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Should I tell my teacher that I might be autistic?

C

Csernyika

Member
I'm currently awaiting a diagnosis, so I might not be autistic, and it won't be sure till around Christmas. (But my psychologist said that I probably have autism and a special education teacher who works with autistic teens said the same thing after I've gone to her a few times.)
This teacher started teaching me this year, so I'm still very anxious around her. She is teaching English. She always tells me to speak up, but I have truble controlling the volume of my voice.
Yesterday, we practised speaking, but I couldn't say anything even in my native language when she asked me if I prefered to write it down instead since she noticed, that I was shaking and crying. Because of that, I feel like I should tell her, but I'm not sure, since I might not be autistic. I wasn't emotionally prepared for speaking, plus it was supposed to be a dialogue with a boy, whom I'd never seen before, so I was even more anxious and as I mentioned earlier, I didn't get used to the new teacher yet. (I froze down even when there was speaking with the previous teacher, but I managed to collect myself way faster, because she had already taught me for three years when it happened and I trusted her.)
(Sorry for my mistakes, I hope it's understandable.)
 
Is there some reason you feel anxious? Is it fear of her, or the subject matter, or you are very emotional?

Sometimes l just catch my breath, count to 10, then l respond. It does help a little. If you say something stupid, the world doesn't end. Trust me, l have said stupid things plenty of times under stress. It does get better in life.
 
Csernyika said:
I'm currently awaiting a diagnosis, so I might not be autistic, and it won't be sure till around Christmas. (But my psychologist said that I probably have autism and a special education teacher who works with autistic teens said the same thing after I've gone to her a few times.)
This teacher started teaching me this year, so I'm still very anxious around her. She is teaching English. She always tells me to speak up, but I have truble controlling the volume of my voice.
Yesterday, we practised speaking, but I couldn't say anything even in my native language when she asked me if I prefered to write it down instead since she noticed, that I was shaking and crying. Because of that, I feel like I should tell her, but I'm not sure, since I might not be autistic. I wasn't emotionally prepared for speaking, plus it was supposed to be a dialogue with a boy, whom I'd never seen before, so I was even more anxious and as I mentioned earlier, I didn't get used to the new teacher yet. (I froze down even when there was speaking with the previous teacher, but I managed to collect myself way faster, because she had already taught me for three years when it happened and I trusted her.)
(Sorry for my mistakes, I hope it's understandable.)
Click to expand...
As an educator, I would find it helpful to have that perspective and context when dealing with specific students,...but, this is also my bias and comfort zone because I know what it is like to be autistic and have done my research. Obviously, not everyone is as well-versed in the condition as I am as an educator.

Because you have a few months before you know,...I would suggest holding out on declaring any such diagnosis, but you might have a private conversation regarding some of the difficulties you are experiencing, as well as your waiting for your doctor to sort this all out. I think this may be the best approach, as it sounds as if she is treating you as a "neurotypical" and may not understand your perspective and difficulties.
 
Schools believe in having autism programs.

Teachers, however, do not believe in autism.

That should explain everything.
 
Ultimately it’s up to you whether you disclose to your teacher or anyone. I’m not in school anymore, but I personally have mixed feelings about disclosing at work. I tend to think it wouldn’t be necessary for me to disclose unless I was in some sort of trouble.
 
Csernyika said:
I'm currently awaiting a diagnosis, so I might not be autistic, and it won't be sure till around Christmas. (But my psychologist said that I probably have autism and a special education teacher who works with autistic teens said the same thing after I've gone to her a few times.)
This teacher started teaching me this year, so I'm still very anxious around her. She is teaching English. She always tells me to speak up, but I have truble controlling the volume of my voice.
Yesterday, we practised speaking, but I couldn't say anything even in my native language when she asked me if I prefered to write it down instead since she noticed, that I was shaking and crying. Because of that, I feel like I should tell her, but I'm not sure, since I might not be autistic. I wasn't emotionally prepared for speaking, plus it was supposed to be a dialogue with a boy, whom I'd never seen before, so I was even more anxious and as I mentioned earlier, I didn't get used to the new teacher yet. (I froze down even when there was speaking with the previous teacher, but I managed to collect myself way faster, because she had already taught me for three years when it happened and I trusted her.)
(Sorry for my mistakes, I hope it's understandable.)
Click to expand...
Hi @Csernyika
Welcome to the Forums. This is a good place to be and to share experiences. To answer the original question, I would tend to suggest that you did tell your teacher. Even if you say that you suspect autism and are currently pursuing a diagnosis. Since this teacher has been with you for a while it might help them in understanding you and why you react the way you do.
 
The short answer? One that you will see a lot posted in this forum.

- Keep such considerations on a "need-to-know" basis only.

If it is not imperative to tell someone- anyone, then the best solution is not to tell them at all. Where such an admission can have potential consequences from even those you believed to be the closest to you.

To recognize the possibility of anticipating understanding and compassion, where instead you get rebuked with a sense of contempt and bewilderment from those who do not understand, or worse do not want to understand.
 
It sounds like your class is teaching a foreign-to-you language. I’m just posting to let you know I was also terrified of speaking in these in person language classes.

Your teacher has already recognized you’re having trouble. There’s no real need to tell her of a possible autism diagnosis.

If you want to talk to her about your problems in class, confine the discussion to the pertinent symptoms; anxiety, “freezing up”, mind goes blank.

I agree with Judge, disclosure on a “need to know” basis.
 
Thank you for the answers, they helped me a lot.
In the end, I only told her about my problems with the situation and that I go to a special education teacher. (And she was understanding about it.)
 
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