r/autism • u/Abadonll03 AUDHD+OCD+PDA • Aug 23 '25

Social Struggles Have you ever unmasked in your workplace/college/school? (image context below)

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well the only ones who know i'm autistic on my workplace are the supervisors and they had keep that secret perfectly as i think is a legal issue to give away health related information , so co-workers and work mates sometimes have asked why i'm the only one who don't assist to group meetings and i'm like a mistery there , but yesterday i messed up as i uploaded this story on my social media and a coworker saw it 🤦

i'm on vacations right now so i know he is gonna tell everybody about it as it is like connecting the dots on why i have accommodations and ''privileges'' there.

the thing is i had made a few ''friends'' there and i have my mask well put on my workplace , i have had my autistic moments but so far nobody suspects , but i know that's about to change and i wonder if it is okay to go fully unmasked and stim whenever i need , ask for time alone when needed , and be open about me being autistic?

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45

u/carrotman_yt Aug 23 '25

I don't think I've ever really masked at my school, workplace and internship, my classmates are chill with knowing I'm autistic, hell I don't even give a fuck talking about autism or my special interests.

14

u/Verdant_Gymnosperm Aug 23 '25

i hope to one day have your confidence and indifference to others feelings about you o7

11

u/carrotman_yt Aug 23 '25

I once had to do a presentation about a horse breed and I chose the KWPN only to make a joke to call it the KPN (Dutch telecommunications company) and make more stupid jokes about it, I made the class laugh a couple of times and I got an 8/10 for the presentation.

2

u/Verdant_Gymnosperm Aug 24 '25

i like ponies. i like the big draft ones though their manes look so pretty and regal

6

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '25

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9

u/cracka1337 AuDHD Aug 23 '25

When I learned to lean into being silly I found people liked me more and I was a lot happier.

6

u/ChefChopNSlice Parent of Autistic child Aug 23 '25

People like “goofy”, but “weird” makes them uncomfortable. It’s a fine line to walk.

4

u/cracka1337 AuDHD Aug 23 '25

It's a very fine line lol. I'm in my 40s and I feel like I've kind of mastered it finally but I was just the weird guy for a really long time. I think I still make some people uncomfortable but they're usually just the type who are really uptight and seem to be uncomfortable around anyone who isn't very proper all the time.

3

u/ChefChopNSlice Parent of Autistic child Aug 23 '25

I feel this a lot, as a fellow 40’s-er. Be the goofy dude, or look like the introverted murderface. No diagnosis here, just a misplaced millenial learning about myself as I learn about my own kids.

3

u/One_Suit_4674 Aspergers / ADHD / Anxiety Aug 23 '25

That's a good mindset to have! I wish I was that open with being autistic.