My psychology visit

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So I went to the doctor for sleeping issues and was referred to psychology for anxiety/depression concerns. On my second visit the psychologist mentioned autism. So I went back to the psychologist today for my third visit and at the end of the session I asked her what she thought was going on with me.

She again brought up high functioning autism or a sensory sensitivity disorder which I have never heard of. I know sensory sensitivity can be an aspect of autism but never heard of it as a stand alone disorder. So it is looking like my suspicions were correct and I have autism. Unfortunately the psychologist I am seeing said they do not do specific testing. I am not sure what she meant by this, I dont know if she meant they dont confirm with standardized tests and instead confirm through observations and interviews. Or if she was trying to say that I wont be able to get an official diagnosis from her.

She is saying she suspects you have a Sensory Processing Disorder which is a stand alone diagnosis or Autism and that you will not be able get a diagnosis from her because she does not specialize in diagnosing these conditions. There are specific diagnostic tests for autism. A proper autism assessment uses these tests, observation, and as much knowledge of your childhood as possible.

As disappointing as this is to hear she is doing right by you. We have many posters who have not gotten diagnosed and misdiagnosed a number of times because their clinicians had casual, simplistic or dated knowledge about autism. I would ask her if she had any recommendations of how to get assessed by a specialist in how autism and Sensory Processing Disorder presents in young adults.