Autistic and Undiagnosed: Tony Snell’s Story Is Changing How We See Sports and Neurodiversity

Many people with autism do not even consider taking up a sport due to their disability. The common belief is that it would be difficult and offer little to no benefit. In reality, participation in organized sports can provide a wide range of benefits for individuals diagnosed with autism.

Sensorimotor activity involves tasks and exercises that engage and strengthen the brain by simultaneously activating the body and senses—and it’s a prime example of a function that can be enhanced through the kind of intentional practice that comes from engaging in sports.

Autism isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. It covers a broad range of neuropsychological differences impacting individual and social functioning. Autistic people consistently show differences in communication, social interaction, sensory processing, and overall motor performance.

For some, social challenges manifest as difficulty understanding the behavior of those around them, which can create obstacles when navigating or responding to social environments—such as interpreting facial expressions or nonverbal cues. This lack of social skills can negatively impact learning and relationships with others.

NBA player Tony Snell is a powerful example of how sports can positively impact the life of someone who is autistic. Snell was diagnosed at age 31—after having a fruitful NBA career from 2013 to 2022.

Snell’s diagnosis came after his wife, Ashley, noticed that their young son, Carter, was missing key developmental milestones. At 18 months old, their son wasn’t speaking and displayed repetitive motions and sounds. That led Snell to get tested after realizing he shared similar behaviors—and the results were positive.

Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft, Snell went on to play for the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, the Portland Trail Blazers, and finished the 2021–22 season with the New Orleans Pelicans. He also played 19 games for the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate during the most recent season—all while no one suspected he had autism.

After his diagnosis, Snell said, “It just made my whole life—everything about my life—make so much sense.” For him, basketball had always been a way to escape the feeling of being an outsider to his peers and those around him.

Although Snell played basketball undiagnosed, he still achieved elite performance levels and made it to the pros. Still, he admits it was probably better that he learned about his autism later in life. However, in an effort to help others succeed, he created The Tony Snell Foundation.

Through his foundation, Snell works to help inner-city families and children of color gain access to autism-related services—resources he has learned are often unaffordable or difficult to find for those who need them most.

According to the CDC, autism affects roughly 1 in 36 children. While Snell’s diagnosis isn’t more important than anyone else’s, his decision to go public will raise awareness and, hopefully, lead to more investment into understanding autism—its causes, treatments, and ways to support those living with it.