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Am I being too sensitive?

Allie🖤

Family has gathered for the Holidays and I’m already feeling uncomfortable as the only autistic person involved.

The conversation somehow leads to autism, my sister and her boyfriend begin talking about how someone had told them that they both have “autistic traits”. (Personally, I feel that they’re both very neurotypical.) They joke and sneer as is they’ve been insulted, as if being autistic is the worst thing you can be called. Right in front of me. 

Both of them are fully aware that I have a diagnosis, yet they don’t see a problem with what they’re saying. My parents then continue to say “they didn’t mean it to upset you”… but it did upset me, it upset me a lot. 

I feel belittled and like my feelings don’t matter. I feel like I should just shut up and deal with it. I feel so upset and I don’t want to be around anyone. Am I being over dramatic? Am I being stupid? 

Parents

  • You’re definitely not being overdramatic or stupid… your feelings are completely valid. It’s hurtful when people joke about autism,  especially when they know your diagnosis, and dismissing your feelings with “they didn’t mean it” only makes it worse. My family sometimes say “oh it’s the ‘tism” when they are trying to be funny about me. It really upsets me. 
    When you feel up to it, you should tell your sister and her boyfriend how their comments made you feel, and that they are laughing at you and not with you, because it’s not funny to joke about autism. It’s ableism, and undermines your diagnosis. 

    Make sure you take care of yourself, you deserve to feel respected.

Reply

  • You’re definitely not being overdramatic or stupid… your feelings are completely valid. It’s hurtful when people joke about autism,  especially when they know your diagnosis, and dismissing your feelings with “they didn’t mean it” only makes it worse. My family sometimes say “oh it’s the ‘tism” when they are trying to be funny about me. It really upsets me. 
    When you feel up to it, you should tell your sister and her boyfriend how their comments made you feel, and that they are laughing at you and not with you, because it’s not funny to joke about autism. It’s ableism, and undermines your diagnosis. 

    Make sure you take care of yourself, you deserve to feel respected.

Children