Aspies For Freedom

Ouch.

All I can say is good luck with this.

I've been trying to for a while, but I don't really want to just blurt it out mid-conversation. A few months ago I bought an "autistic rights" mug and put it in my desk, and I've been trying to leave it in easy-to-spot places, but so far no-one's said anything.

No idea if this means they haven't seen it, or if they just don't want to mention it.

A public service office - immigration, to be exact...

since my diagnosis , whenever someone asks me what my problem is or why I dont smile much or talk much ,for that matter, I let them know what I am...I am proud to be an aspie

Yes, thanks Silky. I've been trying to figure that out for ages as well.
As to Janet, could honestly go either way. Might make them more tolerant and it might make them less respectful with them starting to treat you more like their students than their colleague.  I'd suggest laying low until you know more about them and until you've already proven yourself relative to capabilities in helping the kids.  I'm guessing having experienced some of it and "lived there" so to speak you will have a far better to recognize and help some of the AS kids with their needs than an NT would. Best of luck with it.

momofhrick

Yep.  It went pretty well--except that some people were afraid that I'd use my autism as a crutch.  If I hear one more NT express concern about this, I'll flip out!

I am afraid I probably do use my AS as a crutch , after years of not knowing what it even was ..it was a relief knowing I was the way I am , for a reason ..I believe that I hide behind it..yep..kind of nice to have something to prop myself up on ,after so long ..pretty lame  I guess

I understand that!  What is wrong with telling them you like your job and don't want to change?  Will they think you are not interested in climbing the so-called corporate ladder?

Not so!  I am of the same thinking...  I started a thread earlier about using autism as a crutch (or not).

where is that thread..thank you

I understand that!  What is wrong with telling them you like your job and don't want to change?  Will they think you are not interested in climbing the so-called corporate ladder?
[/quote

changing may not be worth the ulcer. If you like your current job and do it well

- I understand that!  What is wrong with telling them you like your job and don't want to change?  Will they think you are not interested in climbing the so-called corporate ladder?

- changing may not be worth the ulcer. If you like your current job and do it well

Yep, I messed up the quote coding.  Oh well.  It's midnight.

Well apparently my store manager had these grand plans for me, because I've proven I'm capable wherever they put me.  When she first brought up the idea of a promotion last year, I agreed - though I did have some doubts.  The more I thought it over, though, the more doubts I had, and I've come to see that while yes, I could probably do the job, I would be an absolute wreck all the time - just not worth it.

I think I've reached the highest level where I'll be comfortable.  She's really putting the pressure on now, though - she expected me to be further along in developing my skills when it comes to people management.  She seems to be getting frustrated with me now, and even if I tell her I want to keep my current position, she's still going to be questioning why I'm not getting any better at it.  She knows I'm uncomfortable with people and social situations, but she attributes it to me just being shy (and therefore something that will magically disappear if I work at it).

So that's why I'm starting to wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to discuss my Asperger's with her.  I don't think she'd be so frustrated if she realized there was a reason for why I struggle a bit with people.  On the other hand, I don't want to lose her respect or give her reason to doubt my capability.   I don't feel like I'm in danger of losing my position, of course - my team is efficient, and the buyers and district manager recently told me my receiving dept. was the best in the district.  But you just never know how people will react...

I feel in this case you must tell her of your "disability" so that she is aware..this is good chance for her to show her management skills or lack of them..if you are diagnosed aspie ,  you have rights which she MUST consider, if she doesnt know how to handle this, then she has some things to learn too.In doing this you also stand for our groups cause....in my opinion...Sky

I must say that I am a self-employed person and so my ,coming out to my clients , as a person on the spectrum, is actually not a big deal. my clients come to me because of my work. coming out to them only eases their problem with me not talking that much. our friends here who are employed by corporations or governments are the brave ones and I applaud them. perhaps I should not have said what I did without thinking it through more carefully...sorry

Janet thank you for the link very informative...Sky