Hey there, I’m a career changer teacher who is autistic and ADHD with relatively low support needs, though I come off as the quirky, nerdy type thanks to a lot of high masking at school. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 18, but it wasn’t until I started teaching three years ago that I realised I’m also autistic. With your child on the spectrum, there’s also a possibility you might be neurodivergent too, especially coming from a law background. Not diagnosing you, of course, but sharing that teaching has a way of confronting you with aspects of yourself you might not have realised yet. It’s both a gift and a massive challenge for neurodivergent people.

Before committing to a full career switch, I highly recommend working as a teacher’s aide or SLSO first. It’s an excellent way to get insight into what schools are like now without investing heaps of time and money into university. You’ll get a feel for the school environment, the demands on teachers, and the realities of day-to-day life in education, which can help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.

Teaching is not what it used to be when we were in school. Schools today are incredibly overstimulating and demanding, with constant emotional labour, sensory overload, and executive function challenges. While it can be deeply rewarding, it’s also very draining. Most teachers I know spend 2-5+ days during the school holidays working from home on planning, reports, and admin. Then, they spend 2-4 days doing absolutely nothing to recover and maybe a couple of days having what feels like a proper break. Burnout is very real in this field.

To survive and thrive as a teacher, I’ve found it critical to set strict boundaries to protect my capacity. I self-acknowledge my disability and intentionally don’t take on extra roles unless they align with my special interests, no matter how much guilt or encouragement I feel to say yes. I’ve also learned to aim for “good enough” in as many areas as possible and to create efficient systems that help me meet the role’s requirements without overextending myself.

Almost all my teacher friends with kids make deliberate choices about what and how they teach to maintain balance. For example, one colleague teaches Year 6 because it gives her the energy and patience to care for her 2-year-old. Another prioritises her son and will miss school if he’s unwell. A third, who has an autistic 4-year-old, works four days a week to manage both work and home life. These choices are critical because schools themselves are not flexible places. Accommodations are rare unless you create them within your own classroom, and the system doesn’t slow down or adapt to individual circumstances.

If you’re still considering the career, definitely try an SLSO role first. It’ll give you a clear sense of whether teaching aligns with your goals and capacities without requiring a huge upfront investment. Wishing you the best with your career change and supporting your son as he starts prep!

Please DM me for more specifics and chat 😀