AIBU to wonder if some pursue diagnoses hoping for benefits?

To answer you question in respect of adults with bipolar, and assuming you genuinely have been taken in by recent news coverage, I'll give it a go. Getting a diagnosis of bipolar usually takes 8-10 years from first symptoms. Many patients are assumed to have depression and given antidepressants, which often makes things worse. Patients tend not to see their GP when hypomanic or manic (both often come with paranoia so you don't go talking to anyone about what is in your head). So often we bugger things up, lose jobs, break relationships etc and get no help at all. When we finally reach rock-bottom, it is difficult to get help and there are no hospital beds available. The chances of us filling in a PIP form to claim is bugger all. And should we manage to fill in the form, it's quite likely that unless we also have a physical illness, we won't hit enough points to get it. And if we do get it, then we get paranoid that if someone sees us on one our good weeks, we'll be viewed as a benefit cheat and get prosecuted. So I don't claim, as putting in the claim will, as a process, make me sicker. I hope this explanation goes some way to countering press coverage.

Yes I thought all children behaved differently at school and at their grandparents etc. than at home-I certainly did. I'm not ND. Now I'm wondering if I am though! Seems a bit unfair for some posters to blame teachers when they're not seeing any of the behaviour.

Recent experience shows this not to be the case in 2 areas we've lived in. A couple of online meetings and maybe one face to face with the child and parents is par for the course.

There is a heavy reliance on the school's actions to actually meet the thresholds to move to the next stage. GPs are reluctant to refer and pass it back to the schools.

I don't think it's right but it's what is happening.

20 years ago it was different.

Of course not🤔

No the don’t. The final reports lean heavily on info gleaned during the long sessions with the young person, the ADOS and developmental history.

Could you name one of these many forums and subs with rules on 'claims farming'? Or an example?

Edit: Nobody ever can.

Hi OP. It's been nearly 20 years since my ds received his diagnosis and the first point of call was the GP who referred him to CAMHS and thus followed 18 months of assessments. The school gave some input - mostly criticizing my ds and my parenting to basically obscene levels of untruthfulness.

Being generous, I put that down to the school staff being very young and inexperienced in life (the senco was 23 with no SEN experience) as not all teachers have such a complete lack of knowledge. Nonetheless it was a small school in a rural location and due to the ensuing social and educational ostracism we had to move away.

Some teachers just don't know as much as they think they do and can cause serious damage to dc and their families when their uneducated observations make it into 'reports' and seep out from the school gate into the local community.

🙄 indeed. You are basing your opinion on your single experience.

The final reports rely heavily on and quote directly from the information provided by the schools. Information which can take hours to compile and present.

Your repeated use of the word 'ignorant' is very telling.

I've completed 4x 20 to 30 page forms and questionnaires in the last year. The reports have then quoted me directly when reaching their conclusions. It is worrying if parents aren't aware of this.

Unless they can bribe the multiple medical professionals who have to provide evidence to also exaggerate, it's irrelevant.

If the evidence doesn't match what is said in the forms, they aren't going to be successful.

Yes I’m aware of all of those indicators mentioned in that article. There are often cases where none of that is seen in school, or at least not enough to raise any red flags. As I said, teachers can only report what they actually see.

I am of course only speaking from my experience in my own school, perhaps there are schools where staff are less aware but important to acknowledge children can often not show any concerning behaviours in the school setting.

There are other indicators that differ to the stereotypical inductors more often seen in boys that teachers and schools absolutely should be aware of. There is no excuse not to be aware.

https://www.attwoodandgarnettevents.com/blogs/news/recognizing-and-understanding-autistic-girls-at-school

It doesnt matter wether people exaggerate, they still need proof DLA dont just take the parents word for it.

It's actually quite common. An ADHD diagnosis is very common in children and adults, mainly because the threshold has been lowered. Fewer criteria are needed gor a diagnosis. This was done partly to include borderline cases.

I think some, but not all, exaggerate.

I'm autistic, as is one (probably two) of my children. I also have a serious, life-limiting genetic condition. Let me tell you, there is virtually no safety net for anyone who is even half-functioning as a human being. I hate the benefits fraud narrative. It's a total lie and makes it even harder than it already is for struggling people to cope.

You know children can and do behave completely differently in school than they do at home and I’m sure you know autism is harder to diagnose in girls than boys due to their ability to mask? Teachers can only write on forms what they actually see in front of them on a daily basis, it doesn’t make them “ignorant” that they’re not seeing the behaviours you see. I’ve had children in class who appear to be doing absolutely fine all day every day in school, no outward signs of any struggle or distress whatsoever who the go home and fall apart. Only with communication from parents and really getting to know the child would allow you to notice the “signs” of anything being amiss.

That's not true, at least where I live. Your GP refers you, then both the parents and school will get a survey to fill out. That will be assessed by children's mental health team who will decide if meets the criteria for assessment. That's why it's so frustrating that perceived lower needs or higher functioning children will get missed because often their teachers will say they don't observe symptoms. What's even worse than that is often there will be behavioural issues or things teachers have said yet when it comes to filling out the form they will mention none of it so the assessment is denied.

Even if the full cost of the glasses were met by the NHS ,that wouldn't require a monthly payment
DLA is based on the care the child needs above and beyond that of typical child for at least one hour a day
If you are not providing that then the child wouldnt be eligible

You can get a voucher toward the cost but unsurprisingly a teen doesn't want the most basic design. Also the lenses she needs for sport are not at all covered, nor are the ones that opticians recommend now that actually slow the progress of myopia but are £££ . Again, Im not after a handout myself, I'm just raising it as an issue.

No, I can't see they are pursuing diagnosis for benefits. As it doesn't help the claim, which is on need not a label. One DC has a life long, no cure, high care need, regular medicine, incurable condition. The care is very standard for all who have it (unlike ADHD or Autism which our other child has and are varying levels and needs for each child), but there was no standardised response to a DLA claim. We had to explain every step we carry out and the impact on ours and their life as part of the application process. We haven't applied for our other child, as their needs are low and extra expenses minimal (we have to pay out of pocket for a lot to support our DC, and lost income, so use the DLA towards that).

I do think there are other, sometimes disingenuous, reasons that some people pursue diagnosis. Including attention seeking, being 'special', etc. Not the majority, I would like to think that generally it is to get appropriate help and support for the child. But I do know some that like to go on about how special and different their children are because they have the diagnosis. However, it doesn't help a benefits claim for them to have it.

Disability benefits are based on needs, not diagnosis. You don’t need a diagnosis to get DLA/PIP. Conversely, a diagnosis alone doesn’t make you eligible. It doesn’t go on a claimant’s word or parent’s word either. You need evidence.

Referral pathways vary depending on the area/service. For some services, GPs absolutely can refer.

Honestly, it has cost us thousands (and thousands and thousands) to get the right diagnoses and support for our dc - anyone who thinks there is money in it is extremely naive.

No. Which is why I said in my post that it makes the claiming process run more smoothly because it supports what the parent reports. I didn't say or imply it replaces it. The applications most likely to be awarded describe care needs and include a diagnosis and medical interventions that are conversent with the type of care required. Awards are not typically made on the basis of the clainants say so.