Do you think Autism has a negative image?

Yes I agree.

I think there are some people who don't like hearing anything that's out of their particular orbit and there are things that get pushed at you regardless, so I guess this can feel the same about autism.

At least with those who don't understand you have a chance of changinf thier minds and educating them, but those who think they already know all about it are often the most irritating because they're convinced they know everything already and aren't prepared to deviate from what they think they know.

I'm not sure it has a negative image as such. I just think it's still very poorly understood. Some people are just negative about it. Other people go the other way and think they're being understanding when actually they are just being annoying. There are still a lot of stereotypes and assumptions that people fall into.

I think there is also an issue where some people feel it's been "shoved down their throats" and this becomes negative as then every time autism is mentioned they have oh not more autism reaction.

There's still a long way to go before it could be said there is acceptance but I don't think everybody sees it as negative. I know a lot of people here have had negative experiences and I include myself in that but in my new workplace I had a much better experience.

Sadly, I think it does. I've only shared my diagnosis with a select few. Some have said, "Aren't we all a bit on the spectrum?" And "why would you want a label ?" I find that so dismissive and hurtful. I've only told a couple of my family members. The other members bullied me in childhood and adulthood, until I walked away. I wouldn't want to give them any reason to justify their behaviour. 

I shared my diagnosis with the manager of my building a few months back. A couple of days ago she knocked on my door to talk to me about an issue in the building. Let's just say she was trying to gaslight me etc. I do wonder if she would have done this if I hadn't have shared my diagnosis. I regret telling her.

Interesting question. I think one of the biggest issues is autism is such a broad spectrum, no two autistic people are the same but yet the media tends to lump us all together under certain stereotypes, one of which is obviously the Sheldon Cooper style brainly Science genius. 

For me there are two big problems with people's perceptions of autism. Firstly, I feel when I tell people I am autistic some people seem to associate this with immiturity or childishness, almost like I'm not a "proper" adult. I am definitely a proper adult and am more mature than many of the NT people I know but this kind of perception seems to still exist sadly. 

The second thing is that autism is still considered a disability. Some people on here many disagree with me and I respect that but I don't see autism as a disability, I see it as a different ability. Autism only looks like a disability because we live in a world designed for NT people. If we lived in a world designed for autistic people then being Neruotypical would seem like a disability. 

Just telling someone about my anxiety and the reactions from that, means that after my diagnosis last month, I haven't told many at all including some of my immediate family are in the dark.

Yes - I agree with what others say on here, we shouldn't be ashamed/hide and should advocate for ourselves and each other.  I'm just not there right yet, have a support call next week and will raise this as area I need help with

I guess I've always had to stand up for myself, I've never really had anyone to stand up for me or even with me, I suppose it's why I may come across as a bit confrontational or over emphatic. But I really can't be doing with having to expalin myself, or excuse myself anymore, I'm nobodies punch bag or door mat, never again, so I try and make sure to give people as little ammunition against me as possible, I take the things that some would see as a weakness and turn it into a strenght.

I think the media often focuses on the challenges and difficulties, which can create a skewed perception. It's like they only show one side of the story.

I think it's important to remember that autism is a spectrum, and everyone's experience is different. There are definitely some negative stereotypes out there, but there are also a lot of strengths and unique perspectives that come with being autistic.

As someone once said, it can take a real effrot for a fully qualified Doctor to tell you that you child has Autism, whereas the playground can sniff it out in five minutes... 

The important thing is that YOU know why you are & how you are.

The NT's don't rush up to you and tel you in one word "By your standards I am unreliable and weird" which is about teh best interpretation that you will get when they learn that you have Autism, so don't tell them.

There are legal and employment and "queuing at an airport" situations where being able to whip out the Autism card may confer a short acting advantage, but Autism is generally (possibly correctly) seen as a weakness, and who needs to start out from a weak position?  

I think you are right we should be more open and stand up for ourselves. Maybe in time, at least for me I a maybe able to talk about it more. Right now I am still getting my head around things but do take your point.

Thanks a lot Berrybunny

I think it has a negative image, but that depends on how others see it. There have been times when I have openly said that I have Autism, but others see it as a negative. But I'm saying it as a positive, I have a sunflower lanyard, I wear it when I'm out, but again others might see it as a negative and won't know what to do,  

I'm open about being autistic, I don't see why I should have to hide it anymore than I should a broken leg. It does cause some strange and hurtful reactions with some people, like the woman who said 'but you are normal aren't you?' But then I guess I can do this because I'm well able to stand up for myself, both verbally and physically if the need should arise.

I think us older ones should be more open about it, I think we do a disservice to ourselves and those younger than us. The wider world needs to know we exist and in large numbers, as we age we are going to face different challenges and people who diagnose and look after people with dementia need to know our needs as will care home workers. Younger people need us to advocate for them and for them to advocate for us too for that matter, young people and thir parents need to see us, that we're mostly ordinary people, with ordinary jobs, ordinary live's and relationships. I think many people need that sort of reassurance that a diagnosis isn't the end of the world, we just have different need and challenges, I mean is it really so unreasonable to want a quiet workplace and have our physical space respected?

I do respect and understand why some people feel unable to be out with their autism though, people can be so ignorant and cruel and if you have to be around people like all the time then coming out, will feel  like a dangerous option.

Of course it has a negative image, that's why I don't discuss it in normal conversation with outsiders.  I don't want to be shunned any more than I already am.

No need to apologise. Some days can be like that, its good you are open when you feel like that.

Talking helps.

You aren't broken, your fine just as you are <3

Theres a serious lack of understanding and unfortunately I think overall its seen negatively. A good example is when my mum told our neighbour Im autistic our neighbour said oh I'm so sorry.

People don't understand autism and its seen in this negative light. There's better understanding than there used to be I guess but its still not as good as it should be.

White_Dragon said:

It seems like a real barrier to me in terms of being open about being autistic when its potentially perceived in negative way?

Same for me.

I tell no one but my family because you just don't know how peeps will react when you tell them. When it came up randomly with my mum and our neighbour the way the neighbour spoke about it made it sound like I had an incurable disease.

Wish it was better understood.

Thanks Tears you make a good point

Just a quick note to say: you owe no-one an explanation or disclosure about your autism and it's useful (for me at least) to remember that the large majority of malefactors are neuro-typical. Just cuz the media fail to add "who wasn't autistic" to their articles doesn't mean it isn't true!

Thanks for everyones posts. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself yesterday when I asked this question. I am still trying to get my head around things/come to terms with things and then something pops up on that makes me think of myself as being broken again.