Do you tell people you have Autism?

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Generally, I don't tell people. It's not really their business. My general philosophy on this, for myself, is that I try to act appropriately in social situations so it's not really an issue what my diagnosis is. With close friendships and relationships, I would tell them about my diagnosis but I wouldn't make a huge deal about it. I feel like my autism is a part of who I am, but it's not who I am.

Yes, because no matter how hard I try to fit in, I'm going to seem different, so I want people to know why I'm different instead of them just thinking I'm weird.

I avoid it as much as possible. Some people, who know what autism is, have figured it out pretty quickly, especially in college because my autism is more obvious there, and say at work. I have a feeling that people will judge me or treat me differently because I am autistic. I don't mean providing accommodations, but treating me like a child because they think that autistic people are unable to understand simple things. The only people who know are my family, my close friends and people who *need* to know, like doctors and disability services.

At work, none of my coworkers know, and I'm not sure if my boss knows or not. A family member (who knows), got me the job, and I'm not sure if he told my boss or not.

I agree with the OP, that autism is part of who I am, but not who I am and this comes into play too.

Not really, but I would if the subject ever came up.

I tell people who are close to me like good friends and I plan on telling anyone I am in a relationship with. Other then that though I keep it to myself. I don't ever flat out lie about it though and of the topic comes up then I will tell them.

Sometimes, if it's relevant to the conversation.

You just open yourself up to prejudice,

I would recommend keeping such things to yourself.

I've only told my immediate family, a few trusted friends, and my supervisors. Telling my supervisors was a necessity, since I was having some issues at work that were cleared up when they understood I wasn't doing things on purpose. I'd really like to tell everyone, since I dislike keeping secrets, but I worry that it would expose me to prejudice, especially at work. Coming out as a gay woman was a very positive experience, but I think that autism is so poorly understood by the public that it would not be the same.

I've only told two people (i've only been diagnosed for around a year); my friend and an aquaintence who i had an argument with about a communication issue so i felt it neccessary to explain. Ironically even though it went well i now don't feel comfortable talking to him so i've stopped responding.

I'm so introverted i don't feel there is a need, i don't really care if coworkers are frustrated by my lack of small talk in the kitchen or whatever. Knowing is largely for my benefit, finally understanding my idiosyncracies.

I'm gay and i have a similar attitude to telling people that too.

I am of the belief that prejudice and misunderstandings revolving around autism will only be solved when the general populace becomes more aware and accepting, and the only way for that to happen is for them to be made aware that we exist, and we are among them. Given this philosophy, I generally do tell people I have autism. All my friends and family know, as do my employers. All my professors at university knew, and I give lectures on autism every semester to college students taking abnormal psychology, so they all know. I have t-shirts, sweaters and pins which all say I'm on the spectrum, so strangers passing in the street know as well. I've even met a couple other aspies thanks to my shirts.

My most recent frustration has been concerning an upsurge in people calling me names like "weird", "nerd", "strange", "cute" etc. so I had a patch made that I'm going to sew to a baseball cap, which reads: "I'm not weird, nerdy, cute, strange, or stupid. I'm autistic, and I have feelings too." I think people sometimes get so caught up in the "abnormal" symptoms we're displaying, that they forget we're human too, and the words they use hurt.

^I agree totally! Well said, Seven!

If it somehow affected them or me, yes.

Neighbors know, as I don't want them to think I'm avoiding them on purpose or they think there's something nefarious about me due to how asocial I am.

I don't interact with people outside, so it doesn't come up otherwise.

Yes, I tell people when it seems relevant to do so. I don't hide that I am. Though I don't go around mentioning it on initial encounters. I stand as a person and individual, and I mention this aspect of information on me when seems relevant to the circumstance at hand.

Thanks Kuraudo!

Same! If someone were to ask, obvi I'd tell them. Otherwise, I don't tell anyone just because.

If it's relevant.

A teacher, a doctor, a police officer, a psychologist, a employer: all NEED to know about my limitations because of meltdowns, shut downs, schedules, following orders, etc.

A close friend, family member or romantic Interest should know to help them better understand behaviour and such.

Everyone else doesn't need to know and probably wouldn't know what to do with that information (I learned that the hard way, my dad said "Emily don't tell your diagnoses to EVERYONE"