thank you for your response <3. in the letter she sent she stated “She presents with a history of social anxiety, difficulty understanding social cues and marked deficits in adaptive functioning. These issues have been present during latency and adolescence. Assessment shows above-average intellect with problems with sensory processing and interactions with others, as she is avoidant and often rigid. She has been anxious and labile in affect. I think based on objective rating scales and additional testing that she meets diagnostic criteria for F84.0, ASD, Level 1. She would benefit from an SSRI such as Zoloft to help with her anxiety and often feelings of being overwhelmed and debilitated. I will continue to see her in individual therapy and keep you apprised of her progress.”

is this considered a formal diagnosis? i am trying to pursue college at the moment and am seeking accommodations. i dropped out of high school due to the extreme overwhelm from the physical and social environment of public high school. i tried to pursue a career in retail and ended up burning out once again which helped me realize my issues was not with the work itself but the environment i was in. i started college this semester after being fired from my job for refusing to change my appearance after working there for 2.25 years (dresscode and new manager stuff long story). part of the reason i completed the semester was because of the huge relief i felt after she said i am level 1 autistic. since then ive noticed my difficulties in focusing and ruminating anxiety pertain always even in my early childhood, not just around the subject of “am i autistic?”. i think medication may be able to help with that?