How do I tell my boyfriend I have HFA/AS?
iheartmegahitt
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Joined: 9 Sep 2010
Age: 36
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I don't recognize it because it's a ridiculous notion. I have a feeling only autistic people believe in relationships of the sort Iheartmegahitt is describing..
@ Lene. I've never been in PPR but I'll check it out. I'm not trolling her thread from my point of view - I'm simply trying to inject her with reality.
I don't need your reality. I mean you come here trying to understand those with AS, or so you claim, and all you are doing is changing us. We have different views than you. We see things differently. If you are only here to throw your opinions, then you shouldn't be here at all. You have no idea how hard it is for this with AS so why bother even saying any of your opinions?
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Diagnosed with an autistic disorder (Not AS but mild to moderate classic Autism), ADHD, Learning Disability, intellectual disability and severe anxiety (part of the autism); iPad user; written expressionist; emotionally-sensitive
I'm sure you mean well, but that's not what iheartmegahitt asked for and she's entitled to make her own decisions in life. You're actually being quite insensitive.
You've made your point, but I don't think you'll change anyone's mind here, so yeah, PPR's the place to go; plenty of debators there who will be more than willing to argue things out.
Last edited by Lene on 01 Jun 2011, 4:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
Seph
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Joined: 24 May 2011
Age: 48
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Location: In a space station in orbit around Saturn
Your example highlights the inherent unreality of online 'relationships' for people who believe in them. I know someone myself who sold her house and moved to America from the UK to be with someone and it lasted not much longer than a week. If you read online this happens A LOT. Especially in comparison to the way a traditional relationship is formed.
Ah... That's where you're coming from. Gotcha.
I understand the likelihood of things not working out. This is why I've expressed my concerns and said what I did about moving to Japan. In spite of the chances I really don't see a problem with the concept of LDR. I think it can be a safe way for people with ASD to meet people when they don't have many chances in real life. I also think developing relationships online can help someone with ASD to grow as a person. I personally don't discount the experience.
My engagement failed probably due to my bipolar. Not inherently due to it being a LDR.
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Why oh why didn't I take the BLUE pill? -Cypher, Matrix
Seph
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Joined: 24 May 2011
Age: 48
Gender: Male
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Location: In a space station in orbit around Saturn
I do recognize that I am being judgmental, yeah. If it's hurtful then it's because some people shy away from common sense in the context of this thread. These 'stories throughout history' - were the 'relationships' between people who had never met or who had met first then carried on the relationship via letters? Who am I to say what I'm saying? I'm a sane person.
I worked with one such example that actually did work out. And it really was a LDR where the person didn't meet in person before having the LDR.
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Why oh why didn't I take the BLUE pill? -Cypher, Matrix
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Deinonychus
Joined: 12 Jan 2009
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Posts: 363
Location: United Kingdom
I do recognize that I am being judgmental, yeah. If it's hurtful then it's because some people shy away from common sense in the context of this thread. These 'stories throughout history' - were the 'relationships' between people who had never met or who had met first then carried on the relationship via letters? Who am I to say what I'm saying? I'm a sane person.
I worked with one such example that actually did work out. And it really was a LDR where the person didn't meet in person before having the LDR.
I'm not saying someone cannot have a relationship with someone they met for the first time online. But the relationship begins after a person meets them in real life, in my mind.
We talk on facebook because he's been very busy. So webcamming is really rare for us. I love him regardless so what is your point?
No that does not count. I don't think he's a sex predator but I do think you're living in cloud cuckoo land if you think you're in a relationship with someone based on 'webcamming'. If you have met someone in real life and you are in a relationship with someone in real life and then you or they move away I believe then and only then would it be classed as a 'relationship'. You can't reverse this process and meet someone online and then declare yourself as 'in a relationship' without meeting them first. That's so absurd I want to hit you over the head with my keyboard.
I don't think you remember the conversation I had with you before. I think you should think about what was said then before you post again.
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Your relationship is your relationship, generalizations have no bearing on it because you are an individual.
