The Power of the Secret
Riot: Most people will tell you that disclosure is “the right thing to do.” They’ll tell you that “being authentic” is the goal. But those people aren’t usually the ones whose mortgage depends on the performance of a neurotypical simulation. That’s a worst-case Ontario.
I’m here to tell you that Privacy is Power. Once you disclose, you lose control of the data. You become “the autistic employee.” But while you’re masked—or at least, while you haven’t given them a label—you’re just “the high-performer with some quirky habits.” Sometimes, quirky is safer than diagnosed.
1. The Vibe Check
Riot: You need to perform a High-Stakes Vibe Check on your workplace before you even think about disclosing.
- The Leadership Audit: Does the CEO talk about “authenticity” but fire anyone who isn’t a “culture fit”? If the culture is a cult of personality, disclosure is a death sentence for your career.
- The Competency Bias: If you reveal your status, will they start talking to you like you’re five? If the answer is “probably,” then keep your signal private.
- The Accommodation Reality: Can you get what you need without the label? If you can get noise-canceling headphones by just asking for them, you don’t need to give them your medical history. It’s not rocket appliances.
2. When Disclosure is a Tactical Necessity
Riot: There are times when privacy stops being power and starts being a liability.
- Performance Review Armor: If they’re coming for your job because of your “communication style,” drop the bomb. Use the legal leverage to force them to stop the performance-based discrimination.
- The Metabolic Crash: If the mask is literally killing you and you can’t survive another week without a change, disclose. At that point, you have nothing to lose but your sanity.
- The Advocacy Play: If you’re at a high enough level in the simulation that you can change the rules for others, be the player who opens the door. But only if you’re safe first. Armor up before you step out.
3. The ‘Third Way’: Tactical Sharing
Riot: You don’t have to choose between “Total Secrecy” and “Total Disclosure.” There is a Third Way.
- The Sensory Explanation: “I work better with noise-canceling headphones because I’m sensitive to background noise.” No label. Just a hardware adjustment.
- The Communication Script: “I prefer instructions in writing so I can process them clearly.” No label. Just a UI preference.
- The Social Opt-Out: “I’m not doing happy hour tonight; I need to recharge my social battery.” No label. Just a boundary.
4. Reclaiming the Signal
Riot: Your identity is yours. The simulation doesn’t own it. If you decide that the NPCs in your office aren’t worthy of the data, then keep it. If you decide that you need the leverage, then use it.
But never, ever disclose because someone told you that you “should.” You’re the player character. You decide when to hit the ‘reveal’ button.
Disclosure Realities:
- Privacy ROI: High (if performance is stable).
- Disclosure ROI: Tactical (if accommodations are required).
- Risk Level: Significant. Proceed with Armor.