Meltdown in front of class

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Hi, I'm a self-diagnosed aspie.

The other day, our teacher went home sick. Instead of having Mrs M, we had a reliever. And instead of doing english, we did drama.
I just couldn't participate - I sat at my desk, and couldn't stop crying, fidgeting, pacing...
It was just a subconscious thought of "Hey, here's a change in routine" that set me off.

My whole class thinks I'm REALLY weird, and I can't justify it with "I'm aspergers," because even though I KNOW I have it, I'm self-diagnosed.

Any advice - what do you do when you have a meltdown in class?
Or how do you stop yourself having a meltdown in a public place?
Thanks

I would talk to your parents about taking you to the doctor to get an official diagnosis so that you can get some help with these situations at school. A doctor is the only one who can "officially" diagnose you.

But in the meantime. If you feel a meltdown coming on, due to a change in schedule or something else, ask for permission to go to the restroom, nurse, or counselor. Go to a private place until you can get your emotions under control. I hope this helps. I work with kids your age that are on the spectrum.

I would talk to your parents about taking you to the doctor to get an official diagnosis so that you can get some help with these situations at school. A doctor is the only one who can "officially" diagnose you.

But in the meantime. If you feel a meltdown coming on, due to a change in schedule or something else, ask for permission to go to the restroom, nurse, or counselor. Go to a private place until you can get your emotions under control. I hope this helps. I work with kids your age that are on the spectrum.

Thanks for the advice.
Services for kids with aspergers/autism/ADD at our school seem quite - what's the word? - I guess relaxed.
I got one session with the disabilities person when I first came to this school, because of dyspraxia. Although I told her that I would like her to inform my teachers, nothing ever came of it, and I don't really trust her, and even less the counsellor and "Gifted Coordinator"
I'm pretty sure that I'll have another meltdown in the next couple of weeks - my economics teacher left, and we have a new economics teacher who doesn't really care how disruptive the class gets. I have to work in silence, and not be interrupted, and because people are very noisy, and in general disruptive, I go into overdrive, start hyperventilating, and almost crying.
Is this aspergers or is this just no tolerance for people's behavior?
(I also have many other symptoms, including special interests that I focus completely on, sensory issues, and OCD tendancies)

This isn't just low tolerance for others' behaviors. It may or may not be AS, but it's not a 'normal' response to the classroom. I suspect you will notice that the other kids are not hyperventilating while experiencing the same environment that is affecting you.

It does sound like aspergers to me. What do your parents say about it?

We have a neighbour with an aspergers/ADD kid, and I've told her. I've also told my oboe teacher. Both agree I have aspergers.
I haven't told my parents outright about what's happening in class, etc, but I have discussed aspergers with them.
My parents believe an - if not stereotypical description of aspergers than an abridged version - that aspergers is just being able to focus extraordinarily well on a single topic.
Although they have lived through my obsessions with Joe Simpson (an amazing mountaineer), James Bond movies (seen 'em all, and daydream about him, it's one of my calming techniques), programming and the US military, in particular MPs (military police) they haven't made a connection to aspergers.
They think that my extreme sensitivity means I was born to be an osteopath (like a physiotherapist).
All other behavior, they put down to my dyspraxia.

That must be frustrating. I would try to talk to them and explain what is happening at school. Tell your parents you would really like to discuss this with your doctor and see if they are willing to take you.

Hi, Pamo
You said you work with kids my age on the spectrum.
Um, could you please give me a bit advice on how to approach my parents - they have very one-sided views.
Should I educate them, and then tell them about my experiences, or what?
If you don't know enough about my situation to tell, that's ok.
One more thing - they are kind of stingy with money. This would cost, right?

Meltdowns happen sometimes, but if you are an aspie, then you are also smart enough to recognize a meltdown when it happens - AND learn to deal with the change in a constructive way rather than exposing yourself that way. A change in routine tends to spark meltdowns as you know, but you also need to know that stuff changes. Nothing, I mean Nothing, will be exactly the same as it is today forever.

You need to develop emotional shock absorbers to handle yourself in those situations like you mentioned. Maybe keep quiet and ask to speak to the teacher and tell her that this change really bothers you and that you would like to sit quietly in the back of the room for a while. That will give you some time to adjust if you need it.

Just to clarify with Buryuntime;
Me: sitting at desk, crying, rubbing knuckles against head
Everyone else: doing drama, roleplays
Everyone else: realises I'm crying, crowds around
Me: jumps up, paces away from everyone, starts pacing
Me: "just leave me alone, please"
Everyone else: *weird looks*
Some people sit down again, some crowd around again.
Me: goes back to desk, randomly crying...

I don't know what the medical system is like in New Zealand. Here it would depend on what type of insurance your parents had. I would talk to them and see what they say. Good luck. If I can help you at all or if you have any other questions you can email me at shumate67@hotmail.com

My name is Pam Angel

Next time you walk in class, and the professor is getting ready and people are around, inform her that you had a pain attack of your ulcer the other day and that you were in bad pain, but tried unsuccessfully to ride out the attack. And say this in a loud enough voice so other students can hear. But not TOO loud. You don't want to shout or sound like you're trying to announce an excuse.

I know it sounds overdramatic, but so was your behavior that day.

EDIT: In the future, if you feel a meltdown coming on, get up and head to the restroom. And then clean yourself back up before you get back to class so it doesn't look like you were sobbing on the toilet.