My son has aspergers and is determined to become a special education teacher. He is intelligent and articulate and has avery neuro-typical persona. Although he has a gift and passion for relating to children with special needs he is not sure that the difficulties he has with multi-tasking and rigidity will allow him to make teaching his profession. He would howver like to get a degree in special education as a starting point. He will be interviewing this fall for acceptance into the teachers education program at the university he attends. Could anyone one advise as to whether it would be best to disclose the fact that he is on the spectrum?
Has anyone seen AspieTeacher on here lately? I'm not much help but I know there is a special ed teacher on this forum that is diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. If I remember right, he works with kids with severe autism. Not that my opinion matters, but, I think it would be fine to disclose the information. One of the big things that my teacher ed program taught me was to realize my strengths and weaknesses. By reflecting on my weaknesses, it made it easier to then see how to compensate. I suppose it would really depend on the severity of your son's Asperger's but I think he should go for it.
He should definitely go for it--as for disclosure, while it is totally up to him, chances are if he is working with special educators, they'll figure it out. After all, we are trained to know the signs, and after awhile in the field, you tend to notice them both in students and in those around you. That said, I can't see it being a hindrance. You will certainly get your occasional ignorant and tactless person, but on the whole, I find my colleagues to be very supportive--especially my fellow members of the special ed department. We take care of each other, and hopefully that is the kind of working environment your son will find. And as far as telling the teacher's ed program, they might like it b/c he adds diversity to their program (I don't like to say that b/c I know that sounds a little unpleasant, but seems to be how college admissions-types think!).
Ginger, I would highly suggest that your son seek the goal in which he is most interested. I think it's beyond rewarding that your son wants to work with special education students as well. As you may know, I am also a special education teacher diagnosed with AS. This is where I got my screen name in these message boards. I too became a special education teacher because of my drive and determination to thank all of my special education teachers. Tell your son never to be ashamed of his uniqueness. It's like telling others should I keep it quiet that i'm "deaf", ect. Encourage him to do his best and allow him to make mistakes and learn from them too. I would suggest that he visit various rooms to see which forms of special education he would be most comfortable. I struggled to become a teacher and in 2005, I was nominated by my peers for Special Education Teacher of the Year. Tell him to never give up on his passion. Passion is what makes a person. AspieTeacher Troy in Downey, Ca
Aspie Teacher, I have been searching for you - Thank you so much for your reply Did you disclose your diagnoses to the university you attended and to the school where you were hired? My son has always felt that no one would hire him if they knew he was on the spectrum. While he appears very neuro-typical, he most defintely is an Aspie and has difficulties with executive functioning and emotional modulation. He has struggled to complete his degree - In the past he has either made the deans list or has gotten overloaded and ending up failing or dropping all his classes. This past year he attended the College Internship Program ( an intensive and comprehensive program for young adults with Aspergers) and as a result of his efforts there he has gained alot of self-awarenes and maturity. During this time he also interned at an elementary school in a self-contained classroom for severely disabled children. The teacher he interned under felt that it while he could functional well as a teachers aid or perhaps as a behavior analyst, it would be a real struggle for him to handle a classroom on his own. She felt perhaps he could do it eventually if he was determined enough and willing to work very hard. My son accepted her feedback and recognizes that teaching may not be the best choice for him but he is determined to somehow work with chlidren and find the right place for himself. He is returning this fall to complete his degree in special ed and I think it would be best for him to disclose his diagnosis and get everything out in the open - he's afraid that if he does disclose the university will refuse to accept him into the program and that's where we're at presently. Would greatly appreciate any guidance you can offer
