Or, an autistic who isn't afraid and/or shy to share that they are actually autistic?
Or, an autistic person who is active in the autism acceptance “movement” (if we can call it that)?
Or, perhaps, an autistic who were interviewed and disclosed they're autistic?
Maybe you have other considerations or criteria that defines “openly autistic” for you?
NOTE: Being openly autistic is a choice and is not for everyone. I think it is safe to say that we all face discrimination, stereotyping, and prejudice for being actually autistics, thus, most choose not to be open about it.
However, recently, there has been a slow growth in numbers of openly autistics, and like with most things in life, we have different criteria, definitions, and cultural considerations.
Thus, I am curious what you think, personally or maybe your immediate environment or organisation, is an openly autistic person. Or, when do you consider one as openly autistic.
Again, this is not about if an autistic person should be openly autistic or not. ^_^
@youronlyone i'm very newly diagnosed and as i look back on my life not sure i ever really masked since i had other attributes that led people to treat me badly anyway.
i have been open about my diagnosis with the few people i interact with but also not broadcasting at the moment.
also, i am debating about disclosing at work, not because i think it will improve the shitty treatment i get, but it might give me a basis for a future discrimination claim.
@youronlyone@autistics@actuallyautistic I think it's point 2) for me. Someone who isn't afraid to share they are autistic. Unmasking is not required for that.
Ahh! Good point! It doesn't have to do with unmasking; it's more about being fine and able to share it; yet still continue with our usual masking.
Hmm… like in a work environment, a supervisor, and manager may be able to help and assist us, but it requires being open to them. While for the rest of the company, we continue to mask.
@youronlyone@AutisticDoctorStruggles@autistics@actuallyautistic In regards to work —I recently did exactly that. But I still feel the need to mask in all kinds of other situations, just to feel safe and comfortable, even though it costs me (sometimes dearly). I feel it's either that, or make life significantly more difficult for myself.
I think that was the mistake I did in one of my previous work. I opened up during the orientiation of the team. Months later, had a discussion about autism with a team member because his eldest brother is autistic too, and he shared to me how he thinks autism is just an excuse and a figment of our imagination. Which of course I got insulted as well.
You are right, we still need to mask, and we don't need to tell everyone.
@youronlyone@AutisticDoctorStruggles@autistics@actuallyautistic Oof, that's tough. And recognizable... After my first serious burnout I was so naive. "I'll just tell everybody what happened and that it is because of my autism, and then they'll understand." Needless to say, that wasn't true. 🫤
@twan@youronlyone@autistics@actuallyautistic 🙈 ouffff! So sorry to hear about your experiences! I am openly autistic at work and active in a Neurodiversity employee resource group but still I am wondering if I am being too open, if it will come back to bite me.
@youronlyone@autistics@actuallyautistic yes! to this point as well, I am not sure I even know how to unmask (yet) in many situations. Doesn't make me less autistic just less visible. Being "openly autistic" while masking also illustrates that autistic people may exist around us without us knowing it.(And without them knowing sometimes too)
A very good quotable: “Doesn't make me less autistic just less visible.”
I agree! I realised also after reading that, being openly autistic is not about being identified or standing out of the crowd. We share because it benefits everyone in a given situation or environment.
@youronlyone@autistics@actuallyautistic Great thought experiment. For me, being openly autistic means not to fear or hide the problems that it gives me. Even if I don't say I'm autistic, I'll still be open enough to ask for help or at least say, "I struggle with x". By this definition, being more open is something I think all autistic people should aim for.
My definition is your second option: someone who isn’t afraid of sharing they are autistic. In this definition, I‘m openly autistic.
Like you said, there’s no point in discussing whether anyone should or shouldn’t be openly autistic. I consider it a privilege to be able to be open about it.
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