Well, I have had a policy of hiding and denying it for awhile because I fear professional reprisal or being treated differently. There are very few people in my circle of friends (and even relatives) that know I'm autistic, again because it's a deeply personal thing and because I don't want to be treated differently from others.

I've written about this on the web in the past, but then would go back later and edit or delete a post because I didn't want people to trace it back to me personally. I think I'm done with that.

I think people need to see that having moderate Autism isn't a social death sentence with the right treatment and hard work. That's why I attached my name to this post. If people want to stop talking to me because of it, then that is on them.

Professionally you'll be put into situations that you are just not cut for, so you better tell them before they get disappointed. I mean, I'm doing this programming for more than a decade, somewhat expected by the boss (who I worked for before I realized me being an aspie) to guide a team in a nice and friendly manner (I don't know, is that all just about sending smiley faces on slack? I work remote, with language and timezones between us).

Back in the early naughts I had programmed a blog-software (before know what blogs are) and used it for my ramblings. Someone from my class (I'd say he was in my circle, not sure if he'd considered me a friend, in retrospect) discovered it and one day said something like "suicide is a form of self-critique". I don't think my writing was that bad.

Congratulations on your choice! I don't think there's anything wrong with having autistic business partners, employees, lovers, spouses, children, relatives, or friends. Anyone who does is ignorant and/or ultimately not worthy of your time. Autism is not a death sentence of any kind. High-functioning autism is often barely noticeable in adults, and more severe forms often not crippling either. You won't stop being autistic, but you'll learn how to cope and make the most of life.

All the autistic people I know are actually quite affectionate too -- more than non-autistic people. That's just anecdotal, I know. For at least one person I know, I think that's quite a gift.