Because I'm good at masking my struggles, and because my mom was good at accommodating some of my most obvious struggles, like covering up or removing tags in my clothes, making lunch that she knew I could eat etc.

I did well in school and the teachers liked me, which means I wasn't a problematic student, so I was overlooked.

I got diagnosed because of my severe depression. I was referred to the hospital's psychiatric unit, because of the severity of my condition. The nurse I was assigned, picked up on my autistic traits, and made sure I was evaluated for autism before they finished my treament.

My family has been very kind, my dad doesn't really understand it, but my mom feels likes she got some good explaination of my struggles, and is generally supportive. However, she still needs to get used to me saying I have autism.

My brother is happy for me, and my sister has ADHD, so she understands some of my struggles.