So why is it that I keep getting this statement throughout my life? Why do people think they can see autism when they look at someone? I was diagnosed with Aspergers before I was put on the autism spectrum. I was always very good at hiding my autism but I've always been told that it's because I'm a woman and we can easily mask the parts we don't want to see better than others. But throughout the years many people have this skill so I can't really knock it down to womanhood. Maybe I've been conditioned to think so. If I hide the "weird" part of me I won't be judged or looked at differently. On top of the autism, I have a fainting disorder, trauma, a heart condition, and a learning condition. I've always had such a long list, gets quite annoying after a while. Anywho, this rude statement started when I was in high school, as I got more and more comfortable with my autism (because at that time people were starting to understand the spectrum more) I got my first punch with "You don't look autisic". Being a teenager, of course, I filled up with rage and yelled at the person who said so. but I've grown and when I hear someone talking like that, I either ask "What does autism look like to you"? or "Why do you think that"? Too many people aren't educated enough on what autism really is. I actually had someone tell me they didn't know the difference between Down syndrome and autism and thought it was the same thing. It makes me angry at first but then I have to breathe and say ok not everyone is going to know but we can try to educate people as we go with our lives.
Have you ever gotten these comments before?
What did it make you feel the first time?
What was your response?
Have you ever gotten these comments before?
What did it make you feel the first time?
What was your response?
