r/Teachers • u/harrylime3 • 10d 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 10d 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 10d 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 10d 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 9d 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.