ASD Diagnosis for Aiden

I'm Aiden. A 43 year old non-binary self-employed queer from Amsterdam the Netherlands, and I've been struggling to get the help I need from the Dutch Healthcare system for the past decade.

Basically I need to get screened for Autism a.s.a.p. if I do this the way my insurance wants, I will lose the gender healthcare I am currently getting.

Due to the long waiting lists in NL, I will have to wait about 9-12 months before I can finally get an intake with any organization for the autism screening. Followed by another 3-6 months of waiting for the actual diagnosis part to start. The estimate for getting the diagnosis sorted this way is another 1,5 to 2 years in the most positive case and I can't wait that long.

Why can't you wait?

I am non-binary transmasculine and suffer from bodily and social dysforia. The gendercare organization (which took me 5 years of waiting list to get to) that is treating me for this needs my autism to be diagnosed or ruled out before they will move forward with help. They can not do the diagnosis, since they lack the expertise.

Until this has been diagnosed my treatment with them is on hold, and if I do not get it sorted before a certain timeframe, they will have to close my file (health insurance rules), meaning that I lose my gender care, and have to go to the back of that 5 year queue to get help again.

But you've been doing fine so far right?

I'm a chronically ill person to start with, so I'm used to everything costing me more time money and energy. Next to that, I'm very good at masking, but in reality my existence is the same as any other chronically ill persons; hard and exhausting work. I am pretty open about my (mental) health since I believe there is no shame in being different, but I do not advertise my limitations or struggles on social media.

Why not just pay for it yourself?

Hand dyeing yarn does not make a lot of money. The work I do is a labor of love more than anything. Paying this out of pocket is not an option. I wish it was.

What is the benefit of getting this done officially?

I'll be able to continue working with the gender care center to get myself sorted and not have to wait another 5 years before I can finally get help.

With an autism diagnose on paper (or even knowing I don't have autism) I will be able to apply for governmental aid that will make my work and life a whole lot easier.

So I'm going to do be part of the problem that is capitalism, and seek out private care.

This gofundme will be used to pay the bills to have a private company diagnose me and finally give me the answer if I am 'officially' autistic. Doing this privately means that I will be able to get the diagnosis or dismissal within the timeframe the gender care organization has set. The total cost for this option runs from 3000-5000 euros, depending on how complicated my case is.

So there you have it. Me asking the community to help, since the system is failing me.