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Would you label your business as a Autistic Owner

It would ruin my business’s reputation.

I hardly ever disclose my diagnosis because there is so much stigma, misinformation and fearmongering, which of course leads to bullying and harassment.

I wish I lived in a world where I could be open about being autistic, but I can barely even be open about being gay either.
 
Luca said:
I wish I lived in a world where I could be open about being autistic, but I can barely even be open about being gay either.
Click to expand...
Sometimes I wish I could attach about a dozen different reactions to a post...
 
This post is a safe place. Sorry people can't feel safe about posting who they are. I don't feel safe in my home, l don't feel safe going out.
 
I'm still navigating this. Where I am upfront is in situations where I might come across as weird and I think disclosing is the lesser of two "evils". So any sort of group event, group meal, etc. I'll usually set minds at ease by saying "I'm on the spectrum, so don't worry if I don't join in/want anything off the menu. You also don't need to worry about me feeling left out, I won't". It might not be right, but coming from an angle of needing accommodations hasn't worked for me. Being upfront but immediately reassuring that it's not a problem has worked best for me.

I don't advertise the business directly with any reference to me being autistic, as I don't see the relevance and using it as a USP is a double edged sword where the back edge is sharper. I do sometimes mention to clients where it plays to my strengths once I've got business: "I'm on the spectrum, so expect to get pragmatism based on facts rather than gossip". That works because it's positive, but also sets expectations on what I won't be doing so helps the interaction work better.
 
I would like to, but I wouldn’t do it because I worry it will attract a lot of negative attention.
 
Maybe if I put some humor into it? Like a big sign that says for example:


Forest Cat's Log Cabins, Garden and Forestry Supplies
Autistic Owner
(Don't worry, he's weird but very friendly)

:D​
 
I can understand advocacy/raising awareness, but except for specific people who are very close to me, I wouldn't just offer to label myself to make it easier for people to deal with me. I think they can figure that out on their own - now that I know that I am not an alien. If I'm apologetically offering the label, it might work to my disadvantage: "Oh, she's disabled" - no I'm not. I'd answer with no problem if they ask though. Maybe that's just me being annoying. But I generally would rather give that information from a position of strength.
 
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Imagine me owning a business, that would be a miracle and a half. But yes, there are still too many people who are ignorant as frick and will say something incredibly putrid, like, "I don't think I should buy anything from you if you're autistic. I know someone who has an autistic son and he's destroying their life". Or they'll just say "You don't look/act/sound autistic". Maybe I'd put a sign saying "I don't 'look autistic', you don't look like an idiot. And yet here we both are."
 
If it were a business targeted at Autistics (i.e. selling stimming toys and gadgets or sensory stuff) or people with learning disabilities I think it could be beneficial calling it autistic owned and operated.
 
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