Zac
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Zac was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was in his 30s, working as a teacher and about to have his first child.
He told the Royal Commission, because of these factors, he decided to apply for an extension to his provisional teaching registration.
Six months after Zac lodged his application he received an email from the teachers’ registration authority. They requested a letter from his medical practitioner to confirm that his ‘impairment’ did not prevent him from carrying out his role as a teacher.
Zac was outraged. After more than five years working as a teacher and over a decade in the defence force, the teachers’ registration authority considered four letters – ADHD – made him unable to do his job.
Zac did some research and found out that the registration authority requires all teachers to inform them of all ‘physical and mental impairments’.
‘This was part of a declaration policy that placed physical and mental impairment and disabilities between a criminal record and substance abuse, as if they were in some way similar,’ he said.
He responded to the email and expressed his feelings. ‘I pointed out the language was disgusting and would not be acceptable in a school if I described one of the students as “impaired”.’
The registration authority responded saying they had a duty of care to student welfare. Zac couldn’t comprehend how his diagnosis suddenly made him a danger to his students.
He submitted letters from his GP and psychiatrist but said, ‘if it wasn't for the fact that the registration is a requirement to teach I would have taken them to court on the principle of the matter’.
When Zac spoke to his colleagues many admitted they do not declare their mental health issues. One person had a similar experience and told Zac ‘the process made her feel like a criminal’.
The school where Zac teaches has been supportive and view his disability as a strength. Undiagnosed ADHD affected every area of Zac’s life and he is determined to talk openly about it with students and staff.
‘I firmly believe awareness and openness are the only ways to normalise mental health and ensure that people get the help they need. If just one person doesn't need to wait 36 years to find out they do not need to hide their oddness I'll take it as a victory.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.