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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
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    I think that your union should be able to provide some specialist input on reasonable adjustments. It won't be the local rep but they are able to call on specialists who have the specialist knowledge.

    I had good experience with Access to Work but I don't think that they will be able to react quickly enough for your meeting this week. They would send someone to do a workplace asessment and that might result in some recommendations in due course. You could always ring them now and ask what they would suggest.

    Unfortunately I think that it may be difficult to rebuild relationships where you work - realistically it may be an unwelcome environment in the future and you may be better off leaving and starting over somewhere else. I went through this a couple of jobs ago and have found a much better environment to work in. I know your circumstances are very different so that may be a less attractive option for you.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member

    I think that your union should be able to provide some specialist input on reasonable adjustments. It won't be the local rep but they are able to call on specialists who have the specialist knowledge.

    I had good experience with Access to Work but I don't think that they will be able to react quickly enough for your meeting this week. They would send someone to do a workplace asessment and that might result in some recommendations in due course. You could always ring them now and ask what they would suggest.

    Unfortunately I think that it may be difficult to rebuild relationships where you work - realistically it may be an unwelcome environment in the future and you may be better off leaving and starting over somewhere else. I went through this a couple of jobs ago and have found a much better environment to work in. I know your circumstances are very different so that may be a less attractive option for you.

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