Do you hide your Autism from NT's?

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i appreciate all of your candid responses so far
thank-you guys (:

Only for job interviews, and for dealing with intolerant clients (the company I work for does IT contracting). I have to occasionally deal with a school (and another in the past) that tended to complain to my boss for every little thing. Surprise, surprise, Aspie traits are some of the things they complained about (these schools are run by very xenophobic people who don't like outsiders or anyone perceived as different; I'm an outsider to them, so they automatically don't like me). As a result, in addition to being careful to hide my traits as best as possible, I've taken on a policy of, get in, do what I need, and get out; and avoid interacting with them as much as possible. Don't tell them what I'm doing except in the vaguest terms, either.

The ultimate lessons I learned from this are:

Some people may still freak out, even schools that should know better.

Never, ever take a job that involves me working in that city again, or any other location strongly under the influence of a certain organization which shall not be named. Dislike of outsiders = automatic hostile work environment, no matter whether you're Aspergers, HFA, or neurotypical.

I don't tell to most NT's as they lack understanding i just keep it to myself.

I used to but then it got too exhausting. People always called me "eccentric."

I believe that you should use intimidation back.

I am only a small bloke 5ft 8ins, my gift is to make NT's doubt themselves.

I really mean it.....

1. I'm male
2. I have a shaved head
3. I was in the Army. That's where i got my rigid routine.
4. I can have a row.

It work's because I never lie you can read me like a book, and NT's can see it.

So instead of them picking on you they doubt them self.

It works for me

I do not hide it at all. I do not have a brain that even thinks to hide or disguise what I am. That seems to imply an awareness of how others are going to receive or comprehend the said information, (ToM) and that is actually not a strong point in my interpersonal relating.

I am what I am.
I do what I do.
I say what I say.

in my life i have often wished this was not the case...but it is.

I've spent my whole life hiding it. (I'm 42.) I'm the opposite to Millie--hyperaware of what people think, what they expect and want from me (normal behavior), and ever since I first became aware of that as a little girl, I've worked very hard to give them what they want.

It lets me fit in, but it's a lot of hard work, and it takes a heavy toll (depression). I'm slowly trying to let go of the outward focus and the empathic desire to please others, but it's slow going and hard to do. I'm scared of what'll happen if I let myself be the way I am even if others find it weird.

Five years ago, when I first realized autism applied to me, I let myself start rocking again--when I was alone. Slowly expanded that to rocking when my husband or kids are around, though it was hard not to feel stupid/silly/like someone was going to call me ret*d (flashback to early grade school). Now I'm getting to the point where I'll let myself do it whenever I feel like doing it (which is quite often right now), and sometimes I'm even able to stop being hyperconscious that other people can see me.

Eventually this is all supposed to lead to me not hiding my autism at all anymore. Which I'm assuming will relieve the depression and anxiety I so often feel.

I dont tell them because theres nothing "wrong" with me. Im just me.

I don't make any effort to hide it, I'll tell people I'm getting to know, but I remember when I was in the mental hospital the nurses were convinced I was incorrectly self-diagnosed and kept asking me if I was self-diagnosed.farther more I did shock a few people with my intellect

I've tried to act normal around NTs, but for some reason they still treat me like I'm mentally "slow" or something. It's like I give off these weird vibes and they can sense that something's "not right" about me. Even my nieces and nephews can sense it, and that's why it's been really difficult to earn their trust.

I just try to talk more often. Other than that I think my presentation is normal enough to any decent NT. Eccentric is not a bad label.

Telling anybody about AS is a big no for me unless it benefits me significantly.

Yes. I keep my mouth shut as much as possible. When someone talks to me, I answer them with what I know they want to hear.

I hide it from most people, though I have only trusted my friends with telling them about my diagnosis.
I at least try to make my eye contact as normal as possible because in the past I had gotten in trouble for staring.