question about disclosing at work

I disclosed to my manager after I had gone through the pre assessment and was told I would be receiving a full assessment. She has been very supportive in small ways such as giving me total permission to 'escape' if I feel the need as long as I find some time to sit down with her afterwards and talk it through. I am also allowed to step out during the louder parts of our company events and small details like that. She is not from the older generation.

I know she has informed (with my consent) her manager and a couple of the senior managers who are of the older generation. Fear is the best way I can describe their reaction. I think they do not understand the concept and rather than try and learn about it they just interact with me as little as possible so i guess it could be worse. 

I think others take their queues from these senior managers, I get lots of weird looks from the other people who work in the same place as me, most people are politely friendly when interaction is needed with me, otherwise they just avoid me. I do not know if it is common knowledge at this point and that is the reason or they are just copying the senior managers reactions. I try to limit my stimming as much as possible though i have found myself stuck in some patterns (such as walking down a particular corridor having to touch the frame of each door I pass) which I am pretty sure have been noted, i dont know if it would be fair of me to blame the senior managers.

The few times I have built up the nerve to try and interact with people i believe i would get on with well it has been cut short as others make jokes and tease for being one of the few I interact with. I have not shared these experiences with my manager, i have no doubt she would try and tackle them but i fear that would just make things worse and I really like my job, i don't want to have to find another one. 

As such I think disclosure has proven a good and a bad thing. it is good because my manager happens to be good and it has meant I have been able to stay in the job that I like. It is bad because i think i am permanently labelled, I am automatically excluded from many things and many opportunities and I am a social outcast (although to be fair i think i would be anyway because i am me). Even with a supportive manager I am cautious to bring up issues as I fear that her goodwill will dry up eventually, i also do a lot of extra work voluntarily to, in my own head at least, repay my manager for her support.

Sorry this has turned into a small essay, i am not sure I have answered the question....

Hi BitsOfFluff, thank you very much for sharing your experience. Sorry it took me a couple of days to reply, as I haven't been on the forum over Easter. I really enjoyed reading your "small essay"!

I think you described a very interesting experience, and I guess it would have been something that I would have expected to happen most commonly - disclosing could result in both good and bad things. I'm really glad to hear that your manager has been very supportive, and I hope you can focus on the positive sides of disclosing! 

I can imagine what it might be like in the presence of the senior managers. I haven't disclosed yet as I'm still uncertain. But based on previous experience on other things, or watching their reaction to other people, it's often the case that people avoid people who are different from them. I have experienced similar situations feeling like a social outcast.

I really like the approach that you are taking with your supportive manager. I think it's very good advice in general. I also have a supportive friend at work, and I am in need of ideas on how to repay her. I think being cautious of what to bring up and doing voluntary work are good ideas. 

Wish you all the best with everything!

Hi BitsOfFluff, thank you very much for sharing your experience. Sorry it took me a couple of days to reply, as I haven't been on the forum over Easter. I really enjoyed reading your "small essay"!

I think you described a very interesting experience, and I guess it would have been something that I would have expected to happen most commonly - disclosing could result in both good and bad things. I'm really glad to hear that your manager has been very supportive, and I hope you can focus on the positive sides of disclosing! 

I can imagine what it might be like in the presence of the senior managers. I haven't disclosed yet as I'm still uncertain. But based on previous experience on other things, or watching their reaction to other people, it's often the case that people avoid people who are different from them. I have experienced similar situations feeling like a social outcast.

I really like the approach that you are taking with your supportive manager. I think it's very good advice in general. I also have a supportive friend at work, and I am in need of ideas on how to repay her. I think being cautious of what to bring up and doing voluntary work are good ideas. 

Wish you all the best with everything!