Telling to people that you have Asperger

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In college or at work, it's a good or bad idea? Why?


(yeah I think about it, but I'm always afraid of rejection)

I think its better for them to not know that because if you expose that you have Asperger in college or work, then chances are that the result will not be pretty. Someone before noticed that i had asperger and the next day, they treated me like crap and ignore me.

Well... I don't have any practical experience since my diagnosis came in after I already was past the school phase and I haven't worked since my diagnosis.

But I suppose I'd only tell people if it's actually important. For friends and such I'd just be me, whre it acutally makes little difference. For schoolor work it might depend on whether you need support because of any impairments that come with how AS manifests in you.

Depends on whom you tell. Don't tell random people; tell the student disabilities office (at school) or HR (at work) if you need accomodations.

When dealing with individual people, I think it would be better to tell them about the specific symptoms that affect them. For example, if you refuse someone's party invitation, say that you have sensitive hearing or that you prefer one-on-one interaction. If you just say, "I have Asperger's," most people won't know why that prevents you from going to the party, but they might know just enough to stereotype you.

Unless you enjoy people projecting their prejudice and stigma toward you, then generally it's a very bad idea.

It may sound like a good idea but sometimes disclosing create even more mess about what people think of you than they normally would.
If the situation demands and/or if you feel comfortable there's no reason to do not say it, but you have to be careful.

I agree with a lot that's been already said... It's not really clearly a good idea or bad idea... It depends on who you're disclosing to, what the purpose is and. Other myriad factors...

I do a lot of soft disclosure around sensory sensitivity and not making eye contact to try and help people understand what goes on with me.

Just like a gay person doesn't have to tell every person they meet, "I'm gay, I'm gay, I'm gay," A person with ASD doesn't need to either. But I believe in the general principle of being open about it the way people are open about many things - but don't necessarily inform everyone they meet. I don't tell everyone I meet about my job or how much money I make or where I have previously lived - But if it should come up - I don't think there is anything to hide. What made life a lot less painful for most gay people is that they started to be open about it instead of living secret lives of shame. I think the same principle applies to being open about having ASD.

In general, unless clearly required, I think it best not to tell anyone outside certain immediate adult family (ie. spouse, parents).

An example of it being required would be if your case is severe enough to warrant special accommodations at a job or school. In which case you would need to justify why the accommodation is needed.

I think currently, and for the foreseeable future that being on the spectrum will be viewed negatively by the majority and the label will de-personalize you in other's eyes.

Another exception is someone you are in a close relationship with. But even then it is not necessarily something you would share in the beginning. I would think it only necessary in cases where the relationship has long term prospects.

Remember that once you tell even one person, the cat might be out of the bag. And once its out, you can't put it back in, short of moving and starting a new life somewhere far away.

This may sound really awful but I keep it a secret or try my best to hide it unless coming forward can benefit me in some way. Like for special accommodations, etc.

I tell everyone eventually.

Even work, usually after I've been there awhile. With girlfriends usually after she gets to know me. I say I have autism at first not I'm autistic (thats like saying I'm special) also I don't say I have mild autism, I say that I have autism but I function well.

Seems to work very well. And if I talk about my experiences enough people understand and start to mention my autism spontaneously when talking to me which is a great sign.

Not a good idea. I told someone who I thought was a friend. They turned on me. They now give me judgemental looks and are cold towards me. They don't say anything, but I know they look at me differently. Non judgemental by backside.

It depends on the situation. It's not something that I'd immediately bring up next to idle chit chat about the weather. My symptoms become rather evident in person, but like other people have mentioned, it's better to just explain what your specific problem areas are, e.g. eye contact, physical contact, etc. I think I'd only ever tell someone if they just couldn't understand what my issues were, regardless.

I guess it all depends on your own specific circumstances.

I have informed everyone at work (100+ people) about my diagnosis. No regrets, but Social Justice activism is one of my special interests. The only way to remove the stigma is to debunk the stereotypes and show people that we exist among them.