Talking about autism to other people can feel daunting, especially if you are thinking of telling people that you are autistic. But doing so can give you a sense of agency, and help you get things sorted that will make your time at uni more enjoyable.

This article highlights some advantages of being open about your autism, and give some practical tips about disclosure.

In the past, your parents or teachers or other people who helped you might have done most of the talking. They knew all about you and could help explain to other people how an autistic spectrum condition affected you. At university, you’ll have a lot more responsibility to advocate for yourself and make your own decisions about disclosure.

What do other people need to know?

You might want to think about what it is you want people to know about you and your autism. Telling people you are autistic can be an important first step, but it won’t give them the whole picture. Every autistic person is unique, and will have different experiences.

Your friends might know a lot about autism, but they might not know as much as you do. Think about being specific when you talk about yourself, the things you like and dislike and the things you find difficult. If you get anxious around social events, have particular sensory needs, or have certain things you need to do in order to feel comfortable, telling your friends about these aspects of yourself will help them understand you better.

Similarly, telling your Disability & Neurodiversity Advisor about yourself will help them to recommend support and adjustments that genuinely help you.

At City St George’s, while you can ask for support from Student Health & Wellbeing, it is your responsibility to tell people about your diagnosis and to explain to them what that means for you.

90% of parents in the Autism&Uni survey said they had to advocate for their children so they could receive the support they need at school. Students in the surveys said they find it difficult to explain difficulties related to their autism, which might partly be because before uni other people were on hand to do it for them.

“I’m always afraid of being turned away or not being able to explain myself well, or being misunderstood and having that change the way I’m treated.” (Autism&Uni survey response)

Being open about your autism helps to reduce the stigma around autism spectrum conditions. You can start with people you trust, and tell them about specific issues you think they might notice anyway.

A student told us about her experience of telling her friends:

“Because they are aware I feel slightly more like I can be myself instead of trying to fit in although I also think it helps them accept slight differences.

For social stuff it helps as they are aware they can’t just text me and see if I’m free then but should give me several days’ notice – which is nothing personal towards them, it’s just I can’t just be social instantly.

It also helps that if we meet up to do something they know I can’t cope with loud noises, crowds, lights etc. and will ‘switch off’ in these occasions. “

If academic staff know how autism affects your learning and what might make you less anxious, especially if you tell them in plenty of time, they’re more likely to be able to help you. It helps to be specific, and your Disability & Neurodiversity Advisor is there to help you come up with strategies for talking with others.