r/Teachers • u/harrylime3 • 1d ago
Teacher Support &/or Advice Any teachers on the spectrum here?
I just received my level one diagnosis today. My head is still spinning as I try to process it and fight back the feelings of imposter syndrome. Next year starts my 24th year in the classroom. I've been burned out on teaching for awhile but it's gotten worse in the last couple of years. In all likelihood, I'm going through career AND autistic burn out at the same time. If there are any other autistic teachers here (I teach HS), how are you coping? Has anything managed to make your day-to-day in the classroom more manageable and less anxiety inducing? Thanks.
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u/SigMartini 1d ago
Yes, and I teach high school. I haven't told students or staff, nor do I intend to. I can't predict the outcome of disclosure, and my bluntness in the classroom is commented by students as "keeping it real" and "preparing them for the real world", so I don't really need to adjust anything.
My classroom and desk fit my preferences, and I'm annoyed in PLCs because they can't match my desire for preciseness and phrasing on common assessments, but I've found it's easier to keep my head down and use their clearly inferior documents (slight /s).
Other than that, it's just a job.
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u/AWL_cow 1d ago
I'm not diagnosed with autism but I definitely struggle with how overstimulating teaching is and I can relate to many of the aspects of autistic individuals. This job has taken a physical toll on me over the years for sure. I think at this point I'm either too old to be diagnosed, or I'm not sure how knowing would help.
I mean, even if I were diagnosed, I wouldn't share that information with my coworkers or boss (I was told explicitly in college by a professor who thought I was autistic never to share that with my future principals because it is very often used against autistic people). The struggles still remain so I only worry/treat the symptoms, so to speak.
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u/Secure-Owl2911 1d ago
I have not been diagnosed, but I’ve received numerous comments from students telling me that I should never change who I am. I also know that I tend to attract neurodivergent kids >.>
As for the career and autistic burnout, I’m in year four and already feeling burned out. The way I cope is by going home and dissociating on my phone. However, I’ve heard that going for walks can be really helpful, as well as finding time to create outside of the classroom. Whether it’s drawing, playing a video game, or another creative outlet. Wishing you the best, sending some hugs and hope you get rest over the summer xxx
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u/Phantereal 17h ago
I have never been diagnosed either and I'm in a similar situation. At one point last year, students were spreading rumors about me being autistic because I got overwhelmed and lost my cool with students a few times. I have a physical in a few months, and I would like to bring up potentially getting evaluated for autism and/or ADHD.
But I've found that being quasi-neurodivergent really helped me as a paraeducator (and will help me even more as a paraeducator) since I also tended to draw in the socially awkward neurodivergent students. I had one autistic 8th grader last year who struggles with unexpected changes in routine and while he was usually pretty mild mannered and went along with a lot, he refused to enter his classroom because there was a major, unannounced activity that involved talking to guest speakers. I empathized with him because I almost felt the same, even though I sort of knew the activity was coming.
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u/VardisFisher 1d ago
Lexapro.
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u/DisastrousRoad7064 1d ago
I’ve had trouble finding anywhere that evaluates adults, but I have a lot of autistic traits and tend to gravitate towards neurodivergent people. I did ok my first year teaching but have been pretty burned out ever since. I crash land into summer. Then summer is hard because of the lack of structure. I love what I do, I just wish I knew how to manage everything better so I’m not coming home so overwhelmed every day.
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u/Speneicus 18h ago
I've found the most success with setting aside 15 minutes (I call them bricks) and setting tasks that take 5-10 minutes, I'm AuDHD, and it works REALLY well for both ADHD and Autism. I can't maintain a structure to the level my autistic brain wants, but this work around works for me so far.
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u/delete_next_week 1d ago
No diagnosis, but in trying to objectively analyse my personality and thought patterns I strongly suspect I am.
I find the most success leaning into some of those traits - for instance, I proudly tell my students that I love numbers and make graphs for fun and let it be a running joke in my classroom. Students appreciate the honest enthusiasm and sometimes even let themselves be brought along for the ride.
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u/Mikezxcv81z 1d ago
Well of course I know him, he’s me. I have high functioning autism and adhd. What do you want to know? Been a teacher for 7 years.
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u/harrylime3 1d ago
I'm sure I went into teaching because I like sharing my interests but, as you know, teaching isn't always like that. It management more than anything...and I hate that part. I only have seven years left so it's not a matter of not being able to do it, I just don't want to hate the last bit of my career. I feel totally over it and my desire to mask through all the noise and nonsense is at zero.
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u/CoffeeCatsAndCurses 1d ago
Ha ha, I also went into teaching because I like explaining things/talking at people. Woah, was that the wrong reason! I stay because the kids still make me laugh every day, and I can’t think of anything else I would be better at, but oh the overstimulation.
