To disclose or not to disclose?

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Does anybody here disclose their AS diagnosis to their peer group? I'm asking because I used to when I was younger. Now I just go for a "normal" approach. Sure I have my quirks, but honestly, who doesn't? Whether or not it's right, having a diagnosis like this might make people uncomfortable around us (like we're expecting some sort of preferrential treatment).

I never say anything unless my difference becomes apparent and someone asks. In that case, I explain.

I "came out" to my Cohort last week in class when we were doing a "sharing" activity. It had become apparent to many people in last 4 weeks that I was different. It felt good. I'm in a teaching/special needs Masters program, and I was horrified to discover how many people in the program knew so very little about special needs children or Autism. I would think that being interested in education would mean more awareness of the diverse minds potentially in your classroom.

I usually just tell people certain quirks I have or a couple things that I do differently so they are not blindsided. For example I will ask people straight out to tell me if I offend them by anything I am doing/saying... else I will continue to do the offending thing and I will not "get it" unless you tell me. I find that everyone I have told this to I have a lot less issues of them getting angry at me for doing some strange thing that I "should not be doing." Although I don't tend to bother telling this to anyone that I would not have as a friend to begin with.

As for out and out stating AS? Not really. If people really start asking I will bring it up... but the number of people I have "told" I can count on one hand.

I agree - I'll usually wait until the opportunity arises & then raise the subject of my specific issue. The biggest one for me is that I need people to only approach me from the front (I just hate it when someone walks up behind me & stands out of my line of sight, waiting for me to notice them.)

It's really none of their business why I feel that way - it should be enough that I don't like it.

I've told all the people that have put up with my weirdness, and accepted me as I am, even if I have been a bit trying at times. Some of them who know what AS is said AHH that that explains a few things and others have said I hope your not going to change.

I don't have many friends but the ones I have are great. And for all you NT bashers all my friends are neurotypical.