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Disclosing you have Autism?

Shadweller

How have things gone if you have disclosed you have (or think you have) Autism to anyone?

So far I have not told anyone 'In Real Life', I will probably wait until after diagnosis before I seriously consider it.

But I can sort of imagine some various outcomes ahead of actually doing this for real. In an ideal world, people would understand and make allowances for any difficulties. Obviously though we don't live in an ideal world, so I can imagine any such disclosures having an opposite effect to the desired one, so that instead of understanding and acceptance,  a disclosure could lead to fear, and even being treated as even more weird, and being ostracised even further. I have also heard of disclosures leading people to be dismissed from work a few weeks afterwards. For ostensibly different reasons, because discrimination is illegal.

It's clearly going to depend who you tell.If you are lucky enough to have understanding close family and friends, a disclosure will probably only bring you closer. Not everyone has such good relationships though.

  • in reply to ☕Tassimo ☕

    Thanks for this - I often struggle to articulate my sensitivities and difficulties and this is a good approach with good examples. I am going to save them as they'll help me and take the pressure off me and the person I'm talking to.

  • I recently got a diagnosis and will be very careful about who I tell. 

    If you have a private diagnosis, do you tell the GP? 

    If you do, you aren't, in fact, telling the GP.  You're telling the NHS, which is one of the world's biggest employers. 

    The GP may change, in the future, from a enlightened one to a moron.

    There are currently strong guidelines about confidentiality, but if the Pentagon and IT security companies can be hacked, so can the NHS.

    Also, the current strong confidentiality rules may change in the future.  Probably not, but if you're (say) in your 20s, who knows what will happen to that information before you die, hopefully in your 80s or 90s or beyond?  

    My autism doesn't affect language or cognitive function and I take the view that most people don't need to know. 

    But it's possible that there is an 80% inheritance factor, so I am going to tell people if the genetic path indicates they may also be on the spectrum.  I think that's only fair, but will ask for confidentiality.   

  • Hello Shadweller

    There are a few situations where you have to disclose.

    The DVLA. You have to notify the DVLA of any condition that may affect your ability to drive.

    Life/Medical/Travel Insurance. I    f you are asked directly about any diagnoses on an insurance form you should disclose or your insurance may not be valid should you need to make a claim.

    For some situations, you need to make a judgement about the best course of action.

    Education/Employment/ DWP. It may be helpful in an employment or education situation to share information about your diagnosis. This information can be used to support you, but should not be shared with everyone without your consent. The same is true for any interactions with the DWP.

    A & E, Health Services, Dentist, Police. It can be helpful to disclose to the police if you are arrested or asked to give a witness statement. 

    For all other situations, not everyone needs to know you are autistic. Sometimes it may be helpful if people know you have a hidden condition, such as autism. People such as the general public or people working in a supermarket may benefit from knowing without having to have a conversation. Wearing or presenting The Sunflower Lanyard can identify you may need some reasonable adjustments.

    You don't have to tell them you are autistic.  Depending on the situation and the person, you could just choose a couple of difficulties and how these affect you. For example: I struggle to concentrate when there is a lot of background noise. I have a condition that means I am very sensitive to bright lights. Sometimes it helps if I wear dark glasses. I don’t always remember information I am given, would you mind writing that down for me? 

    Not disclosing can mean that people have to get to know you without any preconceptions, however, If you don’t disclose, it can be difficult to get the support you are entitled to.