being 3 years behind my neurotypical peers. True ?

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I remember the other day reading in a guide book to Aspergers that a young person with Aspergers or parents of a child with Aspergers may be behind in life (by at least 3 years) compared to their neurotypical peers. I seem to think that is the case for me. I didn't leave school until 18 nearly 19 compared to others who leave 16, I didn't go to university until 22 compared to others who go at 18 or 19 and graduate at 22 and I didn't get into paid work until 26 compared to someone to someone at 23 having finished university and got a job that is relevant to their university degree.

I didn't go to college until I was 36. People typically start college at 18 in the United States.

Does that mean I'm 18 years behind?

3 years, in the grand scheme of things, really isn't all that much.

So what if you get your degree at 25 instead of 22?

I definitely feel like I'm reaching milestones years after my peers did. I thought I would never be able to do these things because I was not able to at the same time as everyone else, but I have got there, just at my own pace. I don't think it's strictly set at 3 years though; everybody's different.

I think I've read that more in the context of asynchronous development. So often kids with asperger's may be academically at grade level or above, but socially be approx. 3 years "behind" their peers developmentally. Or they may be struggling academically because of their social and sensory difficulties, but there's a significant gap between that they're theoretically capable of and what they're achieving in the classroom.

Regardless, these are just generalizations. Everyone is different!

I got my Bachelor's Degree at 23, just a little later than average, and my Master's at 26. I got my first real job at 29, teaching English at the junior college level. I didn't get my first driver's license until I was 48. I am well behind in a lot of things.