How do deal with direct questions about autism interest

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I'm trying to form an interest group at my university for neurodiversity. A student has already directly asked me and the faculty advisor on this project what our "personal interest" in autism is. I've come across this before. I don't have a problem stating my personal involvement with autism, but it's off-putting to people newly involved.

People who want to get involved in neurodiversity or my student projects should not have to answer questions about whether or not they are autistic or know autistic people. What's a polite way to say this when people prod and ask what their "personal interest" is? I desperately want to keep the faculty interest I have and I don't want anyone to not work with me because they don't want to have to justify "personal interest."

Could something be written into the description or overview of the group that states that everyone is welcome and somehow outlines a policy of not asking or non disclosure? I could see why such an issue would make some uncomfortable.

That's a good idea.

This kind of question is always asked when meeting new people in a sign language class, deaf culture class, or any deaf event really. The idea is "maybe you are deaf too and we have common struggles and life experiences, or maybe you know someone else who is deaf or Deaf, I know them too, and we have that in common". It is meant to help build connections; when you are dealing with a problem that tends to isolate people (like autism or deafness) you need help to make those connections. It is not seen as an invasion of privacy in the deaf community, because it is usually a source of pride to belong to the community (whether you are deaf, know someone who is, or just support the deaf community).

Though my symptoms are very disabling, I am not ashamed of them - I was ashamed when I thought it was due to character flaws - so, I have no problems disclosing this information.

_________________
31st of July, 2013
Diagnosed: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Auditory-Verbal Processing Speed Disorder, and Visual-Motor Processing Speed Disorder.

Weak Emerging Social Communicator (The Social Thinking-­Social Communication Profile by Michelle Garcia Winner, Pamela Crooke and Stephanie Madrigal)

"I am silently correcting your grammar."

This isn't the kind of question you can prevent from being asked. Especially for a focus group, it's the slightly more thought out version of "why are you here?" It doesn't matter what group you go to this question comes up and I think you'd be better off discussing this question with those who are might be uncomfortable and coming up with effective strategies to deal with the question as it comes up. Something like, "I'm just friends with SocOfAutism and want to support her project, I'm not really comfortable discussing my own situation right now." Regardless, I get that people will avoid an environment that makes them uncomfortable, so make sure the environment is welcoming and non confrontational.
Good luck and stay safe,

Knofskia and Caelum: Good points. I guess I was thinking of people I've known in the past who didn't disclose, even casually, that they're on the spectrum or might be on the spectrum. I was thinking that I didn't want this to be like an AA meeting where everyone has to state their spectrum status up front. But you guys are right, it's natural for people to ask each other why they're interested. It's an interest group after all.