Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi folks
Having had autism (strongly) and a side of ADHD show in a recent screening I’m split about whether to tell people, particularly at work.
I always thought other people were a bit boring, and that I just knew my own mind and what I liked/didn’t. Now it turns out it’s me who’s not ‘normal’.
Everything makes much more sense since the screening, but in many cases, I’ve masked this so effectively and for so long that I think many people will just doubt the screening result. Of the two people I told (by accident) when I’d done some online tests that showed autism, both their responses were a straight ‘no you aren’t.’
There are adjustments at work (opting out of social events and decreasing stimulus such heat/noise in the office) that would help, but I’m also wary of people giving me a label and that holding back my career.
What experience do others have of this situation?
Thanks for your time.
It depends on the people. I'm a bit loud and proud about it, but then I work in an environment that values the stuff I can do because of my autism and they are all cool with it. I also have other autistic colleagues, which helps.
Some folks haven't had such a good reception, mostly I think because they don't understand it. It's born of ignorance.
...but you are perfectly "normal". You are just a "normal" autistic person, as opposed to a defective neurotypical one. Neurotypicals do sometimes talk about some pointless stuff, apparently they need to do that to bond socially - beats me as to why, but apparently they do. And it's very healthy indeed to "know your own mind".