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?
