Health · Mental Health · 5 hrs ago
Autistic teenager describes bullying and exhaustion after trying to fit in
Nuria Dell Agnolo was diagnosed with autism in third grade and grew up in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
After her classmates were told about autism, she says they misunderstood her and bullied her.
She tried to fit in, including by ignoring sensory discomfort, but by fifth grade school had become too much and she developed depression.
She later returned to a regular school class of 40 students, where she felt more at ease, though she continued hiding how difficult school was.
Autism specialist Andreas Eckert says some girls work hard to blend in, which can leave them exhausted and may contribute to depression.
Dell Agnolo is now 17 and doing an apprenticeship at an autism publishing house in a protected setting.
She has postponed the idea of pursuing a vocational qualification.
Nuria Dell Agnolo, 17, says she became a bullying target after classmates were told she was autistic.
She was diagnosed in third grade and later experienced school refusal, depression and repeated absences.
She says she tried to fit in by hiding sensory discomfort and copying popular classmates.
Dell Agnolo now has an apprenticeship at the Autism Publishing House in St. Gallen, a protected environment she says suits her for now.
Autism specialist Andreas Eckert says constant efforts to adapt can lead to exhaustion, burnout or depression.
- Who
- Nuria Dell Agnolo, a 17-year-old autistic teenager.
- What
- She describes bullying, depression and the exhaustion of trying to fit in at school.
- When
- She was diagnosed in third grade; the article was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- She is doing an apprenticeship at the Autism Publishing House in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
- Why
- She says classmates did not understand her condition, and she tried to fit in because she feared losing the privilege of being seen as normal.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Dell Agnolo was diagnosed with autism, and a specialist explained autism to her classmates.
School became too much for Dell Agnolo, her absences increased, and she refused to attend.
Her parents arranged for her to return to mainstream school in St. Gallen, where she joined a class of 40 pupils.
At 17, Dell Agnolo was doing an apprenticeship at the Autism Publishing House in St. Gallen.
- Age
- 17
- Diagnosis
- Autism, in third grade
- Mainstream class
- 40 pupils, supported by three teachers
- Current location
- St. Gallen
- Current work
- Apprenticeship at the Autism Publishing House
What people are saying
That is how I became the absolute bullying victim.
I hate jeans. Today I only wear fabric trousers or dresses.
Everything got even worse.
Every autistic person should scream at the thought of a class that size.
Sources
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