Viele autistische Erwachsene fühlen sich zerrissen, wenn sie ihre Diagnose aufdecken. Die Offenlegung kann sinnvolle Zwecke dienen, wie z. B. Zugang zu Unterstützung, Förderung der Selbstakzeptanz und Aktivismus, aber auch Menschen auszusetzen, die ungläubig, Stereotypen und emotionale Verletzlichkeit sind.
Many autistic adults feel torn about revealing their diagnosis — a new study explores why
18 Kommentare
I’ve linked to the news release in the post above. In this comment, for those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13623613251337504
From the linked article:
**Many autistic adults feel torn about revealing their diagnosis** — a new study explores why
A new study published in the journal Autism sheds light on how autistic adults navigate the complex and deeply personal decision to share their autism diagnosis with others. Researchers found that **disclosure can serve meaningful purposes, such as accessing support, fostering self-acceptance, and engaging in activism, but also exposes people to disbelief, stereotyping, and emotional vulnerability**. The findings suggest that many newly diagnosed adults in the United Kingdom lack adequate guidance on how to manage disclosure and would benefit from more structured post-diagnostic support.
Autism spectrum conditions affect how people experience the world, often influencing communication, social interaction, and behavior. While autism is frequently diagnosed in childhood, a growing number of people—especially women and those with less apparent support needs—are receiving diagnoses in adulthood. This shift reflects increasing awareness and improved diagnostic practices, but it also leaves many adults to navigate their diagnosis without the kind of developmental support available to younger individuals.
Receiving an autism diagnosis later in life can prompt a major re-evaluation of one’s identity and past experiences. But it also raises an important practical and emotional question: should one share this diagnosis with others, and if so, how? Disclosure can be necessary to access workplace accommodations, social services, or healthcare support. Yet many people fear being misunderstood or judged.
And now you’ll be put on sone list
With the way many countries are going (including mine) disclosure can also carry some negatives with it, too.
I’m pissed that they don’t recognize it without being told.
And bc I have to be the one to educate them.
pfft. Revealing your diagnosis can also cost your job.
Disclosing it as a disease did not help anyone.
To carry over this goes hand in hand with all hidden disabilities.
It becomes more accepted once we have more diagnoses and educate the public on better understandings.
A lot of people on the spectrum work so hard to fit in. Especially in situational therapy. It’s difficult and sucks how people can’t be as accepting.
I own it because the latter are going to be there anyhow, and I prefer reasonable expectations for myself and others.
I *can* own it because I’m physically and creatively impressive, though.
Lots of people roll their self esteem issues into what they think their ASD ‚is‘ and get stuck like that, and it’s unfortunate.
Forgiveable/understandable as there’s a lot in life that can prevent us from understanding ourselves and each other.
That can be worked on though.
Meanwhile, the narrative on reddit is that everyone can’t wait to reveal a diagnosis because of how cool and trendy it is.
I do not talk about it in real life at this point. It doesn’t go well.
Yep. Has anyone found a way past the whole ‚you don’t look autistic‘ or ‚autism doesn’t exist‘ or ‚you’ll grow out of it‘ ignorance?
Yes, in this way, the diagnosis is very much a double edged sword.
It explains a lot about yourself, it can help a lot.
But you will always feel like, in a lot of circumstances, it can cause just as much damage as it can mitigate.
Purely because of how many people hold old fashioned views of what ASD is.
On top of the obvious things, for me It also partially depends on the age of the people.
Younger people i am usually quicker to be open towards about my diagnoses then older people.
Simply because usually younger people have a slightly more nuanced view of what ASD is, and have more knowledge about it.
But especially at work, i will be more inclined to shut up about it until either i feel like i have no choice, or when i feel like i have proven myself enough for most of my close colleagues and bosses, to the point that i know for sure, that any stereotypes or doubts have been proven wrong for a long time anyway.
i have no reason to and every reason not to. why would i put myself in a vulnerable position where peoples subconscious biases make them think im stupid and incapable or make them doubt my neurotype completely, just to access support that isnt at all helpful for me?
It is worth pointing out that diagnosis in many countries comes with a side of loss of privileges and rights restricted to “healthy” neurotypical individuals. Driving, flying, shooting sports to start. They’re also shortlisting themselves to the government as ideal candidates for the next round of public terror, once ICE runs out of immigrants to blame for America’s economic crisis.
I don’t plan on telling anyone. Once I do, there’s no taking it back. I worry that people will then see me as a child.
I really dislike this idea that theres a bunch of secret autistic people.
I feel like definitonally if people get to know you and cant tell then youre not autistic.
Usually I have no issues disclosing, but sometimes I get treated like a moron, so it’s a dice roll.
I stopped talking about it irl because people were claiming they were on the spectrum and using it as a catch all excuse for their bad behavior. It grossed me out.
Hi RFK Jr. Looking for some prey, are we?
Where is this support we can access?