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How did you disclose your diagnosis to people around you?

NAS82960

Where do you even start?!

There are 2 people very close to me who know I have gone through the process and it does not make an ounce of difference to them if I am diagnosed officially or not - they are very accepting. 

However, a lot of people that I know (or that know me) have no idea and I wouldn't even know where to begin trying to explain it to them. I think my biggest worry is at work as I'm just known as the quiet one with weird hobbies but I know there's so much more going on in my brain than just that.

I want it to be clear in my head before I try and explain it to people but the more I think about it, the more I go round in circles wondering where to start and how to approach it. 

Could I ask what your experiences have been in disclosing your autism, who you decided to tell, and the general experience etc.? 

Parents

  • Hi, my advice it to think about who needs to know. I would let an employer know so you can then have reasonable adjustments at work. I have told my close family and only a few other people who I trust. Remember that once you open Pandora’s box, it can’t be closed again. I thought about if there was anything to be gained from someone knowing. Most of the reactions I’ve had have been positive, some of the older generation can be distant with acceptance but I find drip feeding them helps.

Reply

  • Hi, my advice it to think about who needs to know. I would let an employer know so you can then have reasonable adjustments at work. I have told my close family and only a few other people who I trust. Remember that once you open Pandora’s box, it can’t be closed again. I thought about if there was anything to be gained from someone knowing. Most of the reactions I’ve had have been positive, some of the older generation can be distant with acceptance but I find drip feeding them helps.

Children
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