When Tony Snell learned he had autism, “it just made my whole life, everything about my life, make so much sense,” he said.

On February 10, 2023, Tony Snell, number 33, of the Maine Celtics lines up to attempt a free shot against the Cleveland Charge.

After receiving an eye-opening, late-in-life diagnosis, Tony Snell is relieved.

The 31-year-old NBA veteran recently appeared on the Today show and disclosed that he had autism.

After Snell and his wife Ashley realized that their little son Karter was struggling to meet some developmental milestones, Snell received his diagnosis. Karter was eventually diagnosed with autism after a doctor advised the parents to take him to get tested.

Snell, though, admitted to the publication that his son’s diagnosis caused him to consider his own actions as a child.

“I’ve always been alone, and I was always independent growing up. Snell said to Today co-anchor Craig Melvin, “I just couldn’t connect with folks on the personal side of things. “I feel like I might be diagnosed if [Karter] is,” I had the bravery to get checked out after that.

Snell, who is now 31 years old, was given the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder after making that decision last year.

The autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to Autism Speaks, is “a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication.”

The organization states that between the ages of two and three, autistic symptoms typically appear. The Child Mind Institute notes that because autism is a spectrum disorder, symptoms can be overlooked and that clinicians may wish to wait for a youngster to mature before making a diagnosis.

On March 19, 2023, Tony Snell #9 of the Maine Celtics shoots a free throw against the Windy City Bulls in the opening period of an NBA G-League game.

Since I’ve always felt different, I wasn’t startled. Snell said of receiving his diagnosis, “It was just relief, like, yeah, this is why I am the way I am. “It simply made my entire life and everything in it make so much sense. It was as though wearing 3D glasses gave you more clarity.

Snell acknowledged that he believes that if he had received an autistic diagnosis as a youngster, it might have hampered him due to the stigma and ignorance that existed at the time.

“I believe my options [would’ve] been restricted by what I could probably do… If I had been diagnosed with autism back then, I doubt I would have played in the NBA since my abilities would have been restricted, he added.

The athlete is working with the Special Olympics in an effort to break down the stigma associated with autism and serve as an inspiration for those who have the diagnosis.

“I just want to inspire people and improve lives. I want my son to know that he can count on me, Snell told the publication. When I was younger, I felt different, but I could now prove to him that I’m right here with you and that we’re going to ride this thing together. We’re going to develop closer relationships and achieve a lot of things together.