Anyway, back to your original question:
I do not see why you should tell your boyfriend you have HFA/AS/"other label". There's than expression, that telling someone something they do not understand is the same as telling them a lie. In my personal experience, telling someone you have "diagnosis" just opens a can of worms, and gives them all sorts of bad ideas. He might look up an article about Aspergers and have to sort through the misconceptions society has. He'll think you have a "male brain" and you have no empathy, you're immature and don't know how to love, that you can't do all sorts of things.
Instead, just deal with specific things as they come up. If you have trouble socializing, just say you have trouble socializing. Saying its because of aspergers does not make it any more or less legitimate. If you have sensory issues about xyz, just say you have sensory issues about xyz.
I'm scared you guys...
Have you already talked to him about the functional challenges that you have, e.g. with doing chores and things like that? If you have then to my mind you've effectively already covered off what it means, the rest is just the labelling of that.
Also, ignore that angry person with the long number username.
I'm in a long-distance relationship, not as long a distance as yours, but hopefully I can help somehow, even a little?
Opinions are good and all, but only if they are helpful and constructive, so I'd do as nostromo suggests and ignore any comments made about what constitutes as a relationship and what does not.
A long distance relationship is still a relationship, and my AS partner and I find communicating online easier than in person.
It depends on what you have already mentioned to him, but online it can be much harder to tell these things, much like how it's hard to tell someone's age or gender when talking online.
It's important to let him know though. It'll help both of you avoid any complications or worries.
I know things like that can be hard to just blurt out, it took me some time to admit my General Anxiety Disorder for example, but GAD is different to AS so I don't know if I can compare.
There's nothing bad that can come out of mentioning it, even if you feel that way, the only thing you'd be doing is providing your boyfriend with more information about yourself, which is always good to do
I'd suggest trying to bring the subject up, and then mention some of the things you have difficulty with or things you have come across etc etc as any brief/general information you give about AS to your partner may not always apply to you, and it'll help them understand yourself better rather than the dictionary definition of AS so to speak. It may also feel more natural to say if you just mention these things too?
I would suggest sending him a note on facebook mentioning that you have certain difficulties, explain what those are, and then mention that what you're describing is HFA/AS. It can be an awkward and nervous subject to bring up these things, but it'll feel like a relief when your boyfriend responds in an interested or accepting way
About being scared about your parents...I worry about mine too, the best thing you can do is be there for them for now and help them out whilst you can. Don't worry about the future, just concentrate on the time you have with them now. Live day by day and try and spend some time with them. I'm not sure what the circumstances are, but just enjoy your time with them that you have right now.
I hope my ramblings helped you a little somehow x.x *feels unhelpful as usual*
SyphonFilter
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Location: The intersection of Inkopolis’ Plaza & Square where the Turf Wars lie.
I don't recognize it because it's a ridiculous notion. I have a feeling only autistic people believe in relationships of the sort Iheartmegahitt is describing..
@ Lene. I've never been in PPR but I'll check it out. I'm not trolling her thread from my point of view - I'm simply trying to inject her with reality.
Do you think you're cool by coming in here and posting cr*p like this? Here's something that may come as a surprise to you: your sense of reality is not absolute! Relationships don't need to be face-to-face. Maybe yours do, but some prefer other methods of communication. Webcams are every bit as real as being face-to-face with your boyfriend/girlfriend. Saying that only autistics believe long-distance relationships work reflects ignorance. plain and simple. Before you tell Iheartmegahitt (or anybody else on WP) that long-distance relationships don't work, you need to know what it means to live with an ASD.
I don't think I can add anything to what sunflowerpip already said regarding the subject of telling your partner, listen to her.
He was trying to open up her eyes about her severe naivety about online relationships, something she will have to face sooner or later. Why are you so angry?
As yet another person who is in a long-distance relationship, and knows how much work and pain it is, I feel that it is my duty to break this to you: You can not see the full picture of another person through a webcam. There is no way you can tell if the relationship will work in real life, unless you actually meet in real life, and it is highly risky to consider a love relationship based only on online contact very serious, when you in fact have no idea about how the other person is outside what he chooses to tell you.
I am not saying that there is anything wrong with dating online or continuing a relationship that way, but you should understand the risks involved and avoid investing yourself too much before you have met in person, otherwise meeting reality could end up destroying your trust in people, which is something you should never allow to happen.
