Is it normal to be a good teacher with asperger's disorder?

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9 Comments

I am a 23 year old guy who just completed a teacher education program in the past year. I have Asperger's but it's very mild- mainly just with nonverbal communication (small talk, building deep relationships) that I have a problem with. I was the top of my class in high school and college. I have taught many lessons with students that have gone successfully (I am a special education teacher, so it was with kids who had intellectual disabilities).

Anyways, during my student teaching, I was placed in a math class for students with learning disabilities and was required to teach in inclusion language arts classes. The experience was horrible, and my directing teacher wanted to fail me because I could not pick up on the nonverbal behavior of the kids. But, my professor saw how well I did with many of my lessons and that I worked really hard so I still got an A-. After this experience, I decided I never wanted to be in a classroom again.

About two months ago I had a job offer as a teaching assistant at a private school working with 1st-3rd graders. I decided to take it because I liked how small the classes were and I needed a job. I have really enjoyed it and feel very comfortable with this age group. I have even been offered a teaching position for 1st-3rd grade for next year. The only thing is, I am worried that I will be overwhelmed by all the decision making as I will spend more time on my own and with the whole class. Or, what if I misinterpret social cues and make a mistake? I feel like I can do it- but I don't want to make a mistake and have kids suffer for it. What should I do? * Part of my decision in going into education is because I wanted to help kids with autism and Asperger's as I know the things I struggled with in school. Any comments are greatly appreciated!

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86% Normal
Based on 28 votes (24 yes)
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Comments ( 9 )
  • [Old Memory]
    10 years ago

    I think you can still be a good teacher. I have aspergers too and I don't see why it should hold you back from anything. You're doing a lot better than me by having your teaching degree by now. I didnt even get out of highschool till I was 22.

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  • Devyn
    10 years ago

    As an Aspie at the end of school education (going to Oxford to study maths next year) who has been taught at one point by a maths teacher with Asperger's Syndrome, I can hopefully give some useful advise, or at least insight.

    Firstly I have noticed that I learn quite differently to most of my peers, picking up concepts very quickly and noticing links between concepts, but being relatively poor at memorising lots of disparate information. Assuming that this difference is on account of Asperger's syndrome and that you have experienced the same phenomenon, I certainly think that there's a risk of you teaching as if most of your pupils learn in this way. The one teacher with AS who did teach me often assumed that the class was grasping concepts faster than we actually were and thus often left us in confusion when moving on quickly to more complicate topics. So my advice would be to regularly make sure the class is on the level of understanding that you think they are.

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  • [Old Memory]
    10 years ago

    The way you speak of Asperger's in such clarity and understanding makes one think you don't actually have it.

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  • et12356
    10 years ago

    Wow! My faith in humanity has been restored. I am on the autism spectrum (they can't figure out where to place me, but I'm there) and I have ADHD, OCD, SPD. But I went to a really supportive school, and I was able to make it through. The thing is, I only started going to that school after elementary school. I wish there had been someone to support me and someone who understood the difficulties I had when I was in elementary school. I'd suggest asking the students to tell you if you misunderstood them. Thank you, you're doing a great thing.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      10 years ago

      Aww this really makes me feel good. It's funny because some of the students have autism spectrum disorders and remind me of myself in many ways. It is great to know that maybe I can be a positive influence for them. For me it was the opposite- I had rough times in middle/high school because so many teachers didn't understand me and what I needed to be successful in their classes. Like I used to HATE group projects because I didn't know how to talk to other students outside of class. So, I didn't have any friends. But- now maybe I can help my students be successful with that :)

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      • et12356
        10 years ago

        I think your students really appreciate that, and if they don't, then that means your making it so easy for them they don't even realize that it was possible for it to be hard. Thank you, I wish I had a teacher who understood me when I was in my younger years of grade school.

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  • Älä
    10 years ago

    Congratulations!

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  • moomus
    10 years ago

    Go for it! Sounds like you would be great. Good luck!

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  • noid
    10 years ago

    It sounds you have found a setting that works well for you. Go for it! And remember that everyone makes mistakes so if you do, don't be too discouraged. Is there anyone at the school you can confide in and talk to to help you sort out difficulties and cope better when needed?
    I read Donna Williams' book Somebody Somewhere in which she also experienced difficulties as a student teacher. She has a significant level of autism. You might be interested learning about what she's done with her life...anyway I think you'll be ok. Good luck!

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