Disclosing autism at work

I told my team colleagues on the team Teams call this Tuesday that I found out Friday before that I am on the spectrum. I felt I had to, to not keep that to myself and to hopefully get my colleagues talking about it and get some feedback on how 'oh yes it makes sense now I have always thought that etc.'. But when I said it to my team, it felt like it fell flat and even at my 1:1 with my line manager this thursday gone, it wasn't brought up. I said I didn't need any adjustments because I didn't want it to be a fuss. 

I feel a superposition of: stupid for having told everyone, embarrassment at what they think of me, and righteous for having told them considering it took courage to say it. I have felt upset since Tuesday, and haven't had the courage to raise that I have been upset with my colleagues, because I already think I gave them a burdensome piece of information without reminding them of it. It made for emotional pain and self hatred for the rest of the week and now it is weekend I'm able to look back and feel calmer about it. I feel my trust having been broken however and I won't be bringing it up again with my colleagues, unless they approach me about it. Thing is; I don't even know the truth about it, so the truth could be something which makes me silly for having felt this, but the lack of specific communication received has left my mind wandering.

Should I have received more engagement about it from my manager and colleagues, even so much as a well done for letting everyone know? 

Has anyone else experienced declaration of being on the spectrum fall flat because nobody seems to know how to respond to it?

Parents
  • That's stuck you with second-guessing the reason(s) for their reactions. I'd say it's because they have no idea about what the autistic spectrum can be. I might be hesitant to ask you to elaborate and suggest my own ignorance.

    I personally would have highlighted a few situations where you're aware you behave differently to how they might expect others to behave. You can still do that the next time you're on Teams with them - perhaps give them a list of autistic traits that apply to you.

  • Just about anything conversational would have been nice, but it's early days and ill wait and see. The team has a get together on the horizon so something might be discussed then when guards are lowered. Meanwhile I get the assessment feedback next week hopefully so even I could do with knowing more about my condition before I go Karen on people.

Reply
  • Just about anything conversational would have been nice, but it's early days and ill wait and see. The team has a get together on the horizon so something might be discussed then when guards are lowered. Meanwhile I get the assessment feedback next week hopefully so even I could do with knowing more about my condition before I go Karen on people.

Children