I don't know about anyone else, but I have been wondering why it took so long for me to be diagnosed. I have been in therapy for years and it has never been mentioned - not even by the therapist who wrote the note that started all of this. My current therapist did suggest ADHD, which I rejected very soundly (that is another post).
Likely reasons why my autism was missed:
1. I was not seen by any autism specialists.
2. I have other conditions that produce similar symptoms to the autism and ADHD. Some of my other conditions include: anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
3. Women/girls are harder to diagnosis because we don't present with "typical" symptoms. We are also very good at masking the symptoms.
Somehow, I have learned how to live with these two conditions and function at a high level for both. However, they definitely both affect my daily life and now I am starting to see that.
The autism affects my ability to socialize as my social skills are off and always have been.
My impulsivity may be related to my obesity as I cannot control my eating no matter what I try.
Some of my anxiety may actually be the ADHD coming through.
I cannot sit still. I have to be doing something - whether it's tapping my leg or fiddling with the rings on my hands, I have to always be moving. Unless I am doing something like taking notes. Then I can focus.
I have difficulty dealing with my emotions, which may be partially due to the autism. I have multiple contributors to this issue. Depression, anxiety and PTSD all have contributed.
I collect hobbies.
How I proceed from here is the next question and the biggest portion of that may be whether or not I take medication for the ADHD. People around me seem to think it could be helpful, so I may give it a try.
Well, this gives me more fodder for my blogging and for this website.