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?

Because there is too much benefit fraud and the country can’t afford it. A relative receives £1800 per month UC, but works FT, cash in hand. And, for reasons best known to the state, he has now been awarded PIP as well. I know he receives these because I’ve seen the documentation. I also know he is fit and well, perfectly capable of and is indeed working, full time, and is knowingly and willingly taking the piss. He has been reported on numerous occasions (probably because he is so vocal about it) but nothing has happened.
Can he really be the only person in the country who is swinging the lead? I doubt it.

Would you have a problem with parents who pay a tutor to help their children achieve more favourable results from the education system, or aid them in increasing their chances in being able to attend grammar schools, etc, by working on past exam papers, and being prepped on what to expect in an exam? Why is that ok, but people accessing help to navigate complex forms to obtain help for debilitating conditions is not?

This is my experience. Actually it's a case of if they've heard of it they'll take it more seriously. I was told that I've grown out of it (which is physically impossible) and then she asked me what it was. How can you assess someone if you've not heard of it? She decided it wasn't that bad and I don't need the therapy I'd been referred for. I don't think I've ever had a consultant who has sent me to someone else just for a laugh

This is complete and utter rubbish.

I don’t want a label or benefits or adjustments at work but I would love to try some stimulant drugs to see if that does have a revolutionary effect on my chronic disorganisation. I’d like just to have a little trial and see if it helps but I am fully aware it doesn’t work like that.

Support isn't the issue it's the pisstaking.

I doubt it’s that easy to pull the wool over the eyes of an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist. Not saying it never ever happens but I highly doubt this is the norm. If my experience (with a consultant psychiatrist) is anything to go by, they gather information in many different ways - forms with open-ended questions, forms with closed questions such as exam grades and career, screener questionnaires and of course they talk to you at length - about 3 hours in my case. Anyone who is making things up is likely to contradict themselves eg they will give a (false) example of when their executive function was bad and then unwittingly give other examples of when it was fine.

Indeed - and because the FoI request the journos requested only got the number of PIP recipients who list ADHD amongst their symptoms - NOT that they were claiming because of it or more granular data as to what the ADHD is comorbid with.

My DD gets PIP and has ADHD. The ADHD has nothing to do with any of it - she has significant complex MH and SEN issues arising from a core diagnosis of autism. She doesn’t even receive PIP ‘for’ her autism - she receives it because it helps fund things that are scaffolding her into independent living - therapy not available on the NHS, ADHD medication/annual assessments [needed to obtain shared care], a cleaner/home help a few hours a week when she is at university etc.

I am hoping one day she may not need it, that with support PIP has paid for she may be able to become independent of us, but she is disabled by her autism and adjacent conditions. I too am AuDHD, as is my son. We neither of us need this support in any way, so it’s not ‘ADHD’ that she gets PIP for - though the journo doing this report will have included her stats in those numbers.

@FunStork I think the difference is that for ADHD there is medication that works whereas with autism there isn't. I know two boys who were very disruptive in school and were about to be expelled when their parents reluctantly decided to give them the medication the doctor had recommended. It changed everything; they were able to concentrate during the day and their behaviour changed. The older one is now at university.

Yes actually I have a problem with private schools, grammar schools and their associated exams and private tutors. I also hate and don’t participate in private medicine or private education. I am an equal opportunities hater of system gaming in all forms and in all places. Is that OK with you?

SEN schools are hugely oversubscribed, to the point that point have to go through multiple court cases and tribunals to justify having a place there rather than being sent to mainstream. What you are describing is literally not possible in the current system.

Good to know he improved as he got older, hopefully DS will too as we hopefully find strategies that help and school supports him more too. Firm consequences have done nothing, he needs different strategies. Checklists have helped to a certain extent.

They msy well do but they still need proof.

You see it a lot on Reddit and Facebook groups. They've just been diagnosed with something. Can they get money for it? But they work full time and generally have no difficulties and seem shocked they've been turned down. Meanwhile I know blind people who've had to go to tribunal

I kind of agree with this. DD has ADHD and people kind of just think it means she has a medical grade scatter brain. DS has ASD and people act like he’s been diagnosed with something bloody terminal. I think they will probably both lead relatively normal lives, and I’m glad that we can get them help/ teach them coping skills early but peoples reactions have been worlds apart.

Most medical reports contain results of investigations the doctor has done as well as what the person said.

reports on asthma have lung capacity measurements, peak flow etc.

hospital discharge notes have details of operations done, drugs given etc.

psychiatric reports or assessments contain the doctors impression of issues a person may have.

if the patient says to the doctor I think aliens are have bugged my house the doctor doesn’t write that down as truth they write down that the patient is having delusions and doesn’t know what is or is not real.

and so on.

It is okay with me, that people can get help to navigate the complex system that is PIP, yes. It is not a disabled person's fault that the Government is more obsessed with which words are used, and how things are written down. Saying all that, claims would get nowhere without actual medical evidence.

There's no such thing as 'quite quickly' when it comes to a SEND school place. Especially since the child needs an EHCP to attend one.

I presume you’ve reported her for benefit fraud then, family member or not.

You will not get a SEN school place just because you refuse school. My DS needs a SEN place because he has severe autism and has the cognitive ability of a much younger child. We have been fighting for a space for two years.
There is no way a child gets a space because they refuse school. Absolutely no way.
There is either more to his diagnosis than you know or he doesn't go to a SEN school.

Because ADHD doesn’t prevent you from working

A friend of a friend actually got diagnosed with ADHD after trying my friend’s ADHD medication and finding that she felt much calmer on it. It has the opposite effect on people who don’t have ADHD. Obviously they shouldn’t have done it, though.

The issue as I see it is there are many jobs that are masked AHDH up until now that people could perform to a relatively high standard but now those roles are being shrunk and the roles that people can do with debilitates don’t exist anymore
This is having an effect two fold first of all people are crumbling under the pressure of trying to do something that they just actually can’t. Their brain isn’t wired for. They are getting ill.
And the roles available to those skill sets are reducing yearly. None of this should be becoming as a surprise to a government that’s planned for a shrinking workforce in light of AI.

oh wait

It can do.

You don't get DLA or PIIP just for being diagnosed with any condition. You have to demonstrate how it affects your ability to lead a normal life and do everyday tasks. Of course some people lie and cheat to get it - but not just people with ADHD