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My Place in this World with Lars Backstrom
- GAIN Together
- Mar 17
- 1 min read
In this edition of My Place in This World, Lars Backstrom shares his journey of discovering he is autistic – after a lifetime of not knowing.
Diagnosed at 51, Lars reflects on growing up misunderstood, facing bullying and trauma, and struggling through school while his autism remained unrecognised. Yet small moments changed the course of his life. A teacher who encouraged his love of reading opened the door to critical thinking and confidence, while finding a community through gaming helped him connect with others.
From those early turning points, Lars went on to study physics, serve as a platoon commander during national service, and build an international career. In this video, he shares the lessons he learned navigating life as an undiagnosed autistic person – including the importance of persistence, asking for help, and finding spaces where you can truly belong.
Lars is open to answering any questions you might have following this recording. Do share any questions you may have in the comments section and he will respond via this blog.
Thank you to Lars for sharing his story. We hope has inspired you to find your place in this world. Find your place in insurance and investment by joining GAIN as a Free individual member at FOR INDIVIDUALS | GAIN Together
I read the post and it really shares a deep reflection on finding your place in the world, especially through personal growth and understanding your own journey. It made me think about times when I felt unsure about my direction too, and during one tough semester I used online course help just to stay on track while figuring things out. That phase helped me grow slowly. The story reminds me that everyone finds their place step by step.