Re: Re: why is disclosure such a bad thing?

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Just a quick addition to my earlier comments.

I feel that ASD should be seen the same way as other disabilities, as even those

with highly visible differences (vision loss, being deaf or needing a wheel

chair) still often suffer the same judgements as people on the spectrum.

I have been witness to people in wheel chairs being treated as mentally

deficient, just because of the chair! how does damage to my spine affect my

brain?

I have seen people ignore a deaf person (to the point of pretending he was not

in the room), just because they thought he would not/could not understand them,

when reading lips is so easy for him!

A visible disability is not more readily accepted or understood, just because it

can be seen.

It is interesting to me that people would rather be seen as odd or possibly even

downright unpleasant, than attempt to educate others about ASD.

A visible disability means you have to find the strength to field the questions

about your condition and learn to explain things to people even when they are

rude or ignorant.

There is no option of " staying in the closet " for these people, and most have

worked long and hard to ever be seen as equals.

The guy in the wheel chair probably had to fight long and hard to get a ramp

installed in his work place.

I feel proud of the people i have known with more visible conditions as they

have taught me a great deal about dealing with unwanted judgment (even on days

when doing so may affect their own mental health)

I am proud of my ASD and I am proud of how i cope with the things that are

harder because of ASD.

Most people with ASD are judged and treated differently even before they

disclose and at least if people are aware and still treat you that way, you can

do something about the discrimination, rather than be forced to live with it as

an everyday thing that is bound to affect ones mental health.

It is a big task to educate others, but the more of us that try, the better the

affect will be for others on the spectrum.

I understand that not everyone has the strength to do this.

i just wanted to promote discussion on the topic as it seems there is a culture

of fear of what might happen after disclosure.

Australia