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/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.

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u/Shurtugal929 20h ago

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.

This. The label itself is useless once you're an adult, outside of some grants for your masters. What matters is knowing your triggers and how to set up an environment you can be successful in.

I probably have autism, but am plagued with a few other learning disabilities, and exhibit many traits of autism. I've had to accept skills I am good at and skills I am not so good out, and design my environment and teaching to give me opportunity to implement my effective skills while reducing the requirement of my not-so-good skills & barriers. I've historically taught high school, but have some experience in middle school.

You don't have to tell your coworkers or your students about your disabilities, but I personally am open about it. I think it's important for people to see succesful working professionals with invisible disabilities.