Are you open to friends about your Autism?

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I never usually tell anyone.

I can't really because there's been so much controversy surrounding my initial dx and some of the professionals weren't even sure that they got it right the first time. A mistake could have been made.

With me there's been a definite push to try and get rid of the dx so that I wouldn't be excluded from opportunities or studying.

I've been told to deny that I've been suspected of "having" AS if it's ever mentioned.
I've also been told by my family that AS dxs are a way for schools to make money out of perfectly normal children and that mild AS "doesn't exist" or "isn't helpful" to dwell on.

Needless to say, prior to visiting this site, I've been in a lot of unfortunate rows with close friends/colleagues because they did know AS people. Ignorant of my past, they have a frightened and confused attitude towards AS.

The only time I've ever mentioned it is when I've been under extreme social/environmental stress.
People were surprised and very skeptical. They thought that I was doing myself a disfavour by "labeling" myself and that it wouldn't help me.

Last edited by AmberEyes on 02 Mar 2009, 2:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I'm rather my friends know I've got AS than think I'm just plain ret*d. And also, it was funny to see my friends face after months of boasting that he will be getting disability allowance and I wont. (he's dyslexic)

IMO it's best to tell people who you know well. That way they'll think;

Prosser has autism?

rather than,

Prosser is Autistic

Really what I mean is if you tell someone who has yet to form an opinion of you they'll just think of you and everything about you as Autism (or psychologically f**ked up). If you tell someone with a low opinion of you, they'll just use it against you. If you tell a friend (a good friend that is) they're more likely to think about it as being unique. Erm... if that makes any sense

I have no issues or hesitation in telling anyone; what I find is that only those who have an autistic child or other family member have the vaguest clue what autism is. The rest couldn't give a rat's @ss because I appear normal on every visible level, therefore they can't wrap their heads around the idea that there are some things I simply cannot do.

I am currently in litigation with an educational institution over two owners/instructors' numerous violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act, because after completing the entire course, they refused to graduate me because of my lack of high-pressure sales skills (the course has nothing to do with sales, but my being a good salesman would have benefited their bottom line). These two were aware from day one that I had a disability and that that disability was a form of autism (they were receiving thousands of dollars of tuition funding from a state org. that supports those with disabilities), but were too mentally lazy themselves to even attempt to understand what that meant, much less make even the slightest accommodation or even acknowledgment that certain situations might be a touch more difficult for me than for other students. So telling people doesn't seem to make any positive difference. Having an attorney familiar with the ADA does.

I usually tell some of my friends. Once in science we talked about autism when talking about the MMR injection, I felt weird when they talked about it. I got annoyed when classmates seemed to be laughing about autism, but I didn't go and tell them I was autistic. I like to keep it a secret although at the same time I want everybody to know.

To be honest there's never really an appropriate time to bring this subject up in conversation - so no.

I don't really consider NLD to be considered autistic, so I've never run into that problem. However, if I did, I probably wouldn't say anything anyway, so no one would get the wrong impression of me. I actually pass off as very normal about 90-95% of the time. I'm outgoing, I have a great fashion sense, and I'm a friendly person in general.

I only tell those who are worthy.

Worst. Idea. Ever.

I don't hesitate to tell my AS and OCD diagnoses to anyone. If we talk about them in class, I'll volunteer my opinion. I really couldn't care less who knows. People are going to think I'm "weird" no matter what, so why not just tell them that I have a legitimate reason for my "weirdness"? Plus, I get angered when stereotypes of ASDs and OCD come up in class, so I feel that it's my obligation to set the public straight about how the conditions really present themselves and what it's like to live with them.
-OddDuckNash99-

I don't tell just anyone I have autism, but if I get to know someone really well and trust them, then I'll tell them.

There never is, so people are always "kept in the dark" about it.
My family said that I should never mention my problems to anyone for the sake of politeness: they don't want me to ruin other people's days.

"People don't want to hear about your problems."

Actually they're right.
People are seem to be much happier being under the illusion that you're "doing alright" when the truth is that you're silently hurting because you can't bring the painful topic up for fear of recrimination or offending someone.

When I trust people enough I tell them.

I only tell the people that I can trust. I don't just tell anybody. The people that I don't trust might support Autism Speaks and Jenny McCarthy. I'd love to sue them both.

I do not advertise the fact but if they asked me I would not hesitate to tell them, but if they asked me if I was schizophrenic I would not hesitate to deny it.

I prefer people around me knowing, especially if they have a reason to. And if someone asks what autism is, I give the shortest explanation possible, it's like I am permanently 8, and depending on time, I might explain it further.