Wow, some of my teachers are really insensitive.

[lightningandsnow]

I have an anxiety disorder (GAD), and a bunch of them don't seem to understand it, much less care.

Last week, I was horribly stressed (I'm talking crying-breakdown stressed), and had a presentation to do. There were two possible dates, and I orginally had (voluntarily) signed up on the first. I asked my World Issues teacher if he could possibly move it to the second date, and he said:

"You're a genius. Geniuses can cope with stress."

I went to my history teacher today because I have been horribly overloaded with homework for the last 3 weeks (4-ish hours a night. I also have a learning disability so this stuff takes me longer), if there was anything he could do or any adivce he could give me with regards to an assignment that I yes, should have started earlier, but am totally and completely freaking out about.

I then mentioned that I have GAD and it's made it difficult for me to do things lately, and he told me that the only reason I have anxiety is because I'm irresponsible and don't start things soon enough.

[Haole Girl]

1. Document these comments... times/dates/names

Let your parents know... also consider going to the principal of your school.

There is no reason for teachers to be saying crap like that. :hug:

[no name no slogan]

2. Depending on the law, it may also be illegal

In the US, there's the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which can protect you if you have certain disabilities (including learning disabilities and also anxiety disorders, if diagnosed). Your employer or school is required by law to make "reasonable accommodation" so that you can perform your job or task.

I'm not sure about the laws in Canada, but I believe the also provide some sort of protection under the law for people with disabilities. You may want to look into it.

[elleng]

26. or treating you that way.

Demand, in some way, that the school take your (and others') disabilities into account EVERY DAY!

Force this on the school district.

I know this is a difficult task, and probably more than you should have to address, but you and yours should make as much of this as you can, for yourself and others.

(((Haole)))

[siligut]

3. All I can say is arrogant assholes!

Deep breaths, keep moving forward, even if it is baby steps. Remember, they are just people who stayed in school long enough to get degrees in an area where they couldn’t work so they ended up teaching.

Not disparaging all teachers by any means, but neither would anyone here treat someone with a known disability like these guys did.

[Midlodemocrat]

4. Ripping new assholes into arrogant teachers is a specialty of mine.

Let me know and I'll send you an email that will curl their fucking toe hairs.

[sasquatch]

5. .

:popcorn:

[RadiationTherapy]

7. Yeah. That ALWAYS works.

good idea.

[Bucky]

9. Silly child

People who run around looking for someone to punish are rarely helpful in the long run. Maybe you find some kind of personal gratification in intimidating people, but it's not a flattering quality and it's not very likely to solve the problem--even assuming that these are the sorts of spineless flutterbug types of teachers who could get intimidated by an email.

But nice try. If you really want to play anonymous avenger, may I suggest putting on a mask and learning to fly.

[Midlodemocrat]

22. HAHAHA.

:eyes:

Been there, done that, dude. Anyone who would be unkind to a child about a disability is a fucking coward and quakes in their fucking shoes when confronted.

[lightningandsnow]

24. Thanks, but no thanks.

You're lovely, but I doubt it would do me much good. :hug:

[RadiationTherapy]

6. Do you have a medical note on file at the Uni?

School is often about forcing people to face and overcome (or succumb to) their anxieties and stress. Without documentation, I would not expect any exceptions or help.


I would be completely "insensitive" to the way you have described your situation without a proper diagnosis and proof of your condition.

[Bucky]

8. As a teacher, let me say something here

If a teacher actually said you have an anxiety attack because 'you're irresponsible and you don't start things soon enough' in so few words, then that teacher needs to learn what disabilities are. It's not surprising that a teacher didn't know these, teachers have a whole lot of different things to learn about.

You'd actually be doing this teacher a favor if you let you resource teacher or a counselor at school know that you aren't getting "reasonable accomodations" for the work you've been assigned and see if they can help your instructors find ways to get you the learning your parents are paying them for.

[Haole Girl]

12. My curiosity is killing me...

what subject(s) and grade do you teach?

[Bucky]

14. Right now...

10th grade world history. It changes from time to time--afterschool classes in Economics and Government are not uncommon. I actually prefer 11th graders, but after you've taught world, US history seems kind of boring.

[Haole Girl]

15. High School... that's tough

Thanks for the reply. :hi:

[Deep13]

10. I feel for you, but that's pretty typical. EDIT

Are we talking high school or college here? Yeah, your HS teachers really ought to know better. Still, considering the divots and deadwood I saw "teaching" in HS, I'm still not surprised.

[lightningandsnow]

11. Yup, high school.

Only 5 months until I'm done high school forever!

[Danger Mouse]

13. School administrators are typically arrogant assholes who don't give a shit.

Best of luck to you...don't let them push you around. :hug:

[tigereye]

16. I agree with Bucky down below -

Someone who understands how anxiety works and how it affects students and learning needs to give your teacher some tips to help you and make necessary accommodations.

