Do you feel comfortable when others know about your autism?

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Though I don't mind people to know about it but seems it may back-fire! I was diagnosed only about a year ago, and when I told my family about it, they don't seem to believe. They seem to think I'm making excuses for my past differences, seldom talk, sometimes weird character. They say they also had such character also, blah-blah-blah, all kinds of excuses to say I do not have the asperger. Instead of being compassionate, they make me feel that I always think wrongly.

I'm usually alone, people think I just like being alone, but it's not true, I just have no choice. When I tried talking to any person, they seemed to make quick excuses that they have something else to do and off they go! Seems to feel I'm a nuisance, so they avoid me. They seem to say they'd rather talk with others than me.

im sorry things are rough. and do i feel comfortable with other people knowing i have aspergers? depends on who i guess, but generally speaking..........f*** no (trust issues). lol.

I've very uncomfortable with people knowing I'm an aspie. Only a handful of people know about it. I have 4 kids, only 2 of them know. My husband knows. My best friend knows. Mostly, I don't want to tell too many people IRL unless they're already familiar and won't stigmatize me. I've got a good thing going socially where I am and I don't want to muck it up. I received my diagnosis after being married for years. I don't know what I would do if I had known before I got married.

Honestly, I think even if people do know they don't take it seriously or care.

I hate it when people know. I ended up flipping out at work a few months ago when one of my supervisors made an offhand comment implying she knew about it. I know some people around town know, not many, and frankly, I'm happier not knowing who. Sometimes it seems like it'd be easier having people sometimes understand, but I'd rather not make my problems theirs, and most people will either just ignore it, or think you're making it up, neither of which I like.

This.

This is my experience also. It' not my problem though. Most people who have anything to do with me know because of my site (aspergersgirl.com) If they think I'm full of it, they can jump in the lake. I'm not interested in having people like that in my life - It's hard enough as it is.

It only takes one as*hole to call child protective services to ruin your life for whatever reason. The coward doesn't even have to leave it's name just make up a reason and they will take them for 2 weeks. If I had kids I would not admit to being autistic.

It would be nice to be able to not care about what people think. It can be difficult though.

I try to act as normal in public as possible. i wont ever go out of my way to tell someone of what mental problems i have. it just isnt worth it, besides I'm shure people know somethings wrong anyways

agreed. I try to put myself in their shoes and realise that it is of no gain telling them. The only time it might be useful to 'disclose' is when you're being asked to do something that may cause some extreme unexplainable anxiety. for example, the franchise owner at my workplace has approached me personally about becoming a store manager. I struggled to explain why I am not keen on the idea without actually mentioning autism, so nonetheless, I agreed to go on the necessary management courses. However, a disclosure or complete change of job may well have to happen at some point:S

That's nice that the the owner asked you to become a store manager. The higher ups at my former retail job would have never done that to me.

I've been working for the same company (albeit different franchises) for six years so I have the experience. I am flattered by the offer we are talking about a particular large fast food company. This is a couple of rungs up the wrong ladder. Yet on the other hand, I don 't want to burn my bridges completely as it's better than a slap in a face if really ******g necessary could end up being my career. Better the devil you know. And i don't actually hate it as much as the paragragh suggests

I don't mind when people know...I only wish it was safe for more people to know.

I'm personally of the mind that we shouldn't be ashamed of being autistic/aspies because it is a difference, fine it's a difference that makes it more difficult for us to function in this [NT] world sometimes, but it is also a difference that gives us some great gifts...granted I am a little bit arrogant/egomaniac, but frankly I think we rule

The problem is of course not everyone agrees with me - some will see it as an excuse, less of a problem than it can be, look down on you or consider you as worthless as a result of being aspie/autistic - I'd love to go to a potential employer and explain to them why I am nervous in interviews, but why I am also infinitival better for the job because of certain characteristics of asperger's...but of course they'd instantly discount you based on prejudice and ignorance. Ho-hum.

Used to be, but not anymore. I hate saying it because, like it or not, making it public knocks you down a peg or two in prestige and validity in said person's eyes. That's not to say I won't let those who know me well in on my secret, but only after they've known me a while. I have certain family members who still don't know, and even if they did wouldn't be so quick to buy into diagnosis like aspergers...to them it's the same "quack" diagnosis as ADHD.

Besides, i'm through making excuses for my shortcomings. I have strengths too, they are just buried underneath all the BS. I came to the point where I just said i'm through letting others tell me what I am and what i'm not capable of. I'll be the judge of that.

We are all, after all, human. That's enough for me.

I'm quite open about it. I don't go shouting it out, but if it comes up, I'll just say I have Asperger's.

I used to worry about people knowing but I realised that was stupid - nothing ever happens as a result. People who don't like me after knowing didn't actually like me before knowing, and people who do like me won't be phased by the label I've been given for my behaviours.