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   Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣 (youronlyone@c.im)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Apr-2024 15:08:57 JST Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣

   • Actually Autistics

   How do you define the term, “Openly Autistic”?

   * Is it an autistic person who rarely masks?
   * 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. ^_^

   Thank you for your interesting insights!

   ---

   * Autism symbol by: MissLunaRose12
   * License: CC By-SA 4.0 International
   * Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Autism_Symbol_Proposed_2.png

   ---

   Tags: #OpenlyAutistic #OpenlyAutistics #ActuallyAutistic #ActuallyAutistics #AskingAutistics #Autistic #Autistics #Autism #AutismSpectrum #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance

   Groups: @autistics @actuallyautistic

   • Embed this notice
     Finnbar (finnbar_m@mastodon.social)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Apr-2024 23:06:08 JST Finnbar

     in reply to

     • Actually Autistics

     @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.

   • Embed this notice
     Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣 (youronlyone@c.im)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Apr-2024 23:06:08 JST Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣

     in reply to

     • Actually Autistics
     • Finnbar

     @finnbar_m Ooh, that's a good point.

     If not a direct “I'm autistic”, at least in asking for help.

     Thank you for sharing!

     @autistics @actuallyautistic

   • Embed this notice
     Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣 (youronlyone@c.im)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Apr-2024 23:11:24 JST Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣

     in reply to

     • Actually Autistics
     • Dr. Figuring-things-aut

     @AutisticDoctorStruggles

     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.

     Good point! Thank you for sharing!

     @autistics @actuallyautistic

   • Embed this notice
     Dr. Figuring-things-aut (autisticdoctorstruggles@mas.to)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Apr-2024 23:11:25 JST Dr. Figuring-things-aut

     in reply to

     • Actually Autistics

     @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.

   • Embed this notice
     Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣 (youronlyone@c.im)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Apr-2024 23:14:24 JST Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣

     in reply to

     • Libre :neurodiversity:

     @arcadetoken Ahh! It's making it official and informing everyone of who we are. Which also means we are comfortable about it.

   • Embed this notice
     Libre :neurodiversity: (arcadetoken@autistics.life)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Apr-2024 23:14:25 JST Libre :neurodiversity:

     in reply to

     @youronlyone Also agreeing with the others that you're basically "out" with your Autism. Think along the lines of being out as someone LGBTQIA+, before they are open about who they are, they may still show some behavior that differs from typical societal trend but they may not necessarily be open/out about it and telling people that they are. Same with us.

   • Embed this notice
     Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣 (youronlyone@c.im)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Apr-2024 23:26:01 JST Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣

     in reply to

     • Twan
     • Actually Autistics
     • Dr. Figuring-things-aut

     @twan

     True. It doesn't have to be everyone at work.

     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.

     @AutisticDoctorStruggles @autistics @actuallyautistic

   • Embed this notice
     Twan (twan@mastodon.online)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Apr-2024 23:26:02 JST Twan

     in reply to

     • Actually Autistics
     • Dr. Figuring-things-aut

     @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.

   • Embed this notice
     Dr. Figuring-things-aut (autisticdoctorstruggles@mas.to)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Apr-2024 23:26:59 JST Dr. Figuring-things-aut

     in reply to

     • Actually Autistics

     @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)

   • Embed this notice
     Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣 (youronlyone@c.im)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Apr-2024 23:29:15 JST Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣

     in reply to

     • Actually Autistics
     • Dr. Figuring-things-aut

     @AutisticDoctorStruggles

     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.

     @autistics @actuallyautistic

   • Embed this notice
     Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣 (youronlyone@c.im)'s status on Wednesday, 10-Apr-2024 17:13:52 JST Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣

     in reply to

     • Twan
     • Actually Autistics
     • Dr. Figuring-things-aut

     @AutisticDoctorStruggles @twan

     True. It's one of the reasons why I was curious about how everyone defined being openly autistic.

     Did I understand it correctly? And if not, could it be I'm actually placing myself at more risk? When is open too much or too less?

     The replies are amazing, and are actually giving me more insight and understanding. I highly appreciate it and thankful. ^_^

     @autistics @actuallyautistic

   • Embed this notice
     Dr. Figuring-things-aut (autisticdoctorstruggles@mas.to)'s status on Wednesday, 10-Apr-2024 17:13:53 JST Dr. Figuring-things-aut

     in reply to

     • Twan
     • Actually Autistics

     @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.

   • Embed this notice
     Twan (twan@mastodon.online)'s status on Wednesday, 10-Apr-2024 17:13:54 JST Twan

     in reply to

     • Actually Autistics
     • Dr. Figuring-things-aut

     @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. 🫤

     Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣 repeated this.
   • Embed this notice
     Sean C. (filmfreak75@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 10-Apr-2024 17:30:08 JST Sean C.

     in reply to

     • Actually Autistics

     @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.

     @autistics @actuallyautistic

   • Embed this notice
     Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣 (youronlyone@c.im)'s status on Wednesday, 10-Apr-2024 17:30:08 JST Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한🦣

     in reply to

     • Sean C.
     • Actually Autistics

     @filmfreak75

     Welcome and congratulations, you've learned more about yourself. ^_^ And I'm sorry about the experiences you've had, it is true there are still a lot of discrimination, in and out of work.

     If I may share, disclosing at work is 50-50. The first time I disclosed it at a new job, it didn't work well. It was either only lip service or they don't know how and what to do with the information. I tried explaining, but they really were not flexible. It's all about “by the book” and “company policy”.

     In another company, they were more open and understanding, and even appreciated I disclosed it with them.

     I think, at least based on my personal experience, it really comes down to the people in position if they themselves truly care. If they are willing to meet us halfway so we can work together to find a good working condition for all parties involved.

     Company policies are there as a guideline only, not “the rule of law”. Unfortunately, some people in management treats it as “the law” (in the voice of Judge Dredd, haha), which in turn makes it harder for everyone, especially us who are neurodivergent.

     Another factor to consider, re: disclosing at work, your local laws. If you'll gain more benefits (like tax breaks) and protection, it is something to consider. At least here in my country, if you don't disclose it, you won't be able to receive the benefits (as the employer have to ask you for documents so they can officially file it).

     Hope it helps in some way. ^_^

     @autistics @actuallyautistic