Disclosure: "I have Autism" VS "I have Aspergers"

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After reading your replies, from hereon, i will refrain from referring to my beloved husband as "Aspie"...Although he is yet undiagnosed, he meets the criteria of High Functioning Autism...And so, like some of you, i thought "Aspie" for "Asperger's Syndrome" is appropriate because it is specific...But, i realized that just stating here in WP that "He is on the Autistic spectrum" should suffice...Thank you...I am always learning from you all...

I’m officially diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, I usually just tell people I’m on the autism spectrum. I’m on the severe / low-functioning side for an Aspie (probably moderate instead of mild ASD), not at all what people usually think of when they think Asperger’s. Saying I’m autistic gives them a better idea and is not quite as likely to make them set their expectations of me so very high (which is a constant problem for me, I’m so often overestimated and then accused of just not trying hard enough or not caring when I can’t meet people’s expectations). Saying I’m on the autism spectrum doesn’t place me at the “high-functioning”/“mild” or “low-functioning”/“severe” end, neither of which fit me, so it’s my default.

Neither.
Let them guess; from ASD to absent-minded moody weirdo.


Actually, in real life, I've never ever spoken that I'm an aspie, in the spectrum, nor say have autism.

I've only ever orally said once to someone that I'm autistic -- and it was to a short time acquaintance who already knew my case enough for that.

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I am planning on disclosing to my sister when I see her again. I think her most likely reaction will be along the lines of "no sh*t, Sherlock" . She has worked as a preschool teacher not long ago, so is probably quite familiar with the condition. So I am thinking any of the terms will do fine. I prefer ASD, but I think she might realize we use autism interchangeably now. I don't like Asperger's since it implies there are only 2 presentations of ASD which is far from the truth.

It's very rare for me to disclose but the few times I have I said I have Aspergers. I'm more worried about people underestimating my capabilities and being condescending than I am about people expecting me to do things I can't. I'm a lot milder than what most people think of when they think of Autism and I doubt that most people would believe me if I said I'm autistic.