Examples:

Yesterday I was at a health evaluation for a driver’s license. Everything went well with my physical health, but at questioning, my autism was bought up. I was accused of needing help with learning in primary school (despite of my grades, that were usually B (I know, I’m lazy)) and now I need a psychological evaluation.

When I started high school, most professors infantalized me, but later stopped after I proved myself (ok, some didn’t stop, like the slovene teacher and the sport teacher/coach).

When I meet someone new, they always think I am intelectually disabled, before proving otherwise…

Why is this happening?

  • Worx@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
    302·
    6 months ago

    Maybe you need to work on masking. Pretending to be a “normal” person to fit in is a big pain, and something I personally hate. But if you act “normal” when meeting new people, they will treat you like everyone else. It’s tough to act this way but it might help you.

    (It also sucks that we can’t be accepted the way we are, but that’s how the world is. As much as we might want to change the world, we also have to live in it as it is day to day)

    • db0@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      14·
      6 months ago

      Ye, what I usually do it mask until they treat me as an equal, then casually mention my ASD when it is relevant. I think it serves to normalize it without creating preconceptions.

      • Persen@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
        7·
        6 months ago

        I mentioned my autism to some of my friends. Some shame me and others are supportive, but nobody actually understands me.

    • Persen@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      13·
      6 months ago

      Well, I think I am masking (very badly) and it effects my mental health, so I won’t try to improve it, but i still agree with you

      • glimse@lemmy.worldEnglish
        8·
        6 months ago

        I wish people with autism didn’t have to mask at all and could just be themselves

      • Worx@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
        4·
        6 months ago

        That’s fair. It’s a tough one to balance of having good mental health and energy vs being able to exist in the world.

        I have found that once I got out of school and college and things that I “have to” do, I’ve been able to create and find spaces where I’m able to be more authentically myself, which has definitely helped me. Hopefully you’ll be able to find more of those spaces in time