Are you secretive or open about it?

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i posted my diagnosis on my facebook page along with a link to "Dude, I'm an Aspie"
its not like being diagnosed changes anything about me, it just gives an explanation.

I will be secret about my diagnosis when I get one (possibly tomorrow), as people (NT) assume autism means you're ret*d. Not to mention no one will believe me anyway and don't even know what it is, so there is no point.

My sentiments exactly since my diagnosis... I feel like it's important for my friends and family to understand me so it makes sense to me to share it, along with any links or other info I think are important. I got some abuse from my sisters who are now not speaking to me, god knows what they hope to achieve with that, but I guess it's just part of reducing stigma and advocating for oneself. Also, it's a very quick way of outing the people who will treat you badly because of being diagnosed autistic, which is probably better done early on! Saves one from putting up with continued abuse as time goes on.

I try to act like an NT, but I still tell people what I have AS.

I don't need to tell anyone because I get embarrassed. I'm not sure if it's because I'm highly ashamed of having it, because of all the symptoms are so crazy (I mean, who can be proud of having meltdowns?!) Anyway, I show more Aspie traits at home than when I'm out, so why do my friends need to know?
With employers, however, it is best that they are aware, because of my intense absent-mindedness and slowness, which does and will affect my work. It's better the boss to know about my stupidity (realistically it's not stupidity, but to others it is) than to think I'm ''too slow'' then sack me. I don't want to be sacked either. But because I feel really embarrassed and ashamed of telling the employer face-to-face that I have this awful disability, I have got the job-centre to phone up and tell them. It's just the best way to do it for me, don't care how stupid it sounds.

I guess I would say I am rather indifferent about it.........if the topic comes up then yeah I may mention it, but I am not totally secretive or totally open.

In general, I much prefer to get it out in the open. In my experience, people are a lot more tolerant of social difficulties and personal quirks if they're aware that these things stem from a recognised condition. Of course, I do find it sad that it seems to be considered acceptable to show such intolerance if another person's differences cannot be chalked up to disability, but that's a matter apart...

Ya, unless you have a chance to explain everything, society can be really unkind and lacking in compassion, which leads to bullying problems etc. Knowing how intolerant people might otherwise be is what helped me decide to tell people. I still feel scared telling people about it because I'm scared of what their reactions might be, and I get frustrated with people who disbelieve without giving me a chance to explain what autism is. But I think that weird embarrassed feeling will go away over time. Facebook has been so helpful in this matter.

I'm not open about it. But then again, I'm not really open about anything.

I don't know yet, I haven't known my diagnosis for long enough to decide. Reading what has been written above, I expect I'll keep it to myself, mostly, as long as I remain in Texas.

I wanted, at first, to make a t-shirt. Front: I have Aspergers. Back: I'm sorry if I offended you. My therapist pointed out that I was looking to absolve myself of responsibility for my actions, and he was right. "Gee, doc, the way you say it, it sounds like a bad thing!"

But seriously, I'll probably end up telling people who enjoy my company after a while.

I don't believe in doing things I'm ashamed of, or being ashamed of myself. I either stop doing them, or get over feeling ashamed about doing something that doesn't hurt anyone.

And NTs say that ASD people are the ones who lack empathy for other people's feelings and emotions!