Negative reaction to diagnosis

Good for you I guess said:

is autism a medical condition

Some would say so, I suppose, although it's also a personality difference and a way of being. Or a way of seeing. They say there's a genetic component, but it seems to be related to genes for intelligence. There's no medical treatment, and many autistic people wouldn't want one anyway.  You've probably heard it described as 'a spectrum condition' - that means a kind of umbrella covering different sets of 'symptoms', all linked by differences in social connection.

I was 'diagnosed' autistic a couple of years ago, and I would accept the description of a 'hidden disability'.  o one can see into another's mind, really, so it's bound to be hidden.

Good for you I guess said:

Is it a mental or physical health condition?

It appears in lists of mental disorders, but the general consensus is it is neither a mental health condition, nor a learning disability.  It can be a source of problems, but a lot of those problems are because other people misunderstand. Many people see it as analogous to a difference in sexuality.

Good for you I guess said:

Why is it seen by many people as a good thing to be diagnosed with autism?

For some people, it explains things - the way they seem to be permanently different, and trying to be the same as the majority isn't going to be helpful. Some people actually feel positive about being 'more unique', if that means anything.

Although there's no treatment, there are things that can be done. For example, some people are sensitive to certain lights, sounds or smells, and so the 'diagnosis' gives a reason for other people to accommodate that - including employers.  Other people may need a particular way to communicate, or extra time to process communication.

Good for you I guess said:

To me, ‘autistic' is a negative label and I am having trouble coming to terms with it.

That's understandable. It's probably going to take longer than a week - in fact, I still don't quite know what it means to me after a couple of years.  You might want to ask for a bit more feedback from professionals you have seen recently to try to find out what it is exactly that makes them think you're autistic.  In my case it was partly a lack of emotional signals (not that I'm unemotional), or not making small talk.

Good for you I guess said:

is autism a medical condition

Some would say so, I suppose, although it's also a personality difference and a way of being. Or a way of seeing. They say there's a genetic component, but it seems to be related to genes for intelligence. There's no medical treatment, and many autistic people wouldn't want one anyway.  You've probably heard it described as 'a spectrum condition' - that means a kind of umbrella covering different sets of 'symptoms', all linked by differences in social connection.

I was 'diagnosed' autistic a couple of years ago, and I would accept the description of a 'hidden disability'.  o one can see into another's mind, really, so it's bound to be hidden.

Good for you I guess said:

Is it a mental or physical health condition?

It appears in lists of mental disorders, but the general consensus is it is neither a mental health condition, nor a learning disability.  It can be a source of problems, but a lot of those problems are because other people misunderstand. Many people see it as analogous to a difference in sexuality.

Good for you I guess said:

Why is it seen by many people as a good thing to be diagnosed with autism?

For some people, it explains things - the way they seem to be permanently different, and trying to be the same as the majority isn't going to be helpful. Some people actually feel positive about being 'more unique', if that means anything.

Although there's no treatment, there are things that can be done. For example, some people are sensitive to certain lights, sounds or smells, and so the 'diagnosis' gives a reason for other people to accommodate that - including employers.  Other people may need a particular way to communicate, or extra time to process communication.

Good for you I guess said:

To me, ‘autistic' is a negative label and I am having trouble coming to terms with it.

That's understandable. It's probably going to take longer than a week - in fact, I still don't quite know what it means to me after a couple of years.  You might want to ask for a bit more feedback from professionals you have seen recently to try to find out what it is exactly that makes them think you're autistic.  In my case it was partly a lack of emotional signals (not that I'm unemotional), or not making small talk.