How can I suggest to my special ed teacher I may have AS?

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Ok, so she works with autistic kids. And she is interested in it a lot. And I wonder if she has it. But she's never mentioned she thinks I could have it. She knows I'm very interested in it.
Should I tell her I think I might have it, and try and convince her to look into it? Or is her not saying anything enough to show me I can't have it?

You can try asking her if she thinks you may have it or thinks you have any traits.

I don't think teachers are going to tell their students what they may have, instead they might tell the parents instead so they can take their kid in to get tested. That's what my speech therapist did when I was in 5th grade.

If you're in the USA she can't offer you an opinion about whether you have an ASD or anything else, by law. Only a Dr can diagnose that kind of thing. As a teacher she is restricted from offering that kind of opinion, though she may think it. Once you're diagnosed she can talk to you about what the diagnosis means and offer you suggestions about how to handle it. I'll share that kind of opinion with a close friend, if they are open and interested in it, but never with a student.

Oh, VERY important. Thank you for saying that. Well, I don't think that rule applies here. Should I bring it up and tell her that, and ask her?

If that rule doesn't apply for you, then I say absolutely bring it up. She may be dying to tell you what she thinks but isn't sure how you'll take it. She may also be so used to ASDs that she isn't noticing your symptoms as much as she might. Normally I can pick out an Aspie a mile away, but I totally didn't see it in my middle son who is extremely obviously a "high functioning" Aspie. Once the Psych. brought it up, it was so obvious I felt silly for not having thought about it. Well, DUH, he's a shark obsessed, tiptoe-walking, mildly lisping, socially withdrawn Aspie with great grades.

Ok, I will. Wish me good luck! I would LOVE to get a diagnosis. Then I can join you guys (WP) officially, and find out how I fit in this world.
I suppose I'd be easy to pass up. I actually can pull off pretty good social skills. I've got the female acting down.
It's funny because she seems really open with me. There was definitely a click, and not a trace of awkwardness between us.

That's cool. She could be like me. I'm not exactly NT but I'm not in the spectrum either. I fit in really well with friendly-Aspies (as opposed as the ones that truly hate to be with people, which just frustrates me because I really LIKE nearly everybody even if I don't like the things they do sometimes). I'm friendly and outgoing and enjoy being with quirky people. I never fit in with the popular kids in school but have always had smart and interesting friends. I see the social stuff, I just don't like the petty side of it. I'd rather be with awkward but honest people, than play political social games. Or she could be in the spectrum herself. Now I'm raising two Aspies and a ???, who's definitely not NT, but nobody knows exactly what he is. He's really awsome.

Special ed teachers are pretty good at spotting autism. Mine did but my parents would not let them test me for it. They thought if I was diagnosed as having autism I would be labeled as insane or as inferior. They were afraid it would keep me from going to college or the military due to an established mental illness. This was the 70's no one outside of the psychology or special education professions really knew what it was. My parents would not let me take medication for my ad-hd because they said the other students would think I was mentaly ill which would have led me to be picked on even more.

My suggestion is beg your teacher if you have too get tested. It will cost you a fortune when you are out of school and on your own.

Last edited by Todesking on 06 May 2010, 10:10 am, edited 3 times in total.

So this is it. No wonder no one's ever told me directly about my AS until I've suggested it. And even then, they tried to be as indirect about agreeing with me as possible. Stupid laws...

That's what I would like. I just hope my stupid school can get me tested for cheaper.

well let us know how it turns out

I will! I need to work up the nerve to ask her. Should I maybe ask initially on facebook? It's easier.

Yeah, that's a good idea. Although I'm surprised that your teacher has you on Facebook. The teachers at my school refuse to add their students on Facebook.

Our school is very small. Everyone's friends with everyone on facebook. And appropriate touching is allowed, too. This one boy had the art teacher in a playful headlock, and they were restling.

That sounds fun!

Please ask her soon. We are all dying to know what she says.