I'm asking for advice about contacting a former dear friend

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I've been friend with K for many years throughout my teenager years and if it weren't for her, I would have been off even worse. We went through a lot, stick together very much, although I couldn't understand this friendship business at all and was extremely mean to her many times, no understanding that she was my friend.
About 2 to 3 years ago, we just stopped talking after a couple of arguments that were also about my autistic traits. I didn't know I was autistic back then though.

Now I've met K again, accidentally and for a few minutes only. I think she felt awkward, but she talked to me right away, even asked whether she was allowed to hug me and she asked whether I'd contact her via mail. It was nice.

That was in May 2007.

I didn't want to contact K at that time, because I got in trouble again, changed school because I was again bullied heavily for being 'weird and strange' and well, autistic. And I was diagnosed with autism at that time too and trouble generally grew other my head.
I figured if I wanted to be truthful with her that I'd have to tell her that she had put up with autism all the time when she was friends with me.
I don't know how to do it though or if it's really a good idea or how to explain her in another way that I never grew out of my 'weirdness', but that it doesn't mean that I never grew up - because one of our last arguments were about how either I or K failed to grow up.

I wonder whether it would be still acceptable to write her a mail although May is a long time ago. I don't know what to do. I liked K very much and would like to get in contact with her again.

Just do it, ASAP. If you put it off, it's hard to break the cycle of avoidance. Don't forget to apologise the delay, explain why and then say what you want to say.

Figured it would be better to have contacted her a few months ago. It's just, how do I tell her or should I tell her at all? It's not exactly common knowledge that I'm autistic, which is good, but presents a problem in this case.

And thank you for the reminder that I should apologise to her for taking such a long time! I'll do that, that's very good.

Telling her or not's up to you. If you do, provide some info. Some people still think of autism as falsely as they think about schizophrenia (in it being a synonym for dissasociative identity disorder). People can and do freak out. Tell them if you want, but make sure they're clear on what it actually is you have...

Oh, forgot to mention. Don't completely overwhelm them with information, that'd completely defeat the point.

Why don't you just send her this post? Sometimes we get lucky and a friend loves us unconditionally. That's the type of friend it seems like this one is. Good luck.