Hi, I am Curtis Shaddick.

I am a Master of Chemistry with a PGCE in Secondary Science and QTS. Outside of the classroom, I am a fan of fantasy books, a keen hiker, and a homeowner. I have a deep love for travel, geography, and maps. I can identify any flag and capital city in the world, which I now recognise as a very autistic, and very joyful, trait.

I was diagnosed as Autistic in September 2019 during my teacher training. That day felt like a massive "aha" moment. It was a relief that finally explained so much of my life up to that point.

During my eight years as a Science teacher across several Bristol and Somerset secondary and middle schools, the mask gradually came off. All of my colleagues, and most of my students, were actively aware that I was Autistic. I took great pride in being an openly neurodivergent educator, but recently, I have had to leave the job that brought me so much pride and enjoyment.

From Burnout to Advocacy

My departure was due, in part, to autistic burnout. However, this period of recovery has also been a period of intense learning. I have spent time reflecting on:

• What it truly means to be autistic and how to celebrate neurodivergence rather than just "managing" it.

• The vital role of reasonable adjustments within a chaotic professional environment.

• The power of a supportive team in helping a neurodivergent individual to thrive and succeed.

• The importance of the Equality Act (2010) and how to fight for your rights when the system fails to adapt and falls apart around you

Find Your Tribe

One of the absolute highlights of my career was founding the school's neurodiversity lunchtime celebration club. The children themselves named this club "Find Your Tribe." It was designed as a safe environment within the school where they could unmask and be themselves, far away from the sensory chaos of the lunch hall and the yard. Seeing the students thrive in that space confirmed what I have always believed: neurodivergent individuals do not need "fixing"; they need an environment that allows them to function.

The Next Chapter

As part of my recovery, my counsellor, Hayley @ cactuscouncelling encouraged me to start a blog to document my experiences. With the support of Autism Somerset CIC and the Oliver McGowan training team, I have been encouraged to find my voice and teach others about Autism using my lived experience.

So, I am taking a risk to see where this goes. Even if only a handful of people read this, or if I am simply writing to help myself process the journey, I hope there is something here for others to learn from.

So, welcome to the tribe. Let’s find the formula together.