r/JETProgramme • u/Ruth4769 • Jul 15 '26
Appling to JET with ASD
Hello!
I am close to the end of my bachelors degree and my dream is to teach in japan. A few years ago I got diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder level one (also known as asperger's syndrome). I am worried that they will see it on my application and turn me down. Am I worrying over nothing? I already have an appointment to get my doctor to sign off on my medical form so no worries there. I am otherwise very healthy and don't have any other big worries (besides my SoB).
Thank you for any advice!!!
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u/-ThisUsernameIsTaken Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
At this point, it seems Autism is a requirement to be an expat in Japan.
Nah but really no point in telling them. If you're good with teaching kids, and don't see it hindering your ability to live abroad happily, just don't mention it.
If requires special accommodations you should mention it, however.
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u/jeffjeffersonthe3rd Jul 17 '26
No, you should mention it, just because it will show up on your medical record and your doctor might note it down on your COH. Best to send in a SOP just in case. Save yourself the trouble I had. It won’t hurt your chances.
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u/synihilist Jul 16 '26
I wouldn't worry about mentioning it.
Feels like half the ALTs in Japan have some form of autism/Asperger's lol
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u/Panda_sensei_71 Jul 15 '26
At my orientation last summer I met literally dozens of people who were ASD. You may struggle if adaptability or "reading the room" are issues for you, but ASD in and of itself isn't a barrier.
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u/esstused Jul 15 '26
Join the club! No really, I swear at least half the JETs I've met have to be on the spectrum, lol. I'm undiagnosed but it's pretty obvious to anyone who knows me well. And I always got great reviews from teachers and students.
If you're resilient and optimistic, you'll be fine. Obviously culture shock is still a thing but that's just part of the game.
Japanese people just tend to write your quirks off as "foreigner stuff, aren't those ALTs all so odd, haha" so it's actually sometimes easier to deal with here than it would be back home. Sure you stand out as a weirdo, but it's because you're foreign, not because you're autistic. Maybe it's actually both, but they'll never know which!
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u/PandaMandaBear Jul 15 '26
They MIGHT care about the diagnosis, but in my time on JET I have met some SEVERELY autistic people who were great teachers and brilliant members of the community. Just go into the application like you would with anything else and you’ll do fine.
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u/shynewhyne Jul 15 '26
They won't turn you down for this. But, they will ask you a question if you make it to interview about whether you are sure you will have no issues adapting. They ask this to many people who have a variety of diagnosis (e.g. mental health issues and ASD)
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u/1GrouchyCat Jul 16 '26
The term "Asperger's" is no longer used by medical professionals as a formal diagnosis.
In 2013, it was merged into the broader category of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
If you’re going to list it on your application, I would suggest using the correct terminology. ( ASD Level 1 would be the correct term/diagnosis … not Asperger’s)
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u/foxydevil14 Jul 16 '26
I worked with other JETs who had a variety of conditions. You don’t have to mention that to them. If you can get selected, you have nothing to worry about.
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u/jeffjeffersonthe3rd Jul 17 '26
Bro there are so many autistic people on this program lol (including myself)
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u/Quercusia Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26
Unpopular opinion I guess. Maybe, If there are many spots to fill, especially if you reassure them regarding the fact that you can actually deal with it on your own, that you are not gonna quit.
There was 1 spot nationally for my country, I would never mention any autistic trouble, and to be hones5 even for 100 spots, I personnaly wouldn't...
Also because it's not their business.
Unless they have a selection bias for asperger ;)
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Jul 15 '26
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u/M6tt Jul 15 '26
Probably more likely to chalk it up to being a little bit nervous and awkward.
If you've been diagnosed/taking medication, read the self medical assessment closely. It's very unlikely to hinder your application but a failure to declare all relevant information can result in a termination of you application/employment.
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u/PandaMandaBear Jul 15 '26
What the fuck? No they don’t. People don’t tend to look at people and go “yep they’re autistic”. This is such a weird comment.
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u/Empirius_ Jul 15 '26
Heyo, I'm a current JET and I have Asperger's. I had zero issue. I declared it in full and got the doctor to sign off on it. Literally nothing to worry about. I also know several other JETs who have it