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Disclosure stories

AnnieBo

Soooo...recently diagnosed...really pleased...validation..lots has clicked into place...relief etc etc...I'm wondering if I've had my head so deeply embedded in the autism world I forgot that some people aren't quite on the same wavelength.

me to friend: I've got some big news! I've just been diagnosed with autism

friend: **silence..mouth open..little bit of a "poor you" face** ...something happens in the room which diverts the conversation {hmmm, convenient}.

friend days later actually picks up conversation rather cautiously and finally says all the right things {"you're stil you..etc etc"}

other friend: still not addressed it but sends me links to random things they know i like {I'll just wait here and make it awkward}

This is so NOT how I expected it to go. I'm having a pause on the disclosures while I have a think! Anyone got a story to share?

Parents

  • Hi, I also got way more cautious about disclosing and now barely tell anyone anymore. I’ve had everything from ‘we are all a little autistic’ to being told it’s just an excuse and I am ruining my life , or people who seemed to take it ok but then proceeded to treat me like I was disabled and discriminated against me and ultimately pushed me out (my previous PhD supervisor). But I also had positive reactions- mostly from friends who turned out to be neurodiverse too!! I’m much more cautious now though and don’t tell people unless I trust them- I have a tendency to overshare sometimes but I am more careful now. What can help is to tell people about traits or things you are experiencing/ need first (or just leave it at that)- especially in work place this is sometimes better than just saying I’m autistic- things like ‘I’m very sensitive to sounds’ or ‘I find changes to my routine difficult and it’s best to avoid unexpected meetings/ plan changes’ etc ‘I find situations with lots of people overwhelming’- sometimes that can be enough or it can actually help to prepare people for when you do tell them as they have already been told about all these traits so it’s a bit easier for them to understand and accept it… 

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  • Hi, I also got way more cautious about disclosing and now barely tell anyone anymore. I’ve had everything from ‘we are all a little autistic’ to being told it’s just an excuse and I am ruining my life , or people who seemed to take it ok but then proceeded to treat me like I was disabled and discriminated against me and ultimately pushed me out (my previous PhD supervisor). But I also had positive reactions- mostly from friends who turned out to be neurodiverse too!! I’m much more cautious now though and don’t tell people unless I trust them- I have a tendency to overshare sometimes but I am more careful now. What can help is to tell people about traits or things you are experiencing/ need first (or just leave it at that)- especially in work place this is sometimes better than just saying I’m autistic- things like ‘I’m very sensitive to sounds’ or ‘I find changes to my routine difficult and it’s best to avoid unexpected meetings/ plan changes’ etc ‘I find situations with lots of people overwhelming’- sometimes that can be enough or it can actually help to prepare people for when you do tell them as they have already been told about all these traits so it’s a bit easier for them to understand and accept it… 

Children
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