[struggle4progress]

17. As a former teacher, let me suggest:

(1) Teachers hear this stuff all the time: sometimes it's true, and sometimes it's student game-playing, and sometimes it's a mix

(2) If you have a diagnosed anxiety disorder, the first thing to do is to document it for the administration and teachers, and try to work out what reasonable accommodation is possible: most teachers will happily work with you, according to some clear and needed plan

(3) Make sure you're doing your best. In my experience, students with disabilities show the same range of behaviors and personalities that other students do: some are self-satisfied twits and some are really great kids

One of the best students I ever had was a student who really had a serious anxiety problem and who came into my office every day for the first two weeks of school and regularly screamed at me that I didn't give a damn about her or her learning problems -- and then one day, she suddenly understood something I said, understood why I wasn't being more helpful, calmed down, and began working productively: she aced that class, too, and I remember her fondly. Did I like being screamed at? No, I hated it. What did I do? I asked her very specific questions about her recent reading and understanding. When she lost her temper, I told her that I could not learn the subject for her, that she had to learn it herself, and that if it caused her anxiety she should regard the subject as an opportunity to gradually increase her tolerance for frustration -- and then went back to asking her questions about her reading and understanding. Did it work? Sure did -- but for two weeks she thought I was a heartless monster

[femmocrat]

18. Another teacher here....

Is it in your I.E.P.? If not, the teachers probably don't know about it. HS teachers see many, many students and probably do not remember everyone's learning requirements.

If it is, then they are required by law to accommodate your special needs. It might be time for a parent-teacher conference with your guidance counselor and Special Education administrator in attendance.

And just possibly, the teachers are trying to get you to take more responsibility and give you a wake-up call as you are headed for college in a few months. The pressures will be greater there and you will be completely on your own. Their versions of the above occurrences could be quite different from yours.

[lightningandsnow]

19. It's not in my IEP.

I don't even think I have an IEP anymore. I had one at some point (I'm "gifted"), but it was bloody useless anyway.

But yeah, you're right. I know I need to take responsibility, but things can get really overwhelming.

[Radical Activist]

21. In the first year of college

most of the classes won't be very hard. And you won't have eight teachers who all think they have to be hard asses to toughen you up for college. And you most certainly won't be on your own.

[montanto]

30. Your teachers are overwhelmed too.

If a student comes in with a bruise the teacher has to find out where it came from and why, and write it up. If a student says "I'm hungry" the teacher has to find out when they last ate and why they don't have food and write it up. If a student says "I feel like jumping out the window" the teacher needs to find out why the student is suicidal, write it up, and follow with the counseling department. Same if a student threatens another person, even obliquely ("I'm gonna kill my math teacher for giving a pop quiz the day I was absent"). If a student says "Johnny touched my butt" the teacher has to write it up. If a student has a phone the teacher has to confiscate it (and be responsible if it gets lost / stolen after that) and write it up. If a student has an iPod, same, a skateboard, same. The teacher has to police appropriate attire: If a girl's blouse is too low cut, report and write up, if a boys pants are too baggy, report and write up. If a guy calls his friend "gay" the teacher has to counsel and write it up. For the teacher's own students as well as those passing by in the hall. If a student is late for class the teacher has to find out why and document. If a student fails a class the teacher has to find out why and document. If a student is absent more than a few days the teacher has to find out why. If the student comes in and says "I can't present today because I'm stressed out" the teacher needs to find out whether there is a legitimate, diagnosed medical condition preventing said student from completing the assignment or whether the student is merely unprepared (by far the more likely possibility). And on, and on. Then the teacher has to teach the overcrowded, under motivated class, reaching all students of all need levels under all circumstances every time without fail.

I've served nearly 2000 students in 12 years in overcrowded classrooms, under-supported or unsupported by administration, paid for seven hours of work while routinely doing 14. I've always been happy to be helpful, but I've heard hundreds of stories and very few actual reasons for student behavior. Teachers not being psychic, the burden of proof of special needs lies upon the student, the parent, and the administration. If the teacher seems unsympathetic it may be that the teacher has not been advised by one or more of the responsible parties that there is a special need, and suspects that the student is making an excuse. Or it could be that the teacher is overwhelmed with being parent, counselor, cop, and teacher.

[Midlodemocrat]

23. Even if it is, most teachers don't read either IEPs or 504s.

And those that don't read them, certainly don't comply with them. Ugly fact, but a true one nonetheless.

[Inchworm]

20. Try to ride out the next 5 months?

Don't listen to me like I know what I'm saying hehe, but...

Try to ride out the next 5 months of HS, but when you get to picking colleges (if you haven't already) keep a keen eye on the campus's Disability Services. You want a good feeling there. If the college sucks in that dept., you don't want to see it from the inside.

:hi:

[Jamastiene]

25. You could so sue them under the ADA.

They are supposed to make "reasonable accommodations."

[Chan790]

28. Canadian...

different laws. Probably better laws, but I don't know that for certain.

[montanto]

29. They need to be aware that they need to make those accommodations first.

I doubt litigation is the best first move.

[BreweryYardRat]

27. Change classes.

I had an asshole teacher like that -- oddly, also in my last semester of high school. I eventually said "hell with it" and switched into a different (non-honors) class. I was a damn sight happier -- and since the asshole was also incompetent, I even learned something by taking the non-honors class.

And get a clinical diagnosis of your GAD. That'll make it easier to talk some sense into teachers/administration. And clinical diagnosis is a MUST for dealing with a university's student disability services.

[Cabcere]

31. WTF

"Geniuses can cope with stress," my ass. :hug: It's been my experience that many highly intelligent people have trouble coping with stress, even when they don't have anxiety disorders. :pals: I'm sorry your teacher was insensitive, and I hope things work out OK for you. Peace.