Embarrassed or ashamed about having AS?

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I wanted to die a few times when my mom told people I had AS. She made it sound like I was really disabled, a poor pathetic victim but it's no one's fault but my head's... oh, God. And the books about itthat describe us that way too. They make us sound like we'll forever be pathetic and abnormal and an inconvenience and a burden, and always need help, and need to be taught stuff, as opposed to simply given an opportunity to explain why, being respected as a human being who had a right to speak for himself rather than an inferior that needs to be taught... I can't explain it. It's part of my resentment, part of the reason for my deep depression.

I used to be ashamed about having AS, but over time I've learned to embrace it.

There was a time when I would rather people think I was aloof, snobbish or an as*hole than know I have a mental disability (or a "physical problem in the head").

oh I tell people flat out now. I see no reason to hide it. Its also a great way to shut people up when they try to argue about my relationship skills.

Aggravation? Yeah. Shame? Never.
I had a mom the whole world is jealous they didn't have her. Whenever she found my behaviour hard to bear, she told herself that I likely needed to do what I was doing for survival. She liked me. She liked all her kids, and all her kids like each other. I wish everybody on Wrong Planet could have that. I have come to realize (it took only three or four decades) how very rare that is. The stories I hear on Wrong Planet make me weep. Why why why can't we humans accept each other's differences as interesting, not wrong?

i don't tell people anymore that i'm a Hyperlexic. and if i do i make it very clear i don't need sympathy nor do i want it. my mother would tell my teachers occassionally and no matter how you dress it up it makes it seem like something's really wrong with you, when really i don't feel that way at all.

i compare it to your race or sexual orientation. you should be proud, but don't let it be your defining characteristic.

Shame. Yes. I don't tell people. Telling people comes off as wanting sympathy. Not only that, they treat you differently. People won't want to hang out with you either when you tell them. But when you are around people you know, they will be more understanding. But who cares?

I don't let my AS get to me.

I don't think about my AS. I just live my life from day to day.

it gets to me when people think i use AS as an excuse not to try, instead of beleiving that i have been trying to do better.

I'm not ashamed at all about having AS. In fact, my recent diagnosis was a relief more then anything else. I knew that there was more going on then the Tourette's I was diagnosed with at age 11, and now that I know what it is, I can learn to make it work for me instead of against me.

Personally, I've moved past the point of shame or wishing to be normal. I've come to realize that AS and TS might also be responsible for positive things about me, not just my negative attributes. (being creative, intelligent, etc.)

who wants to adopt me?

Before I was diagnosed and had even heard of AS, I did feel ashamed of the things I struggled with as I thought it was just my fault for being stupid - a veiw that my parents, teachers and peers only reinforced!

Once I found out about AS and got diagnosed, I stopped feeling ashamed right away because I realised that there was nothing 'wrong' with me - I had just been struggling to make my way in a world that I didn't understand with no help whatsoever.

As long as you do your best and try to always be a good person, that is what counts.

As for the books and articles that give a very negative view of AS, we should write our own literature to re-educate people on this subject.