I had no clue that I was an autistic person until my 50s. I have masked heavily my whole life. I was just seen *and othered* as weird, sensitive, creative, gifted, intense, nerdy, awkward, withdrawn, quirky, blunt, clumsy, etc., etc. ... I have carried depression and anxiety, to varying degrees, as long as I can remember. Stomach and intestinal issues. Extreme sensory sensitivities. Special interests. A perfectionist with executive functioning issues. I cocooned myself in art, literature, and science. …