Should I tell my family that I may have ASD?

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mrfoggy
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23 Feb 2016, 5:56 am

I don't think that helps at all but yet there's only one best friend that knows about my condition

My dad probably most likely has autism and drives my mum crazy. My mum of course doesn't know whats autism either.
He is very much a loner and doesn't respond to our family needs or talk to my mum. He told us that he was a "early born infant" and was given to caretaker. Basically he is non existent in our family in terms of emotionally support.

Basically I feel my whole family member has issues including my mum, older brother and sister. Its somehow inherit from my dad's situation. As per now my intelligence is the highest and the brain of the family. I move things around the house and sees problems , initiate and fix them. Delegate to my brother and sister on small task, without me things stays horribly stagnant.

That leads me to depression for many years, because I was unable to find emotional support from my family and yet more problem arise from them.

So whats the point of telling them my issue ?


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Aspie/Austism score 33 (34 & up) ADHD score 40 (34 & up)
High alexithymic / dysthymia / Possible Borderline PD
Star children - Indigo Child Myer Brig - INTJ The Architect
enneagram most like 5w4 - The Investigator / The Individualist
IQ 120 -130 High in Visual Intellgence


Noura4eva
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23 Feb 2016, 7:39 am

Your situation sounds very difficult. I am lucky that my children are supportive as well as my sisters. Both my parents are long passed, but I think they would of tried to be helpful.

Do you feel the need to share the news with your family ? Or do you think you should tell them out of family connection ?

It's a very personal thing I think.

My son who has Aspergers has only told one friend of his.

My daughter with ME does not like telling anyone she has it.

If I am diagnosed with it I will probably shout it from the rooftops.

I think that is a question that only you can answer for yourself

Sorry If I am not much help



Trogluddite
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23 Feb 2016, 10:59 am

I'm pretty sure there's a hereditary link in my family too. I've discovered later in life that my mother has a lot of very similar traits to me. My Uncle, her brother, is even more similar to me - my mother has often confused our names throughout my childhood, so I think she knew the similarity, even if not consciously. She has been very open-minded about it - I think she's mostly just glad that I'm getting some explanations at last.

The only advice I can offer is to maybe delay mentioning autism or developmental disorders. Instead, try to think more in terms of specific traits. As subtly as you can, highlight times where there is a commonality in your reaction or behaviour to a situation - an opportunity to say; "Hey, me too, I think like that sometimes", and to offer a little practical advice if possible.

Having a formal diagnosis isn't a quick fix for anything - it's just information to use strategically for making whatever improvements that we can. Your family's awareness of autism isn't necessarily the primary goal here - it is finding ways for your family to live more harmoniously, however that may be achieved.


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