Late diagnosed at 18 — did anyone else struggle without knowing why?
I'm 18 and was recently diagnosed with autism — something I wish had happened a lot sooner.
Looking back, one moment that really stuck with me was sitting in biology class at 15, staring at walls of dense text and long verbal instructions, completely zoning out. I had no idea why I couldn't focus the way others seemed to. I just assumed something was wrong with me.
Now I understand it wasn't a personal failing — it was a mismatch. The format didn't work for how my brain processes information. Nobody told me that at the time, and I spent years wondering why I was struggling when everyone else seemed fine.
I'm curious, did any of you experience something similar growing up, especially before your diagnosis? Moments where you couldn't process information the way it was being delivered, and had no language for why?
And looking back — what do you wish had existed to help you? A tool, a resource, a person, anything.
I'm just trying to understand my own experience better and hear from others who might relate. No agenda — just genuinely curious.