why is disclosure such a bad thing?

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I have a question for the group that stems from the responses to request

for help with his letter.

Why is disclosure such a bad thing?

Would we expect a blind or deaf person to keep their condition to themselves?

with both of these types of disability there are visual signs (guide dog/stick

or hearing aids) that people can take on board easily and then offer the

appropriate assistance when needed.

there are no signs to help people see when someone with an ASD might need

support. Some of us are a little " mind blind " and sometimes find we need a

little understanding and help.

I feel I have a duty to the next generation of people living with ASD to help

spread the understanding of ASD, and to help create an environment of

acceptance.

I hope that as the children that are now receiving help and support (and

hopefully acceptance) grow to adult hood, they will be offered support and

understanding by the world at large, not just those that know them intimately.

I would like to think that by my " disclosure " of my ASD, I am helping to create

a more accepting world for all people with ASD.

The person that made me see the sense in doing this, was a close friend that has

been deaf since birth. he has no choice about disclosing his condition, for him

it is essential that others know that he can not hear. he sees his deafness as

little more than a hearing person would see the language barrier of

communicating in a different country.

I see my ASD as essentially " thinking in a different language " . why should i

stay mute and endure the ensuing confusion/judgement of others, when with a

little effort on my part i can work towards acceptance and understanding?

At this time, in the country i live in, there is little to no support offered

for people on the spectrum once they leave the school system. i hope that in

some small way my speaking out will change this.

So again I ask " Why is disclosure such a bad thing? "

Australia

[Guest guest]

Right now, I'm of a similar mindset. I want to show people that being an aspie doesn't necessarily mean we can't contribute. But, I've heard of people being treated differently after disclosing their diagnosis. A lot of it seems to come from ignorance. Some people don't disclose because they have been treated like they are mentally slow after disclosure, or find their opinions are no longer given weight, or experienced discrimination.

So if you're functional enough to pass for " normal " , then it may be in your interest not to disclose so you don't face these issues. Then again, you do the autistic community a service by making that good impression and disclosing. 

If you're not able to pass for " normal " in a work or social environment, then like that deaf person, you're better off disclosing so you can hopefully get some understanding and accommodation from others. 

I've had it both good and bad from disclosing, but thankfully never terrible. After diagnosis, I was able to repair some friendships that my worst aspie habits had broken. I got forgiveness and understanding from people, and it was a good thing. I've also had people start deciding for me what level of sensory or social stimulation was too much. Things like, " We can't go to the movies because that would be too loud and noisy for . " It's taken some education, but I'm getting through to these people that it's my call to make, and that I can handle about as much as they can as long as I can prepare properly.

So ultimately, the autistic community needs people to disclose, to show what we can do. Funny that we still need to; I'm sure the team that put Curiosity on Mars has a proportion of aspies. But the decision to disclose has some risks, and it may not be for every person.

Hope that helps.