This First Person article is written by Jennifer Burgess, who lives in Calgary.⁠ •⁠ I was the child who couldn't stay out of trouble. Later in life, I finally found out why. ⁠ •⁠ I didn't understand the rules: I pocketed my friend's rocks, followed when I was not wanted. ⁠ •⁠ "You don't need to act the clown to get people to like you." ⁠ •⁠ Even as an adult, I had dysfunctional relationships because I did not grasp when I was being taken advantage of.⁠ •⁠ Then I was diagnosed with autism at 59.⁠ •⁠ I began to accept myself. But it was only when Dr. S. delivered his diagnosis that the full puzzle became clear.⁠ •⁠ When he spoke those words to me about having a life of challenge and not failure, I felt that tingling in my stomach — the sign for me of an "aha" moment. I knew he was right.⁠ •⁠ I faced, survived and overcame numerous challenges because I am autistic. I thought I was broken. Now I know I'm just different. I finally know in my core that I have not had a life of failure.⁠ •⁠ Read the full story at the LINK IN BIO. ⁠ ⁠ #yyc #alberta #firstperson #calgary