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Is it normal to feel embarrassed?

Els

I got diagnosed with autism in November 2024. I am still figuring out ways to manage life a bit better since I feel like I’ve been “regressing” since (I know this is completely normal) What I would like to know is if it’s normal to feel embarrassed about having autism? I think, especially nowadays with social media, people have made a big joke of autism and it’s very made fun of. It’s almost like I have to hide it from people. I’ve only told a few close friends and family and I try not to tell anyone else. I don’t necessarily want to feel embarrassed. But a part of me is. It’s like people will look at me differently or treat me differently if I tell them.

Anyone else?

Parents

  • I'm totally "out" with being autistic, I refuse to be made embarassed or ashamed, socially its helps sort the sheep from the goats as those who reject me or try and make me ashamed in some way are not the sort of people I want to be around and I'd rather find out sooner rather than later when I've put some emotional investment into them. 

    If anyone does try and shut me up I just ask why I should, often its them thats embarrassed being with someone who's "not normal". Most people don't care though, in fact many people seem to value the knowlege, it makes them feel more able to be honest and authentic with me and any misunderstandings are more easily sorted out. I also ask my NT friends questions about parts of the NT world that make no sense to me, it opens conversations that lead to them having to think about things they'd never thought about before and just accepted, it's not confrontational, just exploratory, interesting conversation. I also think they value my slightly different outlook on the world with personal problems, as I don't instinctively understand a lot of things, but treat my own culture in a slightly more anthropological way, it helps them to gain some clarity and a viewpoint they might otherwise not have. 

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  • I'm totally "out" with being autistic, I refuse to be made embarassed or ashamed, socially its helps sort the sheep from the goats as those who reject me or try and make me ashamed in some way are not the sort of people I want to be around and I'd rather find out sooner rather than later when I've put some emotional investment into them. 

    If anyone does try and shut me up I just ask why I should, often its them thats embarrassed being with someone who's "not normal". Most people don't care though, in fact many people seem to value the knowlege, it makes them feel more able to be honest and authentic with me and any misunderstandings are more easily sorted out. I also ask my NT friends questions about parts of the NT world that make no sense to me, it opens conversations that lead to them having to think about things they'd never thought about before and just accepted, it's not confrontational, just exploratory, interesting conversation. I also think they value my slightly different outlook on the world with personal problems, as I don't instinctively understand a lot of things, but treat my own culture in a slightly more anthropological way, it helps them to gain some clarity and a viewpoint they might otherwise not have. 

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