Hello. Are there any people here who were born in the 70s and 80s, always different, now diagnosed with high-functioning autism? Like me?

I'm almost 50 years old, and I've always felt I was different. Even in preschool, at the age of three, I felt it clearly. But it wasn't a problem for me. I functioned very well. I asked my mother why the children at preschool were different from me. She didn't understand my questions. So I decided she was different too. As if it were natural that most people are different from me, although I don't know why. But I never wanted to be like those others, even at three or four years old. In a sense, I felt they were a separate species, even though they looked the same. To simplify a bit – like a dog and a cat. Both species, in a simplified description, have the same physical characteristics: fur, four legs, a tail, ears... But they're different species. And that's normal. That's how I felt in preschool. After that, it was different.

  • I was born in the 60's, I didn't go to preschool, but I hated primary school, I remember feeling so overwhelmed and different, then trying desperately to fit in and never quite managing.

  • I was born in late 80's. I felt similar in pre school. I was sure, there is noone like me in this world. I was always different and loner. It hurt a lot. I always wanted to be like others. Maybe it's because I was criticised a lot. I'm not officially diagnosed,  only suspected. 

  • I always knew there was something off about me.  I was bright but weird.  i couldn't understand why my peers seemed so immature.

  • I'm now late 50's. I always said it was like being on the outside looking in and couldnt explain why I didnt/couldnt experience things the same as apparently others appeared to.

    Likewise was seen as bright and generally middle or top set, but come exams I totally lost it with grades far below my work. I struggled with work off the board, just assumed with my eyes, and totally useless at dictation- which was heavy in my secondary/senior years. Useless really at PE/Games- wasnt for me. Enjoyed Art and also Maths once the logic clicked.