To declare your AS to a online date or not...

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Innerpeace
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11 Apr 2013, 10:58 am

OKCupids I've got this dilemma.
Basically I joined OKCupid about a week ago. I've made some connections with some attractive women and have a date lined up for Saturday.
Trouble is, I haven't mentioned that I have an AS brain. I'm not sure whether to message the woman who I'm going on a date with and telling her about the AS.
I'm quite socially adept and have learned to act quite well in social situations. I'm confident 'I can pull the date off' and give a convincing display without ever mentioning AS (and probably leave her thinking I have the same neurological wiring as everyone else). However it doesn't feel comfortable and its tiring for me.
Also I feel embarrassed and a little ashamed like I'm hiding something. I don't want to put this woman in a awkward position and tell her. But then thats not really being true to myself.
On the other hand, if she does want to date me despite having told her about the AS, I don't want to spend the date talking about it or having her worry about how to act or treat me differently.
I'm also debating whether to put that I have AS on my OKC profile.
As someone with AS I know that this mental state cannot define who you are inspite of any stereotyping. To me there is no archetypal aspie. There are human beings with different brain wirings.



Last edited by Innerpeace on 11 Apr 2013, 4:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

morslilleole
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11 Apr 2013, 11:25 am

Why make such a big deal of it? It should not change anything between you if you tell her.

Also I don't think you should have to feel ashamed for not telling her. It's your choice when you tell her.



Geekonychus
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11 Apr 2013, 12:08 pm

DO NOT!

Maybe after you've gone on a couple dates and she's comfortable around you, you can tell her but telling her through message or worse disclosing in your profile is asking for trouble. The message you'd be projecting (regardless of it being true or not) is that you're defined by your disability. I tend to disclose but only after a few dates. It is in no way first date conversation.

I have an OKCupid date tonight actually and the only warning I gave her was that "I'm somewhat socially awkward and shy." It seems like that actually put her at ease since she's shy herself. Now imagine if I said "I have a severe neurological disability" instead.........



Last edited by Geekonychus on 11 Apr 2013, 12:17 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Stargazer43
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11 Apr 2013, 12:09 pm

I'd recommend not mentioning it until after you get to know someone relatively well. You have to keep in mind that with online dating most people are more cautionary than they might be otherwise, and the slightest perceived flaw may put them off. However, once they actually get to know you in person and see what kind of person you are, then it's fine to tell them.



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11 Apr 2013, 2:08 pm

Yeah. Keep your diagnosis to yourself. The funny thing is, people all have different ideas about what Asperger's is (if they've even heard of it at all). You mention the term and, these days, they think of Adam Lanza. Some might conjure images of Rain Man or Forrest Gump. Yes, neither was autistic, but people don't know that. Just charm her with your smile for now and leave the diagnosis for the future.



Innerpeace
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11 Apr 2013, 3:25 pm

I feel very supported by this feedback and I am grateful to you for taking the time to write.
I partly agree about not disclosing this issue and leaving it until later down the line. On the other hand, I also think that by levelling with people, you might not get so many dates( in fact you may get no dates at all!) but should someone decide to date you then they are going to be the more compassionate, understanding kind of person that is likely to be a good candidate for the long run.



JanuaryMan
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11 Apr 2013, 4:08 pm

Geekonychus wrote:
DO NOT!


:lol:



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11 Apr 2013, 4:51 pm

Geekonychus wrote:
DO NOT!

Maybe after you've gone on a couple dates and she's comfortable around you, you can tell her but telling her through message or worse disclosing in your profile is asking for trouble. The message you'd be projecting (regardless of it being true or not) is that you're defined by your disability. I tend to disclose but only after a few dates. It is in no way first date conversation.

I have an OKCupid date tonight actually and the only warning I gave her was that "I'm somewhat socially awkward and shy." It seems like that actually put her at ease since she's shy herself. Now imagine if I said "I have a severe neurological disability" instead.........


This all the way. I'm NT but I know a lot of NT's who hear Autism and these crazy ideas come into their heads...I had to educate my friends and family and help them understand just what ASD was and how it affected people. They were clueless.


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Chrisicus
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11 Apr 2013, 5:55 pm

I just let friends/potential girlfriends figure it out for themselves, if a branding really bothers them that much then they aren't worth my time.

You should just let her figure it out, or if she comments on a characteristic that is of Aspergers then tell her then.



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11 Apr 2013, 6:28 pm

I lost a super hot girl who was really into me this way. We had even met in person a few times.

So, I'd say no. It wouldn't have been dishonest. She was basing her reactions on misconceptions about Asperger's in the media that don't apply to me. And, at any rate, if I even have Asperger's, it's quite mild and probably less of a big deal than her severe ADHD.



Pabalebo
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12 Apr 2013, 12:54 am

If the topic comes up, don't lie to her about it... but I wouldn't think there's any need to mention it as a "disclaimer" of sorts the way you seem to be talking about doing it.


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Innerpeace
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12 Apr 2013, 9:06 am

Yes I've mulled it over and I think I agree with the advice given here.
I'm not going to mention the AS. I'm just going to be mindful and listen and talk.
Thanks.



Geekonychus
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12 Apr 2013, 10:29 am

Tyri0n wrote:
I lost a super hot girl who was really into me this way. We had even met in person a few times.

So, I'd say no. It wouldn't have been dishonest. She was basing her reactions on misconceptions about Asperger's in the media that don't apply to me. And, at any rate, if I even have Asperger's, it's quite mild and probably less of a big deal than her severe ADHD.

This sounds so familiar it's scary. My first OKCupid experience ended this way almost exactley. Things were going really well till date 3 when she told me about her ADHD. Figured then that if she was disclosing I'd disclose too and low and behold she practically stopped communicating with me after that........... :roll:



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12 Apr 2013, 12:51 pm

Geekonychus wrote:
Tyri0n wrote:
I lost a super hot girl who was really into me this way. We had even met in person a few times.

So, I'd say no. It wouldn't have been dishonest. She was basing her reactions on misconceptions about Asperger's in the media that don't apply to me. And, at any rate, if I even have Asperger's, it's quite mild and probably less of a big deal than her severe ADHD.

This sounds so familiar it's scary. My first OKCupid experience ended this way almost exactley. Things were going really well till date 3 when she told me about her ADHD. Figured then that if she was disclosing I'd disclose too and low and behold she practically stopped communicating with me after that........... :roll:


Same girl????


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Geekonychus
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12 Apr 2013, 1:07 pm

IlovemyAspie wrote:
Same girl????
Unlikely considering geographic proximity but that would funny.



IlovemyAspie
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12 Apr 2013, 2:16 pm

Geekonychus wrote:
IlovemyAspie wrote:
Same girl????
Unlikely considering geographic proximity but that would funny.


didn't think so but thought I'd throw that out there! LOL


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