Why are ADHD benefits in the firing line?

[FunStork]

I've been seeing this a lot recently.

Feels like the media is very much against ADHD benefits claims.

Why is that the one that seems to be getting all the focus?

Another one from BBC Verify tonight:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c24ym9yd8p6o

Is this an orchestrated campaign?

Then you means test DLA, AA and the Scottish equivalent. It makes no sense that a 70 year old on AA isn't subject to means testing but the 70 year old on pip is

I meant that parents who recognise their DC behave 'differently' and are concerned do tend to assume adhd/autism because that's the big umbrella these issues come under. So they self diagnose DC under this realm and then seek medical help.

ND does indeed stem from physical trauma but unless it's known what this is, the behaviour which ensues is initially seen as MH.

How do you means test DLA? It is a benefit awarded to disabled children, so they have no income to means test.

The family income, I imagine.

Um you’re talking nonsense.

“ND does indeed stem from physical trauma but unless it's known what this is, the behaviour which ensues is initially seen as MH.”

It does not stem from physical trauma and isn’t initially seen as MH.

No parents don’t diagnose and then seek medical help because there is no medical help. There is no cure.

Absolutely

Haha its called playing the.system

It's called not knowing the system if you think a child can just easily walk into a SEND school.

Does the child have an EHCP?

Threads like this really annoy me. ADHD is an illness, I dont dispute that but the amount of adults now being diagnosed, as an excuse so to speak. There are genuine cases, theres also a lot of fake ones using Dr Google to get through the assessments as its easy disability money.

Ive known for 15yrs my brother was either PTSD or ADHD and only got a diagnosis last year. He sounded so relieved when he called me, I laughed (not in a bad way) and said, ive been telling you this for years! Now hes medicated, he is less volatile, actually sleeps.

Nowadays or.past 15yrs anyway, naughty child with no boundaries = adhd.

Most people forget that autism and its spectrum is genetic.....

Yes.......

Is that exaggerating though or down right lying?

Look without telling.you the child's name and school i can categorically tell you, the system has been played. He gets to play football for the most part and can time out in the safe space/library when "he cant be bothered". Ive known this child since he was 2.....hes now nearly 16

Yup you know more than me..... I haven't watched this unfold in the 13yrs ive known the.child.............

Also difficult to get.

Not much time left on DLA then.

I'm perplexed. You said ND isn't MH and I agreed it does stem from physical trauma, not exclusively.

ND is such a huge topic and I'm not talking nonsense. Physical trauma in the womb, at birth are indeed relevant to the onset of ND issues.

I'm not willing to go into personal details here but please believe me it's very, very true.

Well yes. Ironically very often in mental health care jobs that is a frequent risk.

I so massively agree with you about the NT/ND binary narrative needing to be challenged. It’s such obvious bullshit. Behavioural traits are on a spectrum just like blood pressure readings (but less accurately observed or replicable) and where we put the threshold directly affects the number of diagnoses. I have heard some people trying to claim that ASD or ADHD are ‘like being pregnant’ ie not on a continuum with a non pregnant state. This is just so clearly untrue that I can’t believe so many people just nod along with this.

It is not.

Autism and ADHD are not caused by physical or psychological trauma. They are lifelong neurodevelopmental conditions primarily driven by genetics and early brain development.

Well you clearly don’t know the child as places in special schools are highly sought after, in very short supply and the process to allocate places is robust and ensures only those with the most need get places. As such many needy children miss out as there simply aren’t enough places to go round.

Research shows much higher levels of ADHD amongst adopted children. Early brain development is affected by attachment disorders, plus the likelihood of genetic inheritance.

People with ADHD often self medicate and have risky behaviours. High numbers within the prison system have ADHD.ADHD is highly hereditary. Children whose biological parents have ADHD are both more likely to have the condition and more likely to experience placement in the adoption or foster system.

Hence the need for early diagnosis and support as outlined in the NHS ADHD Taskforce.

My lovely DD is diagnosed autistic. She also has mental health problems and is under the care of CAHMS. Parenting her has been hard, particularly during her teens. So many people told me to apply for DLA but she is getting free medical care, free schooling and my view is that any other costs should fall on me as her parent. I do have a well paid job (fortunately) so I would never apply for extra money from the state. She would have been eligible but it still felt wrong. As she approaches 18, I worry about her future. Routine tasks are often challenging for her, but I am doing everything I can to try to help her work towards finding a career that will suit her at some point down the line. I understand it can be harder to hold down a job with ASD or ADHD but being in the right kind of job is probably key to giving yourself the best chance. If she has to claim benefits in the future, so be it, but I am trying to inspire her and give her hope of being self sufficient and independent at the moment. That is the end goal. I don’t want her to think she can’t achieve anything once her mental health is improved, even with her ASD diagnosis.

My dd has a similar profile. She has PIP and UC because it’s much needed. She is also very independent and does not want to be on UC for ever. They are needed now but are helping her get well and the qualifications she needs to build a career that suits her.I think telling such young adults they can achieve anything isn’t necessarily helpful however helping them learn how to manage their conditions without crisis and build a life suitable for their well being is. It needs to be lead and managed by them.

I'd consider FASD - massively underdiagnosed and overlooked on population level - before ADHD. Up to 70% of adopted children are estimated to be exposed to alcohol prenatally.