We often assume that Autistic wiring shows clear, stereotypical signs early in life—when a toddler lines up toys with architectural precision or recites the entire subway map before kindergarten. But for many, recognition doesn't come until much later. Not because autism arrives late, but because it was always there—just expressed in quieter, more easily overlooked ways. Sometimes, in fact, the signs were missed precisely because the person was so focused on understanding you.