Lecturers on the autism spectrum.

[Steel Maiden]

I doubt I'd ever be a lecturer tbh but I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced, or knows, or has seen, any lecturers on the autism spectrum? Just wondering how they cope and perform.

[talaiporia]

I studied Maths so it's fair to say that some or many of the lecturers would have been on the autistic spectrum, as it's more prevelant amongst higher-level mathematicians.

Nonetheless, it was only very noticeable (severe) with one lecturer, and he was a pretty rubbish lecturer - he could not communicate concepts and was not able to answer questions when asked directly (so students would need to visit other lecturers if they had questions, which was a longstanding agreement in the department). He could not cope as a lecturer, and though I'm aware he now mostly teaches postgraduates.

I would say overall it very much depends on severity of the condition, like many things.

[Iamcatbug]

One of my lecturers was on the autism spectrum, he was very upfront about it.

In complete contrast to Sophia's experience though, our lecturer was pretty easy to communicate with. The only time he struggled was if you put him in the spot with questions in seminars or meetings.

So like Sophia said, it does seem to depend on the severity rather than the condition itself.

[Pi.R^2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by talaiporia

Nonetheless, it was only very noticeable (severe) with one lecturer, and he was a pretty rubbish lecturer - he could not communicate concepts and was not able to answer questions when asked directly (so students would need to visit other lecturers if they had questions, which was a longstanding agreement in the department). He could not cope as a lecturer, and though I'm aware he now mostly teaches postgraduates.

Sophia beat me to it! I also had this lecturer for one module (though maybe you had him for another module too Sophia?) and he did seem to struggle a lot when it came to questions, though other than that I found him OK. I think he was supported by another lecturer in the module so instead of running it entirely himself, another lecturer did some of the lectures and stuff. I don't think he did a particularly bad job, what I felt was more noticeable was how uncomfortable he seemed to be, particularly when it came to answering questions or any kind of interaction with students outside of just standing at the front and lecturing. I know you are thinking about lecturing Oly, so maybe think about whether or not you think you would enjoy the aspects of the role that involve students asking questions and running tutorials, as well as managing low-level disruption whilst lecturing.

[Steel Maiden]

Thanks.

I would be a s*** lecturer. I can describe things well but I don't do well with people in real life in general.

I was just wondering to see it if works for some.