Would you tell your clients?

[Jerasi]

I found that I'm an Aspie just a couple of months ago by reading a random article and doing some online tests that all came positive. I'm an engineer and have a small office for few years now, I have some clients that I care about a lot and do not want them to misunderstand smoe situations or take stuff I say or do the wrong way... my question is: do I tell them I'm an aspie? or let them figure things out and risk being misunderstood? has anybody been in a similar situation? how do you deal with such a thing? thanks in advance>>>

 

[gregmcph]

You're an Engineer. A fairly large proportion of your fellow Engineers probably are too.
As a Computer Programmer, I can confidently say that the majority of programmers I have met are to some degree.

My opinion is that your work clients don't care.
They've hired you to do a job, and as long as you do it then all is fine.
You don't need to complicate the deal by giving them your personal issues. They wont know what to do with the information.
Just do your job professionally. If you appear a bit standoffish, well, they will deal with it as they will.

If there is someone who you have a very personal relationship with, sure, perhaps. But most don't care.

I don't know if this is Good advice or not, but it's the way I manage things.

 

[Jacki Cucinotta]

Hi Jerasi! Welcome to Aspies Central. I would at least let them know that you at least have the condition so they can have some understanding of who you are. I've always thought it was useful to be honest to co-workers about anything based on my personal experience. Hope my advice is useful to you in any way.

By the way, please feel free to join in any discussions on the forum if you ever have any questions that arise over time. We're extremely friendly and understanding. In fact, I like to call this forum an close-knit family because we always seem to be there for each other. Hope you enjoy it here.

 

[Jerasi]

My problem is that I'm very straight-forward kind of guy and clients might expect me to entertain and baby-sit them, something called socializing, hahaha... and I suck at that... Also, I might say or do something and get misunderstood or considered rude. good clients don't come by everyday...

 

[gregmcph]

How much socialising?
Is it a loud rough crowd that wants to go boozing and strip clubs?
How has it gone in the past?

 

[Jerasi]

Not much socialising, but probably a lunch or dinner here and there with lots of chit chat... very boring for me and usually I can't wait to get it done.
previously, it wasn't that long of a relationship for small jobs. but this is going to continue for years...

 

[gregmcph]

Are you alone in your business?
Any coworkers who you can bring along to the lunches to provide the chitchat?

 

[Jerasi]

Alone,...

 

[Arashi222]

Clients don't need to know. I think co-workers maybe depending on the situation. But honestly if you know you're an aspie you can take precautions to make sure knowing that sometimes you misunderstand things like double checking or asking the necessary questions regardless of how mundane the question might be. But its completely on a case by case kind of thought.

 

[gregmcph]

If it's part of your business to do the odd lunch, well, it's just something you have to learn to do.

I usually find the best way to go is to ask them questions and let them do 90% of the talking.
And say thank you, and leave without letting it drag on too long. You are off to see your family or some such lie.

 

[Cynthia]

I, similarly, found out last year (self-diagnosed). I first told a couple of friends and relatives, and they did not react well. They have a misunderstanding of what Asperger's is. I was told, "Don't sell yourself short." So now I am very choosey about whom I tell, and I don't tell very many people, except other Aspies. I believe Clients, as other NTs, would react in a similar or worse fashion. My clients are very important to me, and I cannot risk losing them, because they mean my business. They do not need to know, because Asperger's is not a debilitating condition nor is it a disability for me. Rather, it makes me better at what I do, gives me superfocus. So my response is, no - do not tell Clients. (The only exception to this would be if you work in the field of psychiatry, psychology, or counseling; then it would be relevant, or if the client admits that he or she is an Aspie).

 

[NeverEnder]

I would not directly tell my clients unless it somehow came up in common conversation and I felt comfortable enough with them in particular.