> One issue could be that most of us don't really understand what it even means to be autistic or on the spectrum unless we know someone personally in family/fr

> One issue could be that most of us don't really understand what it even means to be autistic or on the spectrum unless we know someone personally in family/friends. This is a great point, and I've found that it can be still hold even when family and friends are involved. My niece is autistic. She was diagnosed very young, and also years before I was. As a result, my family doesn't take my diagnosis very seriously. I'm apparently "nothing like" my niece (as if all autistic people present the same way), and I've also been masking fairly convincingly for decades. I suppose there's just no winning sometimes. Anyways, I do agree with you and others here that being too upfront about this might not be the best move. However, I also feel that my usual approach — just being myself and hoping for the best — can be improved a bit by sharing just the right amount and in just the right way. Perhaps something involving sharing preferences and sensitivities as they come up, and avoiding labels unless others mention them first.