Thread: It's a personal call on my part to talk openly about being #ActuallyAutistic, and it's one which worries me constantly. I am genuinely afraid that being open about it will damage my employment chances in particular. 1/

I fully understand why some people don't want to talk about their diagnosis. It's an incredibly personal thing. For some people it defines them, for others not so much. For some it makes things easier. For others it is harder because they can't ignore it anymore. 2/

I tweet about being #autism though because I know that seeing others do so has helped me understand myself better, and come to terms with my diagnosis to the point I almost feel "comfortable" with it, on occasion. 3/

There's another reason though. It's because I don't want to always be worried about people finding out that I'm autistic. I want people to recognise that it doesn't stop someone being able to do their job, or care, or just be themselves. That only happens by raising awareness. 4/

I didn't suddenly change when I got diagnosed. I had always been autistic and always will be. That's fine with me, now anyway. It's fine with me because I have been fortunate to find and follow people who have gone through the same thing and hearing their stories helped. 5/

You don't have to tweet or be open about your diagnosis, but, and particularly when you have a large following or a prominent position, don't dismiss those who do because they "do your head in". Just don't follow them. It's hard to be open, but sometimes it can help others. 6/