I didn't realize I was Autistic until I was 13. It explained why I did certain things like hide in corners, being scared of certain things even if it was mostly harmless and why I was placed in special ed classes from pre K to 7th grade. Middle school was horrible. My early high school years were bad too. Sometimes I wish I went to a special school so I wouldn't have been teased for being in special ed classes or for being awkward. But, my mom was stubborn and wanted me to be "normal."