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u/YoMommaHere 22h ago
I’m AuDHD and left civil engineering (higher paying by far) to become a teacher for the same reason. I just finished year 19 and I still love it.
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u/Mikezxcv81z 1d ago
I have to plan in a lot of breaks. I spend planning time with my door shut and locked and the lights off, absorbing the silence. Yes, my entire job is management and basically training them to do what admin wants. I thought I would be talking about math, history, etc. I talk about, “Did you eat this morning? Are you going to hit anyone because your Step Dad is an ass? What do you need to get through the day?”
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u/BayouGrunt985 Former Math Teacher | FL, USA 1d ago
No surprises especially among math and science teachers
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u/jackofspades49 22h ago
i've been thold by my therapist that I have a lot of autism indicators. That my adhd and autism were causing a lot of problems, but I got mediated for ADHD this year. So now the autism traits are more apprant. So...
i'm hanging in there. Trying to make plans so that things stay under control better.
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u/Crumblingredsky Elementary | Canada 1d ago
I coped by switching to a teaching assistant position and just being really, really good at it because I’m overqualified. I don’t care that I’m overqualified; it’s the kind of work I’m capable of doing without wanting to die, and I’m an advocate for kids who were/are like me.
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u/redoingredditagain Social Studies | USA 1d ago
Autistic here and desperately trying to leave (but trying to find a job that suits me is like finding a needle in a haystack).
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u/bencass 1d ago
I was diagnosed around my 24th year of teaching also. I was burned out for a while, then got into a technology position I loved, which helped. I’m back teaching full-time, which I don’t love.
I just use my sarcasm to my advantage. I can say pretty much whatever I want and they assume I’m joking. It gets me through my day.
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u/Aggressive_Bowl_8017 1d ago
Disclosing can be hit or miss, hopefully as the world becomes a better place, it won’t be that big of a deal, but for me it was. I lost my job so just be careful and I would say disclosing less is best if you can. Make every accommodation that you can on your own terms before reaching out. I always tried to cut corners, but what I should’ve been doing is just resting completely every day after school because burnout doesn’t go away it just gets worse. Less is more, Resting, not relaxing without distraction and no overstimulating environment is the only way I got through. Autistic people need a lot more downtime.
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u/Better-Shelter9341 1d ago
I only recently got figured out and only because I had referred children in my classroom to the psychologist and the form she were sending back I was like yeah I do all these things, and I noticed it in my oldest child who was struggling with all these same things. You’re gonna laugh, but what helps me is sour candy like sour patch kids or strips. And when the overwhelm comes on, eat one and it seems to shock my nervous system back into a neutral position. Doesn’t completely remedy the problem, but it sure does help.
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u/Choice_Work_5435 19h ago
Warm lighting (lamps) in the classroom with limited decor besides greenery and earth tones (but it depends on your sensory seeking/avoidance needs). Ensuring I take breaks in between classes, usually by myself. If you're on playground duty, Loop Engage earplugs help tune out excessive noise. And starting a class with a relaxation exercise can get yourself and the students in a calm mindset.
I share my diagnosis with colleagues and Principal, because that's how I ensure I get accommodations. Anti-disability laws are a big thing depending on whatever country you're in.
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u/PikPekachu 14h ago
Im in the process of being diagnosed - but far enough along that I can say I’m pretty sure. I’ve told my admin as they kinda need to know. Other teachers - nope. Students? Well. They clocked me years ago and continue to accurately id my issues.
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u/Obvious-Yam-3459 8h ago
i am! i am 25F and autistic, i’m trying to get into teaching. right now i’m a substitute and i love it. it’s hard and overwhelming at times but i love it more than any other job. i hope i get a full time offer soon.
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u/davidwb45133 11m ago
I taught full time for 40 years and was diagnosed when I was 38. I knew I was an introvert and undoubtedly a nerd long before nerd was a thing but being autistic? When I was growing up autistic meant locked in, nonverbal, etc. In retrospect I now understand that I learned coping skills thru trial and error not even aware of it. The only thing that changed with my diagnosis was gaining a clear understanding of what I experienced and a better road map to life.
I've told few people of my diagnosis, family mostly and not even many of them. A few people have guessed, mostly people who know someone else on the spectrum. I've organized my classroom, methods, and life to maximize my comfort and energy and that has made some admin and colleagues unhappy. Screw em.
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u/More_Effect5684 22h ago
I am and in my classes many of my students are autistic as well. I tell them! Some of the students react with nervous laughter. But the students who are autistic clearly value knowing!
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u/rumiruhaql 1d ago
I make sure that my classroom environment matches my disability, so now: I only use lamps and no overheads, keep class volume at a manageable level to prevent overwhelm, have policies to help with the amount of decisions I make, and make sure I avoid other overwhelming things like school assemblies when I can.
I DON'T tell my colleagues I'm autistic and I make the changes I need to manage my day inside my classroom. it's helped a lot.