Support plan at work - ASD related

[NeedSomeHelpWithThisOnePlease]

A couple of years ago, I was referred for an ASD assessment but I didnt go because I was overwhelmed at the thought of it and had no support at the time. So I don't have a diagnosis.

I've only worked part time for years due to issues that directly relate to asd issues/traits.

Whenever I've tried to work full time, these issues have been a problem and I've left.

I've now been put on a support plan at work for issues that directly relate to these again - the same issues that crop up over and over again. Namely executive function/sensory related issues. I have a child with dyspraxia and I recognise some of my issues in him too.

I struggle with organisation and meeting deadlines. I get overwhelmed with change and sensory overload.

I'm a teacher.

This term has been particularly difficult - I found thebcovid related changes very stressful and difficult to manage initially although I'm used to them more now. I'm experiencing sensory overload daily due to the impact of some of these changes. Some of the issues have been dealt with by school but I'm still experiencing them just to a lesser degree. And organisation/deadlines has always been an issue in all aspects of my life.

I've been assigned a mentor to support but I'm wondering if i need to discuss the possibility of asd with them?

I can't tell them I have it because I dont have a diagnosis and, as such, didn't declare it as a disability when I started.

I'm considering asking my HT for a meeting after school.and telling her some of the above - about the referral and the impact.

What do you think?

I have been open about my ASD diagnosis with my employer and they were fantastic at offering support. The law is on your side with this too- if you disclose a disability it is a protected characteristic and they are obliged to offer reasonable adjustments.

Things that helped me that might be worth considering:

1. Noise cancelling headset- helps me to focus and causes waaaay less stress by removing some of my sensory input.

1. Fixed desk- our office is hotdesking and this used to really stress me out so I have a seat assigned to me and marked out with a little sign.

1. Flexible hours. Poor executive function means I struggle to leave the house on time and get ready independently. My flexible working agreement states that I start work at any time between 9-10.30 and I leave 8 hours later, whenever this is. This also helps me avoid some of the main morning rush/traffic/commute- I like to start around 10 as my brain gets more effective later in the day.

1. Mentoring to improve my executive function/organisational skills. I wasn’t born with these but it hasn’t meant I can’t learn. My manager helped me try and test various organisational strategies until we found one that works and I can stick to. Every morning we would have a 5 min catch up and list my tasks for the day and write in order of priority. He would check in with me that I was following it. Gradually I picked up the prioritisation skill myself and my manager reduced his involvement to nothing- this process took about 3 months. This was the gamechanger for me really- it vastly improved my productivity and confidence at work, knowing I could be on top of things.

1. Anxiety system. We made a traffic light system and I wrote down each day what I would score the day and my triggers. We also made a plan for what would happen if I ever went “red” (go and sit in a meeting room for 15 mins, if not back after that time, manager to come in a review situation) but actually learning my triggers and knowing that there was a safety net in place means I’ve never actually gone “red”. A fair few ambers but really it has got me into the habit of managing my emotions and anxiety in the workplace.

I went from practically begging someone to pass my probation to having been promoted twice in 3 years. It’s completely changed my life to actually enjoy and feel confident and capable at work, even as a person with ASD, rather than work being something scary to suffer through.

I hope this helps.

And just because you haven’t got a letter that says you have it, doesn’t mean you don’t have it! Late diagnosis is getting more and more common. One of the best things that helped me was that my employer treated me “as if” I had been diagnosed whilst I was still on the waiting list.

To this day, they have never asked me for a piece of paper to prove it.

Thanks. I think I'm worried that it's something i should have declared when I started.

But it's not an illness and I dont have time off work with it and I dont have a diagnosis. I dont consider myself 'disabled' but i am 'disabled' by it.

It affects every aspect of my life - friendships, relationships, general life admin. I work really hard and yet I'm never quite able to do it.

How could you have done so? It sounds like you have only just really come to terms with the fact that this could be you so there’s no way you could have told anyone when you started the role!

I think approaching it as “I suspect I have ASD but haven’t fully investigated yet and think this impacts my work” might be a good opener. Showing that you have been investigating and thinking about it would show self awareness and a willingness to combat it.

There is absolutely no way you should be discriminated for it and if they do, they are in the wrong! A reasonable response would be to ask you if you are undergoing investigations with the NHS/professionals and what the process might be and if there are any resources that they/you can access to support

And I completely empathise with your thoughts of disabled and seemingly struggling with things other people seem to manage.

It’s a massive realisation to come to terms with and is a whole new identity for yourself really so be kind and let it sink in and work out what your thoughts on it are.

Unfortunately a lot of the adjustments in user's post above sound incompatible with teaching. Are you primary or secondary?

Primary.

A lot of the issues I'm experiencing are sensory and executive function related. The covid rules have exacerbated both of these. It took me a long time to get used to the changes and I found it very distressing. My classroom is very noisy through external and I have a few high needs children/a challenging class which makes it worse.

I get on with my colleagues ok because I mask well enough generally and spend little time with them. I really only speak to the two i work directly with most days and the others it's just a passing hello. But even then I'm aware of being loud, saying too much etc.

My home life is a quite chaotic. I don't spend much time with other people and manage it very strictly so it doesn't.

I'm worried about just saying, "I think I have asd," in case it sounds like an excuse but I'm not sure it will go down well if I say I had an appointment with a psychiatrist but the reality of a diagnosis scared me.

I just find life very stressful generally. I can manage some aspects of it - minimising the time I spend with friends and not having a boyfriend; online shopping and paying every single bill (even my car tax!) by DD, but work isn't that simple.

I can't wear noise cancelling headgear, I can't take time out during the day and I can't change anything about my work environment.

I'm not sure what work could do to help. I think I'd just like to make them aware.

earlabs.co/dbud/sensitivity/?gclid=CjwKCAiAq8f-BRBtEiwAGr3DgTiqGtiD1OaPdPLk6IQa4B3-b93Yw4zMyBPzugbxa9u1jbO0HtAldxoCVsUQAvD_BwE. Noise reducing ear plugs might help?

My ASD husband uses apps to help schedule tasks and set reminders. Many suggestions for apps here:

www.google.com/amp/s/www.additudemag.com/mobile-apps-for-adhd-minds/amp/

Can you get re referred for assessment?

Teaching is stressful anyway and more so at the moment with the changes due to Covid.

Those ear buds look really good.

The issue I'm concerned with with those is that the external noise is so loud that I'm struggling to hear some of the children speak in the classroom as it is. I'm worried that whilst it would reduce the sensory stress overall, it would make that worse!

I'll have a look at those apps too. I prefer paper diaries but I'm not very good at using them. It's just an added 'job' and I forget

And then it starts to sound like I'm making excuses

I'm.foing to have to tell them in the first instance.

How old are the children?

How long have you been teaching? Are there any sideways teaching roles that would suit? Anything that doesn't involve a noisy classroom?

7 and 8.

Its not their fault but it's a noisy and acknowledged to he a challenging class even without the high needs children.

I've been teaching for 13 years but I've mainly done supply/pt because I find full time difficult to manage.

I don't work in schools, so I'm not well-qualified to answer, but feel that you have to do what's best for you and the class. If a support plan which takes your potential ASD challenges into account will help you work more effectively and with less stress, than you should contact the HT and get the wheels in motion for referral and evaluation. If however, you don't think that working full-time is good for you or the students, then you'll need to work towards a part-time, or different teaching role.
I think you could say that you've had suspicions about a potential diagnosis, but coped well. However, the additional burden of Covid policies is making it untenable to ignore the challenges.
You may find the HT is more aware than you think and won't be surprised when you say it.