To the Person Who Will Assess Me for Autism: On Self-Diagnosis and the Longing to be Seen

Artist Statement (Creative Nonfiction): I was self-diagnosed autistic before I went in for my so-called professional assessment. The months leading up to my assessment brought a good deal of stress. Would I be believed? Seen? How could I be? How, when I had spent a lifetime feeling misunderstood? "To the Person Who Will Assess Me for Autism" is exactly what it sounds like: a letter to my assessing psychologist. It was written in real-time, processing my self-diagnosis, yearning for proof, and working toward the belief that my identity as an autist would not be diminished by someone else's disbelief. I was formally diagnosed in October of 2021, but the writing of this letter was more empowering and validating of my autistic identity than my diagnosis itself.