Stress issues

(Sarah) #21

I have been there, done that! It wasn’t pretty! Still have plenty to learn about balance in all things. Thank you for sharing your story and tips!
One day at a time has been my “go to” phrase right now!

(Robin) #22

Hello. Hats off to you! I retired from education but still have friends in various stages on offline teaching. What a challenge. I was struck by your description of teaching a tech heavy course to teenagers on the spectrum. As the mother of an adult autistic son, I am curious about your course. Was it designed specifically for these individuals? Actually, too many questions to write here. I am just interested in anything you would like to share about your class and students and philosophy, challenges, rewards, etc… And hey, no pressure. I totally understand if you ignore this. It wasn’t the point of your post!

#23

Hi Robin. I teach in a Bachelor of Design major which is animation and games design. My training is in biological sciences and clinical treatment of diseases, but I did some further learning in visual story telling and film making because I was interested and had parents who were keen that we mixed art and science, so find myself teaching in the faculty of Humanities these days.

You probably understand straight away why I have many ASD students, now I have mentioned the course. The course is not specifically designed for ASD students, it is attractive for them (or their parents) due to many, I think (an observation), having a in-front-of-screen upbringing. Over a decade ago I was given notes and plans from student counsellors that I read but never had time to implement for every individual when there are 20 other students in the tutorial or lab group. But I was interested in these young people, so I just took it gently and answered their questions and respected their capacities and space. But because I am interested I went to them rather than ignored them. It was mostly instinctive. I was raised in a family with a differently abled younger sibling. That upbringing and creative understanding of differences and talents serves me well these days. There are still directives from student support officers and sometimes from parents. But I see these young people develop into who they are despite a lot of the help. Social awareness is increasing and the digital technological world seems a good fit for many of the ASD students I meet.

I learnt that my ASD students did not cope well with the change from studio environment to online teaching. They preferred the classroom. I think it was the sudden change and then another change back that was too disruptive. Rather than a preference for face-to-face teaching.

(Alex ) #24

For me, good pre cursor to managing life stress has always been organising a consistent structure of my day, and incorporating exercise to keep my usual nervous energy / anxiety at bay. Unfortunately, stressy people are more inclined to crash and burn and return to bad habits as crux, this is me, but if I dial enough pre-empting in to the front end of life, I seem to be ok.

Take a bath, get good sleep, organise your day, prioritise some exercise.

(Robin) #25

Thanks for the info. I have often “joked” that autism may be a shift in human evolution, to prepare us for a tech-heavy world with less actual contact. My son gained a lot of independence once he was able to make appointments online, etc. He’s waiting for electric cars, like a kid who can hear the ice cream truck’s siren song in the neighborhood.

I recently watched a documentary on the tech businesses who now seek out people on the spectrum because they can sit for hours in front of a screen, staying totally on task. So… a new door is opening for them. Not only a new door, but perhaps a pass to the front of the line! Now, THAT would be a just reward!

(Sarah) #26

Thank you Alex! [quote=“Alex_PN, post:24, topic:104380”]
prioritise some exercise
[/quote]
This is my downfall…carving out time to do something active in a 10-12 hour work day. I’ve gotten some things here and there but nothing consistent. Hubby and I have committed to hiking each weekend even though I’m working then too. Two out two weekend have happened!

On the other hand, I completely caved today! It was a very rough day and I was so irritable and frustrated and decided to walk off some frustration in between class by going to the office. Someone had stuck some Twix in my box and I ate 3 of them (minis). I’ve been so good at resisting (so much candy at work!) and just completely caved today. I haven’t been testing my blood sugar lately, but I did today and wooooooahhh…not good. I will get over this and get back on track, but I just didn’t care and was so tired of everything and gave up. The reaction from the sugar ultimately wasn’t worth it, but it is discouraging that things felt that rough and I used sugar to cope.

All that said…
Some work routines are getting easier and students will be returning gradually starting the 9th. This will be a whole new adjustment but I will only have 1 period where I will be at a desk versus all 5. I’m looking forward to that despite the challenges of teaching in person and virtual.

Whew…thanks for so many wonderful words of advice, folks! No one is immune to this situation right now and I have to focus on what is going well even if I slip up.