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A huge thank you to @mum2aspergirl for arranging the #Autschoolstaff webinar, with particular thank you to @thewoodbug and @HappeLab. Thank you to all the speakers and panelists for taking part.
A few takeaways:
1. There must be more research into the lived experiences of autistic professionals working in the education system (not just schools).
1. There must be more research into the lived experiences of autistic professionals working in the education system (not just schools).
2. This needs to come from both research-led studies within higher education, the department of education and grass roots-led in schools.
3. There needs to be further discussion and research into how to accommodate autistic adults needs within the education system.
4. A realisation that some staff working within the sector might not be aware that they are autistic. Leadership should be underpinned by support and empathy.
5. Common HR practices going forward need to include a variety of ways to ensure the recruitment, training and retention of autistic staff working in the sector. This should include the following recommendations:
• Clear communication throughout from first day of teacher training through to last day of retirement.
• Using observations of job role instead of interviews (which most autistic people do not perform well in!)
• Using observations of job role instead of interviews (which most autistic people do not perform well in!)
• If interviews are used, then advanced notice of questions and time to process information need to be key.
• No large panel of people interviewing – quite intimidating otherwise.
• No large panel of people interviewing – quite intimidating otherwise.
• Job applications need to very clear – don’t include any irrelevant information. It’s confusing.
• Reasonable adjustments are seen positively and not as burdensome inconveniences.
• Reasonable adjustments are seen positively and not as burdensome inconveniences.
• A suggestion for reasonable adjustments for some autistic staff only teach the subject they are employed in. This might be a special interest and the employee will flourish if they don’t have to cover other lessons regularly that cause stress/anxiety.
•Engagement and consultation from school leadership of autistic staff in changes that impact the job. Change is hard for anyone, particularly if you are autistic.
• Quiet spaces are critical for both autistic staff and kids.
• Autistic staff can relate and a have unique perspective with empathy to autistic children and young people.
• Autistic staff can relate and a have unique perspective with empathy to autistic children and young people.
• Teacher training courses should have a mentor, with experience and undertstanding, who can support future autistic teachers.
• A reminder that school staff do not need to disclose a diagnosis or self-identification of autism unless they want to.
6. The @educationgovuk and teaching unions should conduct research, engagement and consultation into how autistic staff in the education system can have their needs accommodated and strengthen workers rights.
7. Autistic teachers enjoy various aspects of their job every day – from coffee breaks at a certain time (routine), quiet mornings to plan lessons, bonding with pupils and colleagues and the intellectual challenge of working with gifted pupils, some of whom are on the spectrum.
Everyone has something to contribute positively.
The coffee is non-negotiable at 10:30am though
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The coffee is non-negotiable at 10:30am though
8. Teaching and working in the education system should be seen as a welcoming profession – one that includes the autistic population within society.
9. Hopefully, one day the profession will have visible openly autistic staff who work in the system who feel safe and secure to be themselves at work.
10.This can’t be done without the “support, mutual respect and understanding” of colleagues, line managers, school leadership and all aspects of the system working together to achieve this.
I hope I have articulated well everything I learnt from the webinar. I would like to thank the panelist for their amazing advice and it has given me food for thought. Very informative and useful session on the research into the lived experiences of autistic school staff.
I am very glad I attended and look forward to future discussions on this much-neglected area.
