Going it Alone
I advise caution when it comes to disclosure. I went public and made a general statement when discussions with my doctor revealed the extreme likelihood of Aperger's Syndrome on my part. I have found the value of such general statements to be practically nil. People only take note when they have someone who is autistic in their lives, and even then the unfortunate truth is that only some pay attention.
I posted this meme and a selection of other memes. Imagine how utterly depressing it is to have people you know, and who know you, and who have feigned sympathy for your autism (although sympathy is the last thing you need, with them talking as though autism is a terminal illness), object to your 'long words' and truthfulness, your attention to detail and impatience with small talk and banalities. When you punch your true weight, you find that you make certain people feel uncomfortable; it's then that you find the limits of their sympathy. They like to patronize needy people, without actually accommodating any of their needs; they don't much care for truthfulness, a trait which renders autistic people 'argumentative' and 'difficult.' I've had it time and again, and hence take easily offered sympathies with a pinch of salt.
