I really want to tell my teacher I have Asperger

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Hi Everyone!

I really want to tell my teacher I have Asperger's (he is actually supervisor of my bachelor's thesis). We had couple misunderstandings in the past and I can see that know he perceives me as rude and arrogant. I already have an e-mail written but I am afraid to click the "send" button. My supervisor is a pediatrician so is familiar with ASD. I really don't think that he would use the information about my AS against me. I feel that telling him is very important for getting my degree as I am getting more and more anxious about our meetings and I am simply loosing interest in getting the degree because of that. I hope that telling him would help me a lot with stress etc. I just haven't told anyone about AS, and this would be my first time (and I think this is why I am afraid). Words of encouragemnet and your own opinions, experiences would be greatly appreciated

All the best for all!
Sophie

What would hold more water than simply telling your professor is to provide documentation of your Aspergers to your schools disabilities services to officially prove to the school you have it. That way you can hand in a letter to your professor to let them know you will be getting academic accommodations, for me it is extra time on tests, testing in a quiet area, and ability to record lectures. When you hand the letter in, your professor isn't allowed to ask or inquires as to why you have the academic accommodations, but you can choose to tell them why if you want and think that is the right thing to do.

Though the email might clear the air, I think that sending an email explaining that you have Aspergers could possibly be interpreted as making an excuse for the misunderstandings and deepen the hole.

Just my two cents, hope I helped.

Thank you for your reply. The problem is taht in the counry I live in there is no such thing as "disabilities services"... Also my supervisor is not employed at university I study in (it is too complicated to explain). After I gradutae I will probably still see him a lot as I do some other research at the same Department and will probably work with him on some other study I would like to do.



It is a good point...

This situation is really driving me crazy. I will probably see him soon and I might try to tell him that personally but can't come up with anything that might not sound as an excuse.

I can see why.

Perhaps it would be good if you can phrase it as asking for his advice, rather than simply providing an explanation which might be viewed as an excuse.

Like, I have this issue, I've learned to cope with x and y parts of it on my own, but, I'm hoping you can give me some advice on dealing with z in our environment.

Do you think that would work? Some people love giving advice, and it positions you as a problem solver, and that the position isn't carved in stone, that it can be worked with.

Thank you, this is actually not a bad idea , but I still don't really know how to exactly turn my thoughts into words (always had problems with that, really annoying!! !! !!)

The problems that I have are: misinterpreting people's emotions and also sometimes what they are saying. I also had one meltdown there after which I ended up crying, hitting wall with my fists and had to take a long walk (all happened outside the Department because I did not want anyone to see this, they only saw me crying a little bit), but after I got back I still could not concentrate on the work I had to do. I also have troubles with organizing and also need VERY specific instrucions when I have to do/write sth and those have to be sometimes repeated to me couple of times (for example I had to write some part of my disertation, but had no idea how to do this, so I asked again and then again but still had no idea what to do and eventually gave up...he must've think of me as some sort of moron...). I also think that I am getting overly attached to other people, which is really difficult for me.

Ok... So I sent and e-mail with a text just like you proposed. And just got a response, that he has no time to think about it. I am extremely pissed and about to have a meltdown and just want to cry... Now that I did it, I wish I haven't...

Well, if that isn't just lazy and dismissive of him. What a tool.

My mom told me not to take it personally, but I just can't. I don't understand what just happened. And not understanding is making me really nervous and angry. I will probably not sleep tonight as I will analyze this situation to try to come up with an explanation for his behaviour.