In this chapter, a late diagnosed autistic person shares their experiences growing up feeling different. They discuss their struggles with social engagement and their attempts to fit in by observing and imitating popular kids. The chapter highlights the challenges of reading social situations and not knowing how to interact and play with others.
Over the past two decades, our cultural understanding of autism and what it means to be autistic has grown - though we have a long way to go. But there are entire generations of people who grew up when the popular conception of autism was a far cry from how it’s now understood.
It meant a whole host of people who grew up feeling like they didn’t fit in, but never quite knowing why.
They were autistic, but undiagnosed. And when a diagnosis did come as an adult – it was often revelatory and life-changing.
On All in the Mind this week, 'hidden histories’ of late-diagnosed autistic adults.
First broadcast 8 August 2021.