Did you find out recently too?

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I found out I have Asperger's about a week ago. I haven't told any of my family or friends. I feel like it has to remain a secret until I know what to do with this information. When it comes time to tell those I care about that I'm an aspie, I have no clue how I'm going to do it. I've always been the "strong quiet" type to everyone. Telling them this will dramatically alter their view of me to the "quiet aspie." And since my family members aren't the most empathetic individuals, I'm probably going to have to develop a thicker skin between now and then. They're not intentionally hurtful but they aren't all-inclusive and all-loving either. My sisters might say something along the lines of "s**t, that explains why you're so weird around people." Which is true but hurts.

As I said in another post before, I've been walking around with a blown mind for about a week now. I'm fitting in the explanation for how I am into previous memories and everything is making so much sense. But other than explaining my past and how I might be in the future, I really don't know what else to do with this information. So I guess I have a few question for you all. How did you handle it when you found out you really are different? How did you tell your family and friends? And How are you using the knowledge of being an aspie to benefit yourself?

TL;DR- I don't have my s**t together yet. Whats your story?

Welcome!

I found out around a year ago at age 36. I'd felt "different" all my life, and while it was a major shock, and a lot of worry when I first found out about the possibility, by the time I got my diagnosis it was more of a relief because it explained a lot about my life. Although I still do find myself questioning it every so often, probably because I lived 36 years without knowing about it and having a diagnosis doesn't "feel" any different.

The only people I've told are the person who first suggested to me that I might have ASD, my parents, and I told my parents that they can tell my brother.

I am very lucky in that I'm surrounded by people that... Well they are either very understanding or they just don't give a s**t, therefore it really didn't make to much of a difference to them wether I had Aspergers or not.

The best advice(and I follow it myself, so I'm not just talking to be talking here) that I could give would be to embrace it. I've found that the more I attempt to hide something that might be difficult to me, the more "ammo," I give to those that would use it against me. But, if I embrace it, that take all of the "ammo," away.

It does seem from what you've described you may have to develop a thicker skin if remarks such as that of what you expect your sister might make would be hurtful to you, but just remeber that AS is nothing to be ashamed of.

Best of luck,

Zachwashere

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

I was diagnosed approximately a year and a half ago, and strongly suspected it about a year before then. Ironically my mate told me her suspicions when I was about 14 but because of my negative views of autism at the time I refused to consider it >.< I have had a few problematic reactions to my reveal from family but ultimately it's been beneficial.

You have all the time in the world, don't feel pressured to tell anyone soon or indeed ever. If you feel it's not worth the hassle, there will never be any need.

I found out fairly recently. Initially I just told those who I thought might have Asperger's, and the few who suspected I might. I figured the general public doesn't need to know, but it could provide some solidarity with, "Hey, I'm one of you too." I've tentatively told a few others: those I thought would understand and not treat me differently because of the information.

I sometimes imagine springing the information on my dad. That would be interesting. He blames vaccines for my brother's Asperger's and wouldn't believe I have it too.

I don't think many people would treat me differently. It's more that I expect people wouldn't believe me if I told them. As a female, I don't show the signs people expect. (I now consider it would be ironic for people to tell me I'm weird my whole life, then when I tell them why I'm weird, for them to insist that I'm normal.)

I'm sorry about your sisters, it sucks when people can be insensitive :/

I'm not officially diagnosed, but I figured out maybe a few days ago that I could be on the autism spectrum. I'm looking at my behavior & habits, and it completely fits. People would tell me I was "weird" all the time, it was hurtful but at the same time I don't care. I accept myself and don't want to revisit high school and middle school feelings again (I'm 24/f btw).

I'm going to talk to my therapist about it and I think for me, right now I would really like to get a diagnoses. If I knew I had this, I would feel validated for my obscure habits, OCD behavior etc...then most importantly, I think I would understand myself better and perchance would not deal with so much depression. I'm dealing with depression right now and a lot of it comes from social exclusion, or not really understanding myself and why I need to spend inordinate amounts of time alone, or why I can't connect/relate to people, or why I feel perpetually misunderstood, or why I can't understand my own emotions, or why I've always sucked at organization and managing my projects, or why I don't ever want to go out, or why I want to sit in a dark room with software for hours on end LOL. I could accept myself and that this is just how my brain operates, and move on from feelings that are holding me back or making me confused.

Uhhh Anyway yeah that's how I feel right now. So far, if this is confirmed I have autism, it would be a big relief, and then afterwards, I would like to be able to manage my poor habits better and work towards a career that would fit my natural inclinations.

I don't want to feel obscure or "wrong" for not wanting to spend time with people, especially my family. My aunts are really obnoxious and they're hard for me to be around. I always feel misunderstood, and though they have good intentions they're always trying to "fix me." They need constant stimulation and activity, and I find it difficult to be around that kind of energy.