Coming out as Autistic on Facebook

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I agree generally, but Swiper told us that his most important reason for disclosing on Facebook "is to help my two teenage Aspie nephews. They suffer from chronic low self-esteem and they need encouragement and hope. They don't have a father-figure in their lives because their deadbeat dad committed suicide a few years back. They look up to me as the 'cool uncle' and I'm the closest thing to a male role-model that they have. If I can help improve their self-esteem - even by just a little - by coming out as a proud and open Autistic then it will be all worth it." That is at least as valid a reason as I have read at Wrong Planet for or against the idea of disclosing. I agree that, these days, making any statement on Facebook is similar to a public announcement of the family secrets; in other words a very big step. But, I suspect that Swiper knows that and has given his decision a lot of deliberate consideration. While there are many legal reasons to avoid disclosing, none of them rise to the level of trumping his.

In fact, I am currently considering when, not if, I will disclose beyond my family and friends. Reading Swiper's reasons has convinced me that my own disclosure could help others (including my own autistic grandnephew).

You have a point. If my disclosing my own personal ASD would help someone, I'd do it.

I do think there has to be more dialogue about it--especially at it pertains to the sensory aspect of Autism/Asperger's--owing to some of its manifestations (e.g., meltdowns) Personally, except for some overload sometimes, I'm not affected too badly in a sensory sense.

Done, done, and done. 50+ likes two hours later.

I hate Facebook and the concept of having 500+ "friends" horrifies me.

I really like Facebook because it's the one way I feel comfortable socializing with family and friends. I totally agree that 500+ friends would make it very overwhelming. I feel like 70 is almost too many! At the same time, I was kinda let down that my "coming out" post only got 11 likes.

That bolded bit is just one reason why I can't stand Facebook. I'm not blaming you for being disappointed; I'd probably be the same. But Facebook has somehow managed to turn having friends into a competion and made it all about quantity rather than quality.

Sooo true! I have never used Facebook (tried to create a page twice, didn't work, moved on). But, it appears sketchy to me. Still, I accept that it is the way people communicate these days. Gone are the days of conversing face-to-face or by telephone. [Sigh]

@AspieUtah - You're not missing anything! My brother and sister-in-law closed their Facebook account a couple of years ago. My brother reckoned they were getting weird messages from somebody, plus they just didn't really like or trust the site. They're both NTs with busy lives, but have no need for FB. As long as you've got a phone and email address, you can keep in touch with just about anybody.

I confess to having a FB account, but I pretty much only talk to one person on it and often don't log in for weeks at a time. I talk to her via private chat. Everything that is posted on the wall is sheer vapidity: usually "inspirational" quotes or "cute" pictures from the same few morons.

As you might have guessed already, I prefer forums.

I've never had much problem coming out as autistic anywhere. I think it's better that I do because then people know I'm not a huge social butterfly. Even online, I struggle with being socially-active as my friends are. I often feel envious that they talk about hanging out with friends or family and stuff like that. A majority, if not all of my friends, know that I'm on the spectrum. They understand I'm not exactly the most social person. One of my friends, her name is Ciara (pronounced Shar-ah not see-ar-ah) worked with autistic kids when she studied to be a nurse. Before, I had told her about having autism, and she kind of misinterpreted a lot of my struggles. Well, not long ago, she studied to be a nurse and had to do work as with special needs kids, mostly autism... and it helped her understand me better.

Facebook has been a lifesaver for me. I moved to a different country two decades ago so the only way for me to stay in touch with family and childhood friends are through Facebook. I rather post something on Facebook than calling people internationally.

A valid reason to use it. I would, too, in the same situation.

Are you in my head? haha

110+ likes four days later including extended family and childhood friends. I guess it's too late to change my mind now.

The first time I mentioned it on Facebook a couple years ago as I figured it out I remember saying something to the effect of "This is beyond adhd/ocd? this is autism. Yep, I'm ausome!" which didn't really get any sort of reactions or replies that I can recall. Later when I mentioned it I mentioned that I'd figured out that it was caused by intestinal dysbiosis and knew what I had to do about it. That didn't get replies, either, but I did send a link to my paragraph about that to a few acquaintances that could have used the info themselves. Many months later when I ran into one of them at a bar I used to work at he told me he read it and passed it on to others because he was rather impressed with what I'd figured out/done etc. So, even though people didn't reply.. some of them did at least read it.

I am really glad it has gone well for you Swiper. My only concern is that if you want to change jobs in future, prospective employers may discriminate against you. However you may find a solution to that too, if needs must, in future.

Thank you. I'm currently in the military and set to retire from the service in 4 years time. Once I get my military retirement I can always get a civilian job from the government.