Before you jump on me, please understand that life is not always what you expect it to be. I know that long-distance relationships can work if you make the effort to actually meet the other person, but you need to keep your feet on the ground if you don't want to get more hurt than necessary.
In response to the original post:
Here are some things to consider/ask yourself/ask him:
Is AS/HFA causing any problems in the relationship currently?
Later in the relationship, could it cause any problems? (As in how would it affect the relationship if you ever become more intimate; doesnt matter if it is staying online or meeting in person.)
How easily are the problems worked around? Does/Would it require more effort from him, or you?
What are his expectations of you? (This affects how much effort you would have to put forth)
What are his expectations of himself? (This would determine how much he would be willing to work to help you overcome difficulties you have, if you need him to)
If the problems can be worked around without ever bringing up AS/HFA then don't even bring it up. If he is understanding in your troubles with social and possibly sensory/functional issues, then you are fine.
If, however, he is not understanding your disabilities even after you explain it, and it is causing problems between the two of you, then tell him that everything you have been describing is what AS/HFA is. Tell him nothing about you has changed because you told him you have it.
To put it simply, anyone can respect that someone has trouble with certain aspects of life. Everyone has their quirks.
Few understand the degree of that difficulty (or impossibility) that people with AS/HFA have with certain things.
So the only reason to tell him you have it, is if he expects you to do something you literally can't, and he doesn't understand that you are not just "being difficult"/stubborn/unsympathetic (whatever the problem may be)
I have a long distance relationship. It has been going on for 5 years. I have met the awesome guy twice in person throughout this period, for a few days each time mostly under parent supervision. We are going to move together if we stay together until we get the opportunity.
I must note, if neurotypicality had a spectrum, my BF would be on an extreme end. XD
He doesn't understand that my difficulties can't be overcome just by motivation and support, and he doesn't understand what AS/HFA really is, and so refuses to believe I have it.
HOWEVER, despite all of this, he still loves me and doesn't give up in trying to help me in his own way.
So, unless your boyfriend has a phobia of disabilities, or is paranoid it could affect his image in a negative way, I think you are safe. The fact he is dating someone who is not Japanese is a good sign he is probably more open minded than some in the culture.
If he is paranoid that it will affect his image, you can always say no one has to know it other than him, and you are only telling him because he might need to know.
I mean, if you're high functioning many people might not even notice, especially in a Japanese culture, as someone mentioned in the thread earlier.
I hope this helps. If I have been unclear, please ask for clarification. I also apologise if I have said anything offensive.
Good luck with your relationship, and I suggest ignoring anyone who wants you to think it can't work successfully. Even if you never move together, even if it fails, it's not your fault. Just remember that. Do what you think is right, or rather, don't stress yourself trying to pretend to be someone you are not.
SyphonFilter
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Posts: 2,161
Location: The intersection of Inkopolis’ Plaza & Square where the Turf Wars lie.
He was trying to open up her eyes about her severe naivety about online relationships, something she will have to face sooner or later. Why are you so angry?
As yet another person who is in a long-distance relationship, and knows how much work and pain it is, I feel that it is my duty to break this to you: You can not see the full picture of another person through a webcam. There is no way you can tell if the relationship will work in real life, unless you actually meet in real life, and it is highly risky to consider a love relationship based only on online contact very serious, when you in fact have no idea about how the other person is outside what he chooses to tell you.
I am not saying that there is anything wrong with dating online or continuing a relationship that way, but you should understand the risks involved and avoid investing yourself too much before you have met in person, otherwise meeting reality could end up destroying your trust in people, which is something you should never allow to happen.
Before you jump on me, please understand that life is not always what you expect it to be. I know that long-distance relationships can work if you make the effort to actually meet the other person, but you need to keep your feet on the ground if you don't want to get more hurt than necessary.
Yeah, I agree that sooner or later, she'll have to meet the guy face-to-face. However, webcamming can be a good start to a relationship before she's ready to meet him in person.
Oh, and did I come across as angry? If I did come across as angry, thanks for telling me (because I wasn't, though I don't want to send the wrong message).
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