While my diagnosis came at age 45, I knew I was different my whole life. It's hard not to think about the "what ifs". I'm in my 40s just now finishing up an associates degree

Idk if this is considered what you’re asking but I was diagnosed at 18 while in college

I chalk it up to things just happening when they need to happen. I’m probably someone with their head in the clouds but when I think too much about the latter I spiral.

Yes- I was diagnosed at age 22, but suspected since like 4th grade

i have never been officially diagnosed, but i was put on Adderall this January, and im almost 19. i very much get your feelings of mourning a life that could have been, and we are all here for you

Diagnosed at 39 and I work in mental health and my diagnosis almost killed me… It’s hard to not be angry about the missed diagnosis

I am 29 years old and was just diagnosed earlier this year. I think my thought patterns and self talk could have been a lot more positive my whole life.

You won't be. I have been with it my entire life and everyone has a different take on it

I'm 60 and was diagnosed 3 weeks ago. I struggled at school, I just thought I couldn't be bothered. I was labelled a dreamer, amongst other names. From about 40, I thought something was wrong with me and even spoke to someone who worked in mental health who just told me we are all on the Autism Spectrum somewhere. So I left it. My daughter spoke to me last year and suggested I get tested because she had been diagnosed and recognised we share traits. Even her telling me was a massive light bulb moment, like lighthouse bulb size. So, my journey starts here. Yes, my life would have been different if I'd been diagnosed earlier, but I can't change that. I have had a great life, so far, I have great children, some relationships I destroyed along the way. Would I want to erase all of that for something I don't know 🤔? No, I don't. I think I'll just have to write a few letters to all of the people I upset by destroying our relationships. Then burn them, probably. It's probably easy for me to say, but being angry for not being diagnosed early enough is only going to cause you harm. It isn't going to change anything. Draw a line in the sand as a starting line, step over it, and move forward from here.