Now you know you are autistic, should you tell others?

Disclosure of an autism diagnosis is a very personal thing. Be aware first that there is no such thing as “keeping it a secret”. If you tell one person, they may feel free to talk about your diagnosis with others, especially among family members or friends.

People choose not to disclose their autism if they feel it may bring on discrimination, stigma, or somehow affect social or professional standing.
Stigma is real, many people today do not understand what Autism Is and discriminate and make judgments automatically.
Some may want to avoid stigma and “instant judgement” that comes with what amounts to yet another label. That is certainly understandable.
Certain employers or individuals we meet may change the way they treat us because of our autism diagnosis. This may be true of family members or friends, too.



Others choose to disclose their diagnosis to obtain support on the job through accommodations, or to obtain government financial support or access through certain programs available to the handicapped.
Some, like me, disclose my autism because I write about what its like to be an old autistic individual in today’s society. Saying “I believe I am autistic, let me tell you about it” does not have the “authenticity” or “authority” that telling people I was diagnosed at this late age (68 at diagnosis, now in 2024 almost 73 years of age) and explain the experience and insights I have gained after diagnosis.

Disclosure for others may be a way of letting family and friends know that everything all those years ago was not, after all, all your fault, but that you have an actual neurological condition which causes you struggles you never suspected for most of your life. Disclosing diagnosis explains to others your quirks, your brilliance, your odd little things that seemed until now inexplicable to others.

Expect reactions to vary in each individual. You might be surprised at who is accepting and supportive, and who scoffs or mocks or refuses to learn about it all.
Be aware that once you do disclose, there is not putting the rabbit back in the hat. That news is out there and even if you refuse to discuss your diagnosis, others will! ( often behind your back). (but maybe they do that anyways).

There is no right or wrong decision, everything depends on what is right for you. Think it through thoroughly, don’t expect any person you tell to actually “keep it a secret”.
Do what is right for you.