<p>Anyhow, I have a fairly obvious case of Asperger's Syndrome. On the other hand - people often don't realize that I have it - until I make a horrible faux pas. Now, the question is - should I disclose Asperger's Syndrome or not?</p>
<p>For one - it would seem a bit uncomfortably personal. For another, it sounds like an excuse to get extra attention. But if a mentor truly cares about me - then it's not an issue. In fact, it may be a benefit (since autistic traits are often beneficial traits in academia). But it's only a benefit if the traits are utilized in the right direction. And all forms of AS are different - my form seems to have both autistic and ADD traits. I also have a REALLY WEIRD learning curve due to the weird way that I tend to process stimuli (oftentimes I'm not attentive at all, and then I become suddenly attentive due to some sudden stimulus). So even though people often say that I'm one of the most intelligent people that they've met - my problem solving skills are very uneven and I've been known to overlook seemingly obvious steps. </p>
<p>And if the professor thinks that someone with AS is not worth his time - then it wouldn't be worth it to work with him in the first place.</p>
<p>The question then is - when should I disclose it? Last time I made a major faux pas and then quit seeing my mentor afterwards - and didn't disclose Asperger's Syndrome. But it might be beneficial to disclose it before a faux pas, wouldn't it? I'm VERY good at making faux pas and so it's usually only a matter of time before I make one with most people.</p>
<p>At what level are you, undergrad or grad?</p>
<p>While the decision is certainly up to you, I would counsel you in favor of disclosure. Most academics know what AS is, and most would experience your disclosure as a welcome contextualization of your learning styles, and as an explanation (and amelioration) of any faux pas you might make in the future.</p>
<p>It seems to me that disclosure would also serve YOU well, and relieve you of some pressure, particularly given that in the past, you've avoided a mentor because of a faux pas. When others know you have AS, social missteps are MUCH more easily understood and excused.</p>
<p>Undergrad.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, Professor X. That is very well-taken.</p>
<p>I also agree with Prof X that you can definitely benefit from disclosing. Even though it is often easier for individuals with AS to succeed in the world of academia, once you are an adult, social or personal faux pas become less excusable and can play a much larger part in how those who you work with perceive you and treat you, and ultimately in your career success. I think this applies in the post-grad world of academia as well. "Normal" people may often react negatively to certain behaviors but may be too "polite" to say anything (or may have motives to not say anything) until it becomes serious enough that it can have detrimental consequences for the person with AS; yet sometimes such situations could have been been avoided if the individual had been more aware of some of the undercurrents prior to a situation blowing up. Adults with AS can greatly benefit from having work or academic colleagues in their life who can pull them aside and point out some of these issues before they become more serious. I know that in many of their books, Temple Grandin and Stephen Shore (who both have doctorates) frequently talk about how important it was to their careers when they had colleagues who would do just that.</p>
<p>Absolutely and unequivocally, yes.</p>
<p>As a former academic who wasn't diagnosed until 57 yo, I made the decision to fully disclose my Asperger's Syndrome whenever it seemed appropriate.</p>
<p>It has made an extraordinary difference to the way in which people view and understand me and my behaviour, all of it positive. </p>
<p>This became even more important for me when my mother and most of my five children were also found to have ASx.</p>
<p>I can recall no negative effects of full disclosure in the past five years, since diagnosis. My only regret is that it happened so late in my life.</p>
<p>You can view my experiences at my personal web site here:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.johncounsel.com/asx/%5B/url%5D">http://www.johncounsel.com/asx/</a></p>
<p>I hope this helps.</p>
<p>John</p>