Telling teachers about your autism

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Yeah, never let on to anyone who studied psychology or is involved in the education program that you're autistic. So many of those people are just really stupid and patronizing. Unfortunately, they are also the folks who run the disability office.

Yup I've learned my lesson. One of my professors was lucky that I didn't smack her, she tended to treat me like I was the slowest one in the room. She even talked very loudly right in front of my face and every thing. Then her theory was dis proven when I was the only one to get an A on the first quiz. The look on her face was the best moment of the semester.

Luckily I haven't had to deal with the disability office yet... Hopefully I won't but I might have to so I can have a shot at not being miserable wherever I'm living next year.

I've only told two professors so far, just this semester--and I am halfway through my third year. It was due to participation marks because one pointed out I was participating enough and another gave the class their marks-to-date on participation and mine was quite low. It's not that I never participate. In one of my classes I probably participate more than anyone because it involves historical facts involving my obsession. In the two classes I am referring to, however, the questions are always, "how do you feel about that" or even worse, "what are the author's intentions" and "how does this person feel" or "what does this person mean" to some ambiguous passage/poem/art piece/etc. Anyway, I was apprehensive about telling them because I once told a boss and she said, "yeah, I knew there was SOMETHING wrong with you!" but actually it wasn't so bad. They talk to me normally just as they do everyone else. One even just emailed me asking me if I would be uncomfortable if she put the class into small group discussions. They don't avoid talking to me, nor do they talk to me as though I am some kind of ret*d. I am still nervous about making it a well-known fact in my school; however, now that I am getting to the higher year seminar and field work courses, it is becoming a necessity (unless I want my grades to suffer). I have an appointment on Monday morning at the Student Accessibility Office to discuss things now that I finally got my medical documentation in.

Hell no.
I'm in university, and no way in hell am I telling anyone. I am officially undiagnosed, but was tested for autism as a kid (back in the day before Asperger's existed as a diagnosis) and worked with autistic people as an adult (as well as getting some assistance when I discovered that I am probably an Aspie).
People realize that I'm a little strange, but as I seem to function well in groupwork and as a public speaker I think that no one would guess this (Temple Grandin hasn't opened people's eyes THAT much).

That suits me fine. I play up the weirdo genius aspects to hide the other aspects.

Maybe I should have mentioned it this winter when I had some problems, but I'm hoping it'll turn out fine. I don't want people to treat me like a porcelain doll, or like I have a disease of some sorts. I'm still better at most of the studies than those studying with me, and I have gained some friends in the country I study in. All this while taking care of wife and children. Smart AND (seemingly) social.

If you are undiagnosed, I would suggest not mentioning it at the university level, because--at least at my school--the require documentation before they can make allowances for you.

This has been my experience too............I'm a psych major.............

Since I have an IEP and I'm in the Special Ed program, they usually find out regardless whether or not I tell them myself. I sometimes don't like it, because it makes them patronize me and in a way, it makes me feel like my privacy is being exposed. But then again, it could come in handy...

I'm still in high school, for the record.

I was identified with a learning disability in childhood and I always told my teachers in order to receive accommodations. I didn't get diagnosed with asperger's until I was halfway through university. By then, I was already receiving regular support.

I'm in college, and my speech teacher doesn't know. I'm strongly thinking of doing so, though.

Nope, not directly. I'm one of those students who hand the accommodation letter to the prof after class and then walk away. I was told that it's better when a student comes in during office hours with the accommodation letter and stays to discuss it with the prof, but I am personally rather scared to do that nor do I see the point in doing so. I don't think disclosing my actual label will do much good; it might only serve to single me out more as "that special kid", something I really have a fear of being. However, I have had to advocate for myself several times when I faced disability-related hurdles. For example, we had to do an oral presentation in front of evaluators, and I came in to the head prof of the class and told her about some of my difficulties with non-verbal communication which was part of the evaluation rubric. I have also been able to persuade a prof to have me work alone for a partner project since it is something I brought up with her at the beginning of the year (I think the most I have ever said was that I have communication difficulties; it was the advance timing that really mattered and I'm still not even sure if the teacher knew that it is tied to my disability). Only little things like that were revealed throughout the year, and it worked out fine.

On a side note, I was really surprised at the fact that when I told my linguistics professor that I was going to attend an autism conference (I had to switch my tutorial for that day, that's why I brought it up with him after he asked), he never asked me why I was going to attend it. Hmm...

Edit: I also told that same prof that I have a learning disability, but that's as far as I have gone.

Last edited by MathGirl on 21 Apr 2011, 3:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I mention Autism/Asperger's in practically each of my courses this semester. I'm even doing a research paper called "Aspie" (More a personal paper) than research. It's for Philosophy and girls are "little philosophers" so I thought that fit. He said he couldn't wait to read it. I mention I was going to basically go into detail on my issues with having Asperger's Syndrome he said that's GREAT! and was very enthusiastic. I hope giving speeches next semester goes well. We'll have to wait and see.

I did my second semester of college. I wrote a letter describing my medical problems and I included Aspergers.