A few questions about curtesy towards professors

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I was ill and thought I was not going to be able to go to class. So I e-mailed my teachers at their school e-mail to say I wouldn't be able to come.

I now am worried I shouldn't have.

Is it inappropriate to e-mail professors about possibly being absent?

Also they list office hours- but I don't know if that should be assumed to be free time to ask for help or questions. I am very lost because I don't know what to do in regards to manners. What is a proper level of formality to keep with a professor. I assumed extremely formal at first but now I am not so sure.

Honestly this question seems to be something that could change from professor to professor. My best advice would be to talk to your professors individually maybe before class or right afterwards. Inform them if they dont know you're an aspie and ask them personally if its neccessary to tell them you'll be absent.

Let them know you just want to get off on the right foot, just dont know where to step. Any professor nowadays will most likely know about the autistic sprectrum by now. For you to allow them this information, it may help you out more in the future as well. For instance, asking them questions will more likely be accepted because they'll understand their lesson might have just gone over your head a little bit instead of you not paying attention.

Just dont try to be anything other than formal(unless its a younger professor who has told you its ok to be friendly). Many professors in the later stages of life teach for the respect aspect. They appreciate being called sir or ma'am, or Mr./Mrs. (last name) or sometimes ONLY Professor(Dr. if they have a PHD). Just be respectful and they'll usually understand your point of view better.

I've had a number of professors who've asked that students contact them if they're going to miss class, most often in smaller classes where the professor is on a first-name basis with all of the students. Going through the effort of "calling in sick" can often be seen as an indication that you're interested in the class, so if you know you're going to miss a day, pass that along to the professor or teaching assistant as soon as you know. In general though, if you can tough it out and go to class despite being sick, it's better to do so than take an absence.

Office hours are often required by the school so that students have access to their professors to talk about their courses. During this time, your professor (or TA; I've had a few that had office hours), sits in his or her office doing busy work and waiting for students to come and talk to them. I've had professors plead with the class to come visit them during office hours because they were very bored just sitting there.

As for formality, until you've established what the professor's preference is, being formal and polite is a safe bet. If they want a more casual tone, they'll probably tell you. Many will probably prefer a more informal tone (many of my teachers like to be addressed by their first name), while others, as Emoal6 said, will insist on traditional formality.

I've had several professors ask that students email them in this kind of situation. Unless your professors prefer to be contacted another way, I don't see a problem with it. I've had a few who prefer phone messages, but I hate leaving those.

And office hours are usually when you're expected to go in if you need to see the professor in person. They usually try to keep that time free for students. The only thing you'd have to worry about is that they may have scheduled a meeting with another student at that time, but you'll find out when you get there. If the professor is with another student, just say briefly what you wanted to say and be on your way. You can deliver a quick message without significant interruption.

But if you're not well enough to come into class, I don't think they'd expect you to come to their office to tell them about it. Calling or emailing are the best options.

If they posted or gave out their e-mail address, then it is appropriate to e-mail them about class-related things (including an absence). And yes, office hours are for students to come by and ask questions or whatever they need. Sometimes it is easier to ask a question (if it is short) after class or to ask for an appointment or you may have to wait awhile during office hours if another student show us first.

If the class is small enough that attendance is taken it is appropriate to e-mail the professor if you know beforehand that you will be absent. Attendance may also be part of your grade so if you have one you may wish to provide a doctor's note if you have been ill.

In a large lecture class where there is no attendance, there is no reason to notify the professor that you will be absent; they will probably not notice anyway.

As for office hours, this is indeed a time when you can simply go to the professor's office and ask a question or ask for help.

It is generally appropriate to refer to a professor as "Professor (Last Name)". If the professor wishes to be referred to by their first name, they will tell you so.