Should I tell people about my AS?
Disclaimer: this post is not intended as advice. Rather, it gives my train of thought on the subject, which may differ from others'.
I tell people who really need to know.
Some application and medical forms require that I state any disability or learning disability. With that wording, I state it.
If it's worded as "any disability you think will affect your ability to x" then nope. I'm generally high-functioning enough, and can fit into enough situations [in which I'd need to fill in such a form] that I can fake it enough.
As for PEOPLE...no. I do not tell them. I have even been known to lie about it [three people have been able to guess it, due to exposure to AS through family and caring]. I just don't see any positives, and only negatives.
Firstly, as mentioned, not everyone with AS is the same.
I have known quiet people with AS.
I have known loud people with AS.
I have known quiet people who are NT.
I have known quiet people who are NT.
Replace "quiet" with anything you like [aggressive, hyper, shy, whatever really]
In that sense, if AS does not convey my personality, then why bother?
Let people learn who I am without labels.
Secondly, people tend to blame things on AS. This is very similar to my point above, although not quite the same. Examples might be
"He is slow because he has AS"
"He is hyper because he has AS"
"He doesn't get on with people because he has AS"
I'm worried that if I do something well, it'll be because of the diagnosis [taking away any actual skill I have]. If I fail, it'll also be because of the diagnosis, and not because I'm just not good at that task [it'll feel patronising / condescending]
I'd rather they take the time to discover who I am, than assume things about me because of the label. And that I progress or fail in my career and life due to my own good and bad points.
Thirdly, outright assumptions. The old Rain Main stereotype and the like. Not having any of that.
However [and it's getting towards pro-telling now...]
The only person I've opened up to is my gf [and I knee-jerk said "no" when she asked, but then corrected it]. Somebody else knows too [long story]. Neither have judged me one bit, and talk to me just the same as they did before. No special treatment from them.
So maybe in future, I'll be a bit more honest. But only if asked ![]()
i won't say that you should 'hide' it as such, but there is no need to flat-out tell everyone you meet either.
myself, i just tell people i trust in a matter-of-fact fashion should the topic come up.
it is rather like a religious orientation in that manner; it is no secret, but not something everyone should know about you
