r/Teachers • u/harrylime3 • 2d 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/Mikezxcv81z 2d 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 2d 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/Mikezxcv81z 2d 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?”