How should I approach this presentation?

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DevilKisses
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30 Sep 2014, 8:02 pm

I'm planning on doing a workshop about what it's like to be in a special ed class. I have to talk about why I'm doing it and about my challenges. I'm setting this workshop up with one of my old special ed teachers.

He's a nice guy, but he believes that I should mention that I have an ASD. I don't really think I have an ASD, I think that I have attention problems and an unknown learning disability.

Even if I am on the spectrum my unknown learning disability and attention problems are a way bigger problem. I also don't feel comfortable being known as an "autistic speaker".

I'm planning on mentioning that I have learning difficulties and attention problems. He doesn't think that will be as "powerful" as mentioning an ASD.


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dianthus
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30 Sep 2014, 8:14 pm

You should do what you feel most comfortable with. I would be wary of anyone who pressured me to disclose a diagnosis. Especially if they are saying it would be more "powerful" that way. Something about that does not sit right with me.



Skilpadde
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30 Sep 2014, 8:28 pm

You shouldn't let him pressure you into saying it. No one has any business knowing that about you. I think you should just stick with what is comfortable for you to talk about, learning disability and concentration problems.


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DevilKisses
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01 Oct 2014, 1:22 am

dianthus wrote:
You should do what you feel most comfortable with. I would be wary of anyone who pressured me to disclose a diagnosis. Especially if they are saying it would be more "powerful" that way. Something about that does not sit right with me.

Me neither. I just feel like way too many people use autism as a way to "sell their work". I would disclose that diagnosis if I felt like it descibed my issues well. Since most of my issues have nothing to do with autism, I see no reason to mention it.

It just makes me kind of sad when I read about autistic artists or musicians. They always make autism the main focus. I understand if they do it with authors that write about autism, but music and art has nothing to do with autism.


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progaspie
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01 Oct 2014, 5:03 am

Your special ed teacher sounds very nice, so I wouldn't worry about disappointing him. Stick to your guns about only mentioning that you have learning and attention difficulties. Any public speaking is a challenge to get through (from my experience) so I wish you well with your workshop and hope it goes down well.