How do I tell them?

Meg · Post by **Meg** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:16 pm

Recently I started a new placement and haven't yet told them I have Dyspraxia, theres someone that works at the school who taught my sister years ago in a different primary school and she helped my mum find a brilliant Learning support assistant for me in Seconday school so knows I'm Dyspraxic, but I don't know if The teacher has been told that i['m Dyspraxic or not so I could go in tomorrow or Friday and say Do you know/ Have you been told that I have Dyspraxia, but i dodn't know how to start the conversation. Shes a lovely person and really sweet. Now when I went for an interview for my job in a day nursery in the interview I told the manager that I ahd Dyspraxia, when I went back to do my placement there and my tutor visted me I'm sure I heard her say something like "Do you know or Has Megan told you that she is/has Dyspraxia?" Then the manager said "She used to work here." Now shes coming to visit me in a couple of weeks and my tutor could turn round ot the teacherand say "Do you know/has Megan told you she is/has Dyspraxia?" and if I haven't told the class teacher then it might look silly. So basically the question is How do I tell the teacher i'm working with?

Sorry if this doesn't make sense.

Luv Meg
Xxxx

Post by **Pooky** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:34 pm

Simple question, do you think it is going to effect your ability to do your placement? If yes, then mention it. If no, then don't worry about it and concentrate on enjoying yourself.

Meg · Post by **Meg** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:39 pm

I don't think it will but knowing my tutor she could turn round and say "Megan has Dyspraxia did you know or something and plus if i did tell the class teacher then she will be more aware and understand a lot better.

Luv Meg
Xxxx

Post by **Shadwell** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:37 am

there are two things to remember Meg, the Disability Discrimination Act mens, that you don't have to tell anyone when applying for the job.

basically means if you haven't told anyone, then it is your choice, you don't have to tell anyone until you feel comfortable about it.

and as long as they don't expect you to do something you really aren't comfortable with like acrobatics! then, they never need know.

but on the other hand then if it comes down to you saying no to doing something, because you aren't physically able to, then you will have to speak out.

otherwise you can work 20 - 30 years, and no-one needs to know what problems you have.

I would possibly suggest not thinking about when, unless a really good time comes up.

like for example, you might see or help a kid with a disability, and bring that up in conversation in a good way, then ask how they would feel working along side someone like that?

test the water before jumping full in so to say!!

Ruth · Post by **Ruth** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:57 am

It is private information and your placement teacher doesn't HAVE to know. you could ask your tutor not to mention it.

I was extreemly nervous about mentioning it at my current job and then round the coffee urn the boss boss said he was so I just said me too. Makes life easier because I don't have to try and remember not to say anything about it and it's not an issue at all.

good luck with what ever you decide to do, but try not to worry too much.

lol

robyn · Post by **robyn** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:35 pm

I told my current employers at the interview that i had dyspraxia and disgraphia, I also had to tell my line manager again when my adhd was confirm cause that would mean taking controlled meds in with me. The important thing is to tell them if you think dyspraxia may cause a problem for you, then also say how this can be remedied. Also stating the positives is also benificial. Althoguh I dont have a prob telling people I generally dont cause then I have to educate everyone bout it, so if it comes up in conversation I'll say that I have these nd conditions, but otherwise I dont bother. You should only tell them if its what you want to do, and if you do want to just come out and say it is the easiest way, then if your teacher has questions you can answer what evers relevant.

Meg · Post by **Meg** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:02 pm

Thank you for all your help. When I take my pack in tomorrow I could bring it up then.

Luv Meg
Xxxx

Post by **Shadwell** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:30 pm

how did it go then meg?
was it a bit easier bringing up the subject?
did they respond good, or bad to it?
didn't you bring up the subject?
or was it like talking to a

?

Mike

Meg · Post by **Meg** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:49 pm

I chickened out. Am going to tell them Monday though! Thats the next time I have placement.

Luv Meg
Xxxx

ClearCarbon · Post by **ClearCarbon** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 2:51 am

With my dyslexia I've found its a total non issue (this is in the IT industry though), I'll bring it up if there's a link to it in a conversation or it helps explain my actions but otherwise I don't see the need to go around telling everyone.

ps. the only times I've had a negative reaction is when I'm saying I find something difficult because I am dyslexic and people say "that's not an excuse", I'm not trying to make an excuse it just is, doesn't mean I stop trying. I've also gotten a negative reaction from having extra time in exams as some students see it as a competition and if I can't compete in an exam I wouldn't be able to compete in the same real life situation. Ain't come up with a counter to the last one yet.

Post by **Shadwell** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:01 pm

ClearCarbon, the main difference is there has been a major hype for years about dyslexia, but there hasn't been even a 100th of the hype done about dyspraxia.

so it is a case of still teaching the nhs about our condition! let alone the outside world that aren't professionals.

but yeah, anything bad you say will go against you, even though the government has brought in the disability rights.

thats why I said to Meg, the best way to bring it up is in a positive way.

ClearCarbon · Post by **ClearCarbon** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:14 pm

sorry forgot to mention I usually tell people I'm dyspraxic at the same time, but I agree with you co-ordination problems don't really matter to the IT industry, most people seem to accept that your telling the truth especially when I spill cups of tea all over my lap and the floor, and accept the time taken to clean it up, cost of broken keyboards etc. If people are prejustice against me, which I've had a few times, then I tend to feel its their problem and go on about my life.

helenahelen · Post by **helenahelen** » Mon May 21, 2007 8:46 pm

"most people seem to accept that your telling the truth especially when I spill cups of tea ... broken keyboards etc"

So glad to hear I'm not alone, there. I've just wrecked my first keyboard in my latest job... though it was coffee I spilt, not tea!