I Was 63 When I Learned I Was Autistic. Suddenly, My Entire Life Made Sense

• By: Bonnie Schneider Priever
• August 27th, 2026
• autism awareness, autism masking, autism research, autistic women, late autism diagnosis, late-life diagnosis, neurodiversity, personal stories
• 363    1

When I was a little girl, I often played alone. While other children instinctively understood the social dance of the playground, I hovered at the edges, unsure of the rules. Teachers described me as bright but socially awkward. Report cards noted that I did not always "play well with peers." I...