My disability sometimes has an impact on others. I might need more help than expected, have to cancel a plan, or not provide certain kids of support to friends. Those situations used to make me feel "less than". It has taken me a while to leave those feelings behind after learning I'm autistic and that my needs are not a fault, but a right.

Over time, I've managed to build my needs into my relationships by making sure my friends and family know what they are. So when I need to cancel before a get-together, leave early, or take a break from communication, it doesn't feel mysterious or surprising. Overall, it's a relief to be able to be open about my needs without fear of a self-esteem backlash. Sure, not everybody gets it. But most of the time, my sense of integrity and wellbeing is worth more to me at this point than pleasing everybody.

Share questions:

• How do you acknowledge the impact that your disability can sometimes have on others, without feeling like you have to apologize for who you are?
• Have you ever had a relationship where both you and the other person were on the same page about each other's needs? What was it like, and how did you get to that point?
• What is your self-esteem currently like around this topic?
• Do you carry any thoughts/emotions around this topic from your pre-identification years? Describe.
• Any resources, strategies, or tools that helped you?
• Anything else to share?