My brain seems to search for fellow autistic people in my surroundings. I have a hunch that several people I know are on the spectrum. What I'm really not sure about is whether is this just a case of me having the proverbial hammer and seeing nails everywhere. Even more crucially, is it ok for me to say to other people whether they have considered if they're autistic?
In the trans circles it's a rule that one doesn't say to other people that maybe they are trans if they haven't self-identified first. This is because such confrontation may push these people further in the closet even for themselves. Makes sense. Is it the same for autism?
I especially think this in relation to our students. I'm our division's designated person who the students come to see with their study issues. I also routinely see half of each year's students briefly about their studies. In other words, I get to hear about things hindering their studies. Overall, by their own admission, it seems that autism is over-presented in this group. Others haven't mentioned them being ND but certain things they tell me ring a bell. I then circle around it but openly tell about my autism and executive function issues.
I ask you, other autistic people, would've you benefited from/liked if someone had asked whether you've considered if you're autistic, especially when you didn't know it yourself yet? What if it would've been your study advisor? Or a friend who also disclosed their autism?
Disclaimer: I won't act on basis of your answers, I just want to hear what your feelings about this are.
#ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics @actuallyautistic
In the trans circles it's a rule that one doesn't say to other people that maybe they are trans if they haven't self-identified first. This is because such confrontation may push these people further in the closet even for themselves. Makes sense. Is it the same for autism?
I especially think this in relation to our students. I'm our division's designated person who the students come to see with their study issues. I also routinely see half of each year's students briefly about their studies. In other words, I get to hear about things hindering their studies. Overall, by their own admission, it seems that autism is over-presented in this group. Others haven't mentioned them being ND but certain things they tell me ring a bell. I then circle around it but openly tell about my autism and executive function issues.
I ask you, other autistic people, would've you benefited from/liked if someone had asked whether you've considered if you're autistic, especially when you didn't know it yourself yet? What if it would've been your study advisor? Or a friend who also disclosed their autism?
Disclaimer: I won't act on basis of your answers, I just want to hear what your feelings about this are.
#ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics @actuallyautistic
