An Experiment in College

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So, I'm doing a kind of social experiment. I've told numerous people in a lot of my college classes that I fully believe that I have Asperger's. I know they know something is "different" or "off" about me, but they can never quite put their finger on what it is... until I tell them. Then they usually say "Wow! Really? But you seem so normal/smart." I decided that I won't be telling anyone from here on out: I will no longer disclose my "label" to people. I've noticed something major: people approach me and seem to talk to me a lot now. Before, when I told other classes (in Human Services classes, which is ridiculous in itself), people stopped speaking to me altogether, or spoke to me like I was strange afterward. They didn't treat me the same way. I want to see if people treat me normally and better if I stop disclosing my label. Thus far, it's working. It's pretty sad that this is the case. I don't see how putting a label like that on myself is bad, but people don't always embrace difference.

Has anyone else done something like this before? I'm curious what your guys' results have been. Did people treat your better or worse after your disclosing being autistic? I'm pretty sure I can't be the only person who's been curious about how people react.

Last edited by Kinme on 06 Feb 2013, 4:13 am, edited 1 time in total.

Ohh dang....

I've just been diagnosed with Aspergers. I was thinking that making it known that I have aspergers will make it better for me or something, like everyone will feel sorry for me maybe. But I've got extreme social anxiety, so most people know that I'm a bit weird socially.

Thats shocking that people act differently after you've told them you're aspie...

Hmm now I'm not sure whether to tell other people or not. I'll be watching this thread closely to see how other people were responded to.

I'm very curious as well. Have you told anyone yet? Well, other than WP? :p If I were you, and thanks to my own experience, I wouldn't unless you want to test the waters with people. See if they'll accept you unconditionally...

I havent told anyone as yet. Whats WP? I did tell a good friend before hand I think I might have it (he might also have it in my opinion). So he was cool about it. But thats because he is also socially weird and anxious like myself. Probably why we hang out together.

But as yet I wonder whether I should tell others. My strategy was to tell only a few people and then let gossip spread... I think telling people directly takes the awe out of it. However I dont know this is just all in my imagination so far..

Basically I'm going to process the diagnosis by myself for a few weeks before I tell anyone else. I'm also trying to decide whether the label has impacted my own consciousness. I'm askin myself whether it was a good idea or not to get diagnosed. hmmmm I dont know yet. I dont want to get boxed into an aspergers mindset or anything.

I wouldn't tell anyone.

I think some people in a different thread were saying that once people know about your "disability", they most likely won't be bad to you because someone who treats a "disabled" person badly will be seen as a cruel/mean person and they don't want to be seen as such.

On the other hand, I know some people are ignorant enough to think people with AS are dangerous/deviant/evil. So, some people might actually avoid you after you tell them about AS.

I have never said anything to anyone about it (I'm not diagnosed yet any way). As I always say, once you say something to someone, you can't unsay it. If not necessary, don't say it.

Nobody has treated me any different that I've noticed. I've been very open about it.

I have been treated differently through school for being "different, weird, odd" and a handful of other things.
Diagnosis or not back then it didn't matter people would just make fun for something.

As an adult, other people who know me well enough to have been in conversations with me (neighbors) can tell that i am off. I tend to zone out during conversations and i don't do eye contact well at all. Fortunately our neighbors aren't judgemental they have sons how have the bi-polar also, and some have drunk husbands so they don't judge me to my face.
My gf/wife is usually with me and talks to the neighbors who would mainly talk to her. However if she's not home they will ask me for help with random things like getting the cordless phone to work...

When we go out in public to do things such as to the bank and say it's those times where we are sitting across from an employee that talks at you. They focus on talking to my wife as after a few minutes i'm usually gone and zoned out the window. This happened at the bank whatever the employee was talking about i feel bad it was boring, i just left and was so gone. My wife knows how i do and buffers or picks up the weight of the convo for me which i am greatful for.

I don't tell anyone my diagnosis however i have dog tags (military style ones) that the medical alert and the autism ribbon the other side says "person with Autism may not respond to verbal commands." Nobody has questioned why i wear them the neighbor kids actually like them. Only those who are living next door know why i have them on, others could think i am in support (i am that too)

It really depends on the person
Older people will react better than younger
Smarter people will react better than dummies

people fear what they dont know or understand

At school acceptance from peers is paramount
When you get older you dont care about others opinions so much

I used to reach out to others and spread the autism message
I still do, but not nearly as much, and actively avoid many types instead

key people like those who work in journalism, health and education, still get autism talk from me, as its a way to improve life and pave the way, for other aspies after me

Gauge the other person, before you begin aspie talk
Some persons like youngsters can not handle it

Only a few rare people can talk at a heightened level of honesty
Many [living in delusion] have their consciousness pricked too hard
By honest admissions of weakness

The poll at the top make little sense.

I picked Pikaaa Pikaaaa Pikachu

Yeah, I was wondering about that, too, but too embarrassed to ask. I thought it meant something to other people. What are they? I'd pick apples.

I've only told a handful of people. The people close to my age who have found out are pretty resistant to the idea, for whatever reason. Like the OP said, their first reaction is that it's not possible and I seem fine, which is an unbearably hypocritical statement from people who have specifically pointed out how strangely I act (not necessarily in a negative manner, more, bemused). With older people, it's been easier and they generally have more respect for the psychologist's opinion and the assessment's validity. The overwhelming vibe I've gotten so far, though, is to try and keep it to myself unless it serves a specific purpose. I have a lot of respect for people who are like 'screw it, I'll tell whoever, whenever!' but I feel too uncomfortable, I guess.

I wanted to pick pickles but the only options are dinosaurs, apples and Pikachu.

wtf.

I only tell people that ask specifically

That was the point of it. ;D