Hi All,
I've was diagnosed with ASD yesterday and I have informed my immediate family of the diagnosis. My brother was very supportive and understanding about the diagnosis (He is a care worker with 20 years exp in Adults with learning difficulties and dementia), however my parents were very dismissive of the diagnosis. I want to announce my diagnosis to my wider family, but I'm worried about their responses.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
STOP!
Congratulations on joining the club. 
This is big news to you but is can trigger a few issues. Have a think before you proceed.
You parents are proud of you - and of their achievements through you - if you tell them you are faulty, it can damage their self-esteem - they are now the producer of a broken toy. . How could they admit it to their rival neighbours - it might even lower the property values!
Also, they've accepted you all your life - your are 'normal' (maybe with some quirks) but they will have great difficulty believing you are broken. There's also a chance that one of them may be ASD too - and a sudden penny-drop situation might happen.
If there's any rivalry in the wider family, telling them can upset the balance of power in the family (families are usually bonkers). Things can kick off. That nasty aunt now has more ammunition against your parents etc......
Get used to your diagnosis - understand yourself and how your ASD affects you - when you are happy, then quietly mention it if the opportunity arises - don't force it.
Friends - most probably already know and accept you or don't care - your diagnosis doesn't change *you* in any way. Any friends you lose because of it are not your friends anyway.
Work - be careful! Anything you say can and will be used against you. In the right company, they will be supportive and it's not a problem - you will succeed.
in a company with political egos, it will be used against you - it can be career suicide.
Good luck!
STOP!
Congratulations on joining the club.
This is big news to you but is can trigger a few issues. Have a think before you proceed.
You parents are proud of you - and of their achievements through you - if you tell them you are faulty, it can damage their self-esteem - they are now the producer of a broken toy. . How could they admit it to their rival neighbours - it might even lower the property values!
Also, they've accepted you all your life - your are 'normal' (maybe with some quirks) but they will have great difficulty believing you are broken. There's also a chance that one of them may be ASD too - and a sudden penny-drop situation might happen.
If there's any rivalry in the wider family, telling them can upset the balance of power in the family (families are usually bonkers). Things can kick off. That nasty aunt now has more ammunition against your parents etc......
Get used to your diagnosis - understand yourself and how your ASD affects you - when you are happy, then quietly mention it if the opportunity arises - don't force it.
Friends - most probably already know and accept you or don't care - your diagnosis doesn't change *you* in any way. Any friends you lose because of it are not your friends anyway.
Work - be careful! Anything you say can and will be used against you. In the right company, they will be supportive and it's not a problem - you will succeed.
in a company with political egos, it will be used against you - it can be career suicide.
Good luck!
