Revealing our AS?

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Once I found out I have Asperger's, the decision to go public with this fact followed shortly thereafter. I want to do what I can to reduce the stigma surrounding Asperger's, and autism spectrum disorders in general. I cannot do that from inside a "closet."

I'm a teacher, so this was not without risk, but I did it anyway, on principle. I have never regretted the decision to "come out" as an Aspie. There have been no negative consequences. On the job, in fact, this helps me. Others where I teach know that I can relate to students on the autism spectrum in ways that non-Aspies cannot, so my being "out" directly benefits students there, and my colleagues respect my honesty and openness on this subject.

Those who are "out" can promote awareness, and acceptance of our differences, simply by writing on the subjects of Asperger's/autism, and making such writing publicly viewable to all. Here are some examples of my doing just that, in blog-posts, with my real name visible: http://robertlovespi.wordpress.com/?s=asperger%27s

I encourage others to do similar things -- especially other teachers. Our subculture will never get past the stigma-stage without many of us gathering the courage to stand up, speak up, and be seen and heard, as those who have a difference from what is typical, but a difference about which they are not ashamed.

I wouldn't come out of the closet on being an aspie.
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I've told a few people that I have Asperger's (only when a conversation about it arises, which is rare). I tell them that it is an advantages/disadvantages condition and that it has no significant impact on my personality. If I didn't have Asperger's I'd probably still be an introvert with similar interests. I often use Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory as a stereotypical example to exemplify the ranging severity of the condition. Few people have talked about it with me again, and when that does happen it is about something they saw on television or someone else saying they had it.

When I tell people I'm autistic they think I'm joking, like saying you're a downie when you do something stupid.

There is a huge stigma in relation to autism, but Asperger's is perceived as a difference at the current point in time. I don't tell everyone I meet I have Asperger's.

I generally bring it up when discussing my intellectual gifts, to explain that there's a trade-off in my case. As for people with Asperger's Syndrome who don't have some sort of 'gift', it really frustrates me because I know that most of them are capable. Growing up there was a really solid example: One kid I knew was actually better than me at math, but once everyone made it to middle school they had the opportunity to choose their classes. My parents made me take the hard courses, while his parents let him take the easy ones because it would mean fewer meltdowns and complaints.

The end result is that when I met him after high school, he hadn't even made it through Algebra and I was done with single variable calculus. This kid was smarter than me.