To ask if you know anyone who has been diagnosed as an adult with autism

[Brocklady]

I am wondering if anyone can help and am using this board mainly for traffic (sorry)

My brother self referred himself (at my request, really) to an autism assessment team.

We seem to be waiting now for a formal assessment.

The difficulty is, and not wishing to sound too cynical, money. Without a diagnosis I am guessing we can't claim DLA or PIP for him.

Is there a way round this, that anybody knows?

Thank you.

brillo you did come across a bit badly at first! thanks for explaining. You have to read the questions in a different way when you're thinking about mental v physical disabilities.

For example toileting: can you physically get to the toilet v do you need someone to remind you to go (might be an issue for someone with sensory problems, chronic constipation associated with ASD, hyperfocus meaning they are unaware of need to go)?
Washing: can you physically wash yourself v do you need someone to tell you when you need to wash, do you need support while you wash because of sensory issues?
Clothing: can you physically dress yourself v do you need help choosing appropriate clothing- maybe you want to wear the same t shirt and no coat regardless of whether it's sunny or chucking it down with rain, or maybe you need reminding not to take your clothes off immediately if they get wet?

Me. Aspergers.

I've been refused DLA and PIP even with the diagnosis (as a PP said, it's based on care needs), which cost my university £300 so I could get DSA (student finance). If he really can't work and is not a student, he needs to get a doctor's note saying he can't work and apply for ESA which is through Jobcentre and generally the same amount he'd get on JSA but with less strtess.

Dd has the clothing issues!

Anyway, one of the reasons I asked is because I am having a hard time seeking assessment for dd, and I worry that people will think I want it so I can claim for her because I know how it works.
Except I don't know how it works, even after five years!

*stress

Must add: PIP can be claimed on top of ESA, but it's harder to argue for with mental disability. Housing Benefit can also be claimed alongside ESA.

I had a PIP assessment a month ago. They're really strict. Deemed me to be able to do things I definitely can't on most days. I'm another that can talk my way into a job but not keep it, and same with uni. I suspect the PIP appointment was a trap in itself as I very almost couldn't coordinate myself attend without a support worker but as the person was not available I had to bumble through on threat of not ever getting another appointment! I make myself sound quite together, but most of it is wishful thinking.

Best of luck to you and your DB! Ask about ESA - it's absolutely brilliant and he will very rarely be required to attend appointments because the understanding is that's part of being unable to work.

It's not just clothing issues though brillo

It's personal hygiene
I can physically bath myself can I do it consistently without being reminded no, I can't clean my teeth toothpaste burns so I need someone to help.

I can cook physically, I need some one to watch what I'm buying, accomany to the supermarket as I may get overwhelmed by the lights and people, then I need a text to remind me it's dinner time as I'm not always aware I'm hungry.

I think your prehaps not seeing the issues your daughter might have because atm you care for her, I know my issues didn't really show until I was at university because my mum had already supported me doing them because she's my mum and that's what mums do!

Yes, you're right.
sorry, I'll hush up now as I really didn't mean to offend anyone.

this is a bit irrelevant to the more immediate needs of people on this thread - but just to answer a couple of comments upthread, yes, it is possible to get an adult diagnosis of moderate ASD (and also ADHD), without really having the need to claim.

I have had a bumpy ride through high-level academic employment while battling severe depression and sensory issues, and eventually being diagnosed with ASD (2009) and ADHD (2015). I'm 39 and have only given up on trying to keep up with high-pressure academia this year after 20 years of driving my mental health into the ground - now I have a low-pressure part-time job, ritalin, and increasingly, some vaguely functional level of sanity and wellbeing.

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