I think most of the general public do not know enough about the autism spectrum, even now, to know the traits/symptoms if they see them -- or even if the person has to describe to them which traits and symptoms they have. Many people may, for example, have seen the film "Rain Man" and believe that only people who behave like that portrayal are autistic, thus anyone who isn't like that can't be.
There needs to be a lot more information out there to help people understand that it's truly a wide-ranging spectrum on which some people's traits are obvious and appear clearly more classically, all the way up to some people who "seem normal" according to the general public, or who may be able to "hide" traits, yet who suffer from autistic impairments and are diagnosed also. It's such a wide spectrum with so many variations of presentation, some that can seem hidden, and some that can't.
I gather there can be talkative Aspies. I was the opposite when a child right through to twenties, I even went through a period of selective mutism when outside the house/in school. I didn't want to talk to anyone except family, and this continued into my twenties. And then in a massive case of "overcompensation" I became overly talkative because I was consciously forcing myself to be more social in a new situation m life went into -- which isn't exactly healthy or recommended, it's just what I found myself thinking I ought to be doing. I've gone more to a middle ground now, as neither extreme was good for me in terms of stress.
I've confided my seeking a diagnosis with two people. One of them doesn't know anything about autism or Asperger's, and he also does not know me well at all, has never seen me in different contexts and situations, and generally only runs into me in a relaxed setting where I've just been put in a good mood -- the best way I ever feel, in fact -- because I've been enjoying my special interest, which always finds me at my most happiest and stress free. He hasn't seen me at all other times, stressed or stimming. He laughed in my face and denied I could possibly be on the spectrum. That hurt, and I shut up and never spoke of it again.
The other person I shared my concerns with knows me better, happens to be training as a counselor (though not an autism specialist, granted), has seen me under various circumstances and in various frames of mind, and she had no trouble immediately accepting that I might be correct, in fact she was so accepting, that she just already believes I am, even pending my assessment, which is taking place soon now. She even told me that if my assessment brings out a "no," to get a second opinion, LOL!
Anyway, she's not the expert, although a third person who is already told me I'm likely to get a positive diagnosis.
Other than these people, I don't talk about it with anyone. That one acquaintance who doesn't believe it felt hurtful enough that I'm not sharing my concerns anymore. I get beaten up for it enough right here on WP...
I'm about to get my evaluation, so, time will tell, maybe he's right. But I think I know myself a bit better than he does. I've had 52 years to do so.
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Last edited by BirdInFlight on 15 Sep 2014, 11:48 am, edited 2 times in total.