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"Coming Out"

Trainspotter

I know it does not suit everyone to 'come out' about their autism and autistic tendencies. 

However, personally I am a great believer in letting others know of problems that I have that may offer some explanation, for their sake as much as mine.

I was diagnosed just before Christmas at the age of 62.  My behaviour and strange comments and misunderstandings, and 'losing it' have been great discussion points I'm sure among the chattering classes at work since time immoral, long before I was diagnosed.  My manager is aware of my condition (although she does not seem to understand in what way it affects me), and I have told some trusted colleagues and have got noting but support from them.

So now, as I am about to have a workplace assessment for what adjustments can be put in place, I think it is time I 'came out' about my condition.  However, I can't think that everyone will be sympathetic - to some, they will think it is some sort of excuse, a get out of jail free card, a way of avoiding certain tasks.  And I certainly don't want people to treat me as if I can't do anything by myself.  I am just the same person I ever was, however my outbursts, shouting and seemingly unacceptable behaviour at times can be explained.

I am seeking funding so a local support group can give some training to my work colleagues about autism and think this will be useful.  But I don't know whether I should have an announcement made to my colleagues beforehand or just tell someone who I know won't keep their mouth shut and just let it take its natural course. Or should I just leave it to someone else to say.

I know I have nothing to be ashamed of (and also that it is really none of anyone elses business apart from I think it will really make things easier for me in the long run, so why am I so apprehensive about all this?  After all, homosexuality was kept 'under the carpet' in the not so distant past and it is now accepted by all but ignorant bigots as something that is just a normal part of some people's lives.

Parents

  • I am now going through the office telling people.  I must say that so far I have had nothing but support.

    The biggest surprise I had though was by telling someone who I was sure would just make some stupid remark, who I was sure would just think it was an excuse.  I could not have been more wrong.  She was very supportive and even apologised for some of the things she had said about me before she knew.  She said that it all fits into place about how I was and asked why I had not told her before.

    I am not going down the 'big announcement' route.  Rather I am telling peple one by one, and if they choose to tell others I am not bothered.  I am finding that people are not so bigoted as I thought they may be and that I am getting very genuine helpful reactions.  My workplace may be the exception but perhaps we tend to misjudge people on the basis of how we think they are. 

    But so far it has been a very positive thng

Reply

  • I am now going through the office telling people.  I must say that so far I have had nothing but support.

    The biggest surprise I had though was by telling someone who I was sure would just make some stupid remark, who I was sure would just think it was an excuse.  I could not have been more wrong.  She was very supportive and even apologised for some of the things she had said about me before she knew.  She said that it all fits into place about how I was and asked why I had not told her before.

    I am not going down the 'big announcement' route.  Rather I am telling peple one by one, and if they choose to tell others I am not bothered.  I am finding that people are not so bigoted as I thought they may be and that I am getting very genuine helpful reactions.  My workplace may be the exception but perhaps we tend to misjudge people on the basis of how we think they are. 

    But so far it has been a very positive thng

Children
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