Covering ASD in uni/lecture

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Today our lecture was around childhood development. It didn't specifically cover ASD although it came up in some class discussions. We have a task to do for Monday though, which involves each person in one of 4 groups, covering one thing such as symptoms, how it's diagnosed, interventions etc. Each of the 4 groups is covering a different developmental condition. My group had Downs Syndrome and one of the other groups has ASD.

I guess I just don't really know how to handle the subject. I find it quite difficult hearing people discussing things that I know a lot about/am very affected by, when from listening to them, it's quite clear they aren't so knowledgeable/experienced around it. It's nothing personal against them, it's just how I feel.

It just so happens the next lecture to go over this, is next mon (23rd) when I have my assessment. I'll be missing the morning session for sure but should be (depending on how I am within myself after) able to attend the afternoon session/lecture.
Only two other people in my cohort (that I know of) are aware that I'm waiting for an ASD assessment, also my lecturers are aware. I personally don't think I have any issue with other people knowing and so part of me feels maybe if the opportunity arose, I'd somehow comment/disclose to the group in the lecture that I am on the spectrum (Providing I receive a positive diagnosis on Monday morning, though I personally see almost no reason why I won't). I mean of course I'd be extremely nervous about doing so but I strongly believe that there should be no reason why I should have to hide it (regardless of what the consequences are in reality) and perhaps it could go some way to educating people and challenging narrow ideas and stereotypes, especially with me being female.

Thoughts, advice?

I would advise against telling the group that you have autism right away after diagnosis.
Many people wanting to be diagnosed or just diagnosed after period of research really want to tell others, but I think that soon after diagnosis is not best time to tell others.

Thanks for your advise. Could you explain why?
To be honest I'm kind of glad I won't be there for the morning session, when the groups each have to present their points around each developmental condition, including the group doing ASD. I can't even really explain it properly but I am a bit anxious or agitated (I don't know really ) about going to the afternoon session still, as I don't know how much of the afternoon lecture/seminar will be around ASD and it will be really difficult to sit there, especially after my assessment in the morning.

I don't know I just sort of thought maybe it was an opportunity where I could or should say something.

I think if you are comfortable there is no reason you shouldn't disclose really. It WOULD be an excellent teaching moment. It sounds like the lecturers are already encouraging student participation and sharing etc. Providing your own input while they are going over it would be really helpful. You're going to know more about it than your classmates because you've LIVED it, and learned a lot about it on your own. Most people don't really know that much about it, and if they don't care much they're not going to go looking for the information. But having someone just GIVE it to them, and having it be a real life person that they may have interacted with before can be really helpful! It may help inspire some people to learn more about it, and at least put some knowledge out there that they are not likely to gain otherwise. There may be some negative backlash from ignorant students, as there always will be from anything that is stigmatized, but I feel that if you are comfortable and willing to deal with negative students, the positive outcomes from sharing what you know will definitely outweigh that.

When and how to disclose is always a really hard question. It could be a great teaching moment. Think about whether or not you want to be answering questions about yourself that your classmates might ask. If you get a chance to ask the person who is assessing you what their impression is about disclosing to your class, that might be useful.

Whenever I have considered disclosing my AS, I have generally asked people's opinions on whether or not I should, but have often ended up just following my gut. Most of my experiences disclosing have been positive, but not all. It's a very personal decision, and ultimately you are the only one who can make it.

Thanks for your replies. So far other than my tutor and lecturers who need to be aware, I haven't told any other students on my course, other than the two I'd been put in a group with back in September and mentioned about waiting for an assessment back then. If the need and opportune moment arises, then obviously I might decide to disclose to others but I don't want to make a big, awkward deal about it. I think actually, I'm glad I haven't disclosed it so widely for now anyway. I think being so newly diagnosed it's just more helpful to me, to have some time to digest things if that makes sense?

That makes perfect sense, and seems like a very reasonable way to go about it.

Thanks