Should I Really My Parents I May Have Autism?

[_HoneyBee_]

Ok so I only just realized today, after extensive research and at least 10 surveys that there's a very good chance i have a mild form of autism, I've actually been showing signs of it since I was born but repressing them because it made me look like I wasn't "normal." Should I tell my family and if so when?

[_HoneyBee_]

That's supposed to say "should I tell my parents I may have autism? "

[Mamyalynne]

Your family know who and how you are, if you feel the need to talk about ut - why not?

ps Being on the Autistic Spectrum doesn't make anyone abnormal.

[Mamyalynne]

it not ut.

[Buenchico]

There are quite a few people on the autism spectrum who're regular members of this site, including me. I certainly wouldn't want to be without my autism. (I see it as giving me a clearer view of the world than others have, without the encumbrance of emotions).

Whether you should tell your family is up to you but, to some extent, it will depend upon your relationship with your family. I'm an elderly guy who hasn't spoken to any of his family for over a decade (and who has no real desire to do so). So telling family members about my autism would be unlikely to make any difference to neither me nor them.

However if, say, you're a teenager still living with your parents and siblings, you have to accept the risk that your parents might just regard your self-diagnosis as being 'just one of those things which mixed-up teenagers go through', rather than taking it seriously. In such a situation I'd suggest asking for help in seeking a formal diagnosis as:
(a) your parents would be more likely to take you seriously, and to welcome you asking for their help ; and
(b) they'd be far more likely to believe a professional diagnosis than one which you'd arrived at yourself.

[Old_Geezer]

Is there a benefit to telling them your suspicions ?
Is this affecting your life such that you need to be concerned ?

[jno]

I'd see a doctor before telling anyone, and confirm your self-diagnosis. Research is all very well, but there's no substitute for trained examination.

If you can repress your symptoms to look "normal" (a rather loaded word), is there any special reason for not continuing to do so? Or do you feel you're not being true to yourself?

Anyway, yes, by all means tell them, but only once you've been properly diagnosed.

[roopower]

There are a large number of people who have some degree of autism and don't realise it. I am on the spectrum myself, apparently, because I prefer to be with a small group rather than a crowd and I like my CDs in alphabetical order! I was told this on a course for work, not a survey. Unless your 'symptoms' are fairly severe, in which case your family will have picked it up, if you have a degree of autism it won't impact much, or at all, on your life. It's up to you if you tell your family, you must have some idea how they may react.

[woofgang]

roopower....apart from agreeing that there is no such thing as normal, I suspect that whoever it was on your work course who goes around diagnosing people on the basis of their social and home organising preferences is talking through their hat and needs to be very careful what they say.

[Tilly2]

I suspect that your parents will already know. I don't think you need to tell them.

[NSFAGlobal]

A diagnosis of autism may or may not be disclosed. You shouldn't ever feel compelled to disclose your condition. It's vital to keep in mind that there is no legal requirement that you reveal any disabilities if you're concerned about telling your employer about the diagnosis.