Do you tell people you have ASD?

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I dont tell it people that I dont know. simple really.

I just had a strange thing happen that hasn't ever happened before. Maybe it's no all that strange, but it's still he first time it has happened to me.

I was talking to a friend from a Catholic young adult group that I'm a part of, and we were talking about theraputic riding and service animals. Autism came up in the conversation and I mentioned that I have autism when I was explaining about autism service dogs, and she said, "Oh, I'm sorry." I've never had any one apologize before. I told her that there was no need to apologize and that there was nothing to feel sorry about. We went back to talking about service dogs and she was a little reserved and less animated for a couple of minutes and was back to normal. It was just really weird and I didn't quite know how to respond.

EDIT: "ever" is not spelled e-v-e

So far, the only people that know are my parents and my tutor. I don't tell anyone else like my friends because I know that my secret will spread and I will be discriminated against or ostracized. I don't want to be thought as the same person who stalks other girls or the one who had a breakdown and destroyed class property just because of my disorder. I also don't want the people I know to turn on me or feel pity on me constantly. Another fact is that I know that all the teachers and friends I have now will be mostly out of my life in a few years so there is no point of telling them information that can be used against me.

I only tell people that I know and trust. So far, the only people who knows about my AS are my family, my friends, my fiancé, his family, my supervisor, and some of my coworkers. Otherwise, I haven't told anyone else (especially strangers) for fear of being judged.

tell who?

I've had a different experience than most here......

Years and years ago, I was first diagnosed with ADHD, and I told ALL of my family and friends----cuz I was like: "Isn't this great----now I know----this explains so much....."-----BUT, it's one of the reasons I lost ALL of my family and friends. I have had a WAAAAAY better experience sharing with strangers----maybe because I don't give a crap what THEY think-----but, I'm selective, too.

I've never told anyone. Mostly because I'm undiagnosed, and what if I'm wrong, and I don't have an ASD? (However small that chance may be, but there is still a small chance).
Even if/when I'm diagnosed, I still don't think I'd tell anyone, especially not my mother, because the whole East coast of Canada would know within a week if I told her. Also because I'm worried that people will treat me differently. Most people, unless they have experience with people with Autism/ASDs, don't understand what it is, and think that it's the same as mental retardation. I'm worried that if I told people, they would treat me like I'm stupid.
The only people I would tell are my teachers in college, because I think accomodations like being able to take tests in a separate room by myself, and sometimes having longer to finish homework or assignments would really help. I'd also be able to explain to them that I need to be told exactly what they expect of me, and they can't expect me to read their mind and be able to know what they expect of me without them telling me. (I hate it when teachers do that).

family knew i was weird, no one really knew about ASD though, but over time i learned i can hide it by following a script, rules and skills i taught myself. so now, people can barely tell, 4 years ago it was a completely different story, because i wasnt diagnosed, i didnt know i was doing anything wrong, so it was more obvious.

I have it posted on the back of my maxi scooter in the form of a decal that says " Aspie" I am proud of what I am, nothing to be ashamed of in my opinion. I have an autism awareness ribbon but its magnetic and my trunk door is fiberglass. I need to find my double sided tape to stick it on. I also have the same decal on the rear window of my minivan. Mike

No. The only people who know of my diagnosis are my family, my bosses and my best friend. But people have no idea what AS (at least, in my experiences) and have formed prejudice opinions (except my family and my best friend, who basically said along the lines of "You're still you, we don't care what diagnosis you get" and simply wanted to learn more about it), such as what I can and cannot do. I've even been told that one of the bosses is afraid of me because they're "not sure what I'm capable of". So no, I'd rather just get to know someone before I tell them.

When I first was diagnosed I worried about this issue. Found out there was no nothing to to worry about. My support groups and Vocational Rehab and you guys know because that is the whole point. My family knows but outside of that I don't come in contact with people long enough. I would not add "I am autistic" to a small talk type of conversation which is what I am limited to these days. Hypothetically it would be just like my colitis or sexual interests on a need to know basis. I told people about my colitis when they asked why I always order food plain or dry. If a person asked "are you autistic?" I don't think I could deny it.

I dread the having the I have been diagnosed with a Autism Spectrum Condition that used to be called Aspergers but it is not an official diagnosis anymore conversation. If I do not disclose the Aspergers part what is the point of disclosing at all. f**k you DSM 5

A few friends have been told, and, of course, the whole social system, since it went through my doctor. I don´t seem, nor feel autistic at all, just a little "artistic".
I would hesitate to tell an employer, but more emphasize, what I´m best at, like focusing, details, precision....... stuff like that.

I'm willing to tell people, but not sure how to bring it up. My family and some close friends know of course. With other people I only talk about my autistic kids, sometimes I'd mention "Ya I'm not so good at doing XXXX either." when talking about my sons. I think they probably have some idea but not too sure.

Not unless I know them very well, otherwise it's none of their business. I already come across as an oddball, but generally I'm accepted as being a bit different and that's fine by me.