Is awareness really a good thing?

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My family used to think I was "smart but eccentric"... Maybe with some mental health issues...

But now I talked to a couple of family members I haven't seen for a long time and they blurted out "you got that autism stuff?"

I'm like okay.... Is that going around my family's rumor mill now... but then he said he guessed it because he met someone else who had it...

Anyway I don't know how I feel being labeled with this by my family now because of awareness... Or the fact it must be true I've got obvious symptoms...

Is awareness like this good or bad...

In a supportive environment, it's good. In a lousy environment, it's going to be that much harder. Pros and Cons --- I'm going for more pros - to start I'm being very selective about my disclosure (with folks I know would be allies, or else are relatively non-consequential). As I gain confidence, I'll broaden my selection.

Like it's a rash! Maybe we can find some lotion to treat it . Sounds like they will need some education on ASD. I don't think all my family has heard about it but plan to disclose to most of them when I see them. I think it has been positive with the ones I've disclosed to.

In some situations it is a good thing to be aware. If a car is going to run you over, you need to move

In some situations, being aware of too many irrelevant things, distracting

When I was 21 and told my dad, Asperger's diagnosis. My precious lil "dad" had the nerve to tell me to take a prescription. Correct but that won't make autism go away

Then he dropped dead

With autism, it is usually bad because not enough people understand it.

If you need workplace accommodations, it may be better to ask for what you need.
The light in my office are bad. I need new ones. There was recently a discussion like that here.
An old timer suggested really bright ones, as that is what he needs. Someone else suggested full spectrum lamps.
I guessed that the lights were too bright.. Any one of us could have been right. How would your boss know?

full spectrum , average autistic worker can be quite diligent in their work with a little decent initial guidance . in my experience .

full spectrum , average autistic worker can be quite diligent in their work with a little decent initial guidance . in my experience .

I can see it now ... I come out as autistic, and ...

• "Oh, don't mind Fnordie; that's just his way. He's autistic, doncha know!" <nervous laughter> <whispers>

• "Thank you for the report. We all know this is your 'special interest' so I'll read it later." <tosses report in the trash>

• "I don't care. From now on, you don't come anywhere near my kids! Or. Else." <fists clenched>

• "I'm sorry. I just can't take it any more! Sign these." <hands me divorce papers>

... no ... no ... I see only bad things happening from other people's 'awareness' of my situation.

I've never been happy about the awareness thing at all. I have no interest in the general public being able to identify what I have. I'm very private, don't share stuff willingly. My business is just that.
I'm fine with being who I am, but will probably never be able to accept that it's down to having something. It's not about what the symptoms mean, it's the having it thing for me.
I also naturally wanna hide my weaknesses. Who doesn't?
And of course there is also the fact that it will change how you are treated and talked to by most.
Yeah no thanks. I'd rather be weird, eccentric and whatnot than the actual label. The label should only be for whoever I choose to disclose to.

I can imagine what would be said

"But you look okay."

"I knew you were always a bit different."

"I'm terminating your employment."

"You can forget about ever getting a date, let alone getting married. You will be 60, alone and adopting every stray cat and feeding every feral in the neighborhood." (Well, at least I'd have a cat.)

"You're unfit to do anything of real worth."

[imaginary]

Now, Skilpadde ... I know that's just the autism talking. You don't really feel that way! Here's a cookie. Why don't you find your blankie and go sit down in the corner ... that's it. Let the big people talk now, okay?

[/imaginary]

If anyone ever pulls that kinda shite on me in real life ...

And that speaker would be so wrong, and yet "right" in the wrongness. (the world's self-fulfilling promise)

I amend my post that the "benefit" of awareness is environmentally based to add that it is personality based also.

My ASD-like BFF is a very private person as the recent posts demonstrate. I guess this is where I am strong in my weakness --- I will put it out there (in moderation) and I will prevail (gently, or not). My mom says it's my astrological sign among other things: I am Fire (an extroverted one). My BFF is Water (an introverted one).

Wishing you find how the awareness serves you well.

Oh my God!! That is terrible! !! I can't even imagine. I am currently undergoing testing and seem like the weird one who always has to have noise cancelling headphones, a fidget toy of some kind, and needs to visit the privacy room to break down often. I thought disclosing after getting a diagnosis might help people understand what I'm going through, help me understand. After reading your comments, I am really afraid of ever telling anyone of my diagnosis. I know that is hard to recall in order to write what you did, but I am grateful as you have probably helped convince a few of us not to disclose. It is something very personal and it should be on a need to know basis. I definitely see value in better understanding yourself, but a diagnosis is really just for each individual's peace of mind and not for anyone else.

Uhh ... Nic? Please re-read the post. Maybe I wasn't clear, but these are hypothetical situations, as in "What if I came out to friends and family? I can see it now...".

I am sorry for creating confusion and anxiety.

The speaker was right in one aspect: I did have cats and do take care of ferals and neighborhood cats. That's really not so bad.

renting out space in my corner............ blankies optional..... talking optional.
real life optional.