to tell you of my experience with PIP and Autism

[needmorespace]

Following a recent thread, this isn't really an aibu but I would like many people to see it so posting here - don't really want to be flamed as bu
My autistic son had a lifetime award of DLA and I knew the day would eventually come when he would have to move over to PIP and I literally dreaded it - physical dread, anxiety/feeling sick etc as I was so sure he would lose this lifeline because of the horror stories in the press and even on mn.
That day came just before Xmas last year - I spent hours working on the claim form. I didn't have any recent evidence to provide as once my son left the education system, all ongoing support from CAMHS and Social Services fell away.
I was told that everyone has to have a face to face assessment and I tried to prepare my son for this eventuality.
Anyway, the medical assessor rang me - she was absolutely fabulous - and, after an lengthy telephone conversation, she told me that she would be recommending that no face to face would be necessary.
I today received a letter telling me that my son has been awarded PIP at the higher level for both areas for ten years. That is ten years of not dreading the envelope falling through my letterbox. Now, I know I will have to go through all of this again in ten years but I wanted to post today to give other people some hope.
I was so scared of applying based on all the horror stories in the press etc that I almost didn't bother to re-apply on his behalf. But I am so glad I did.
He is deserving of this support as are thousands of other people - it is part of the scaffolding that allows him to function day to day.

And I really hope that my experience will encourage others to apply even if they feel the process is arduous and to not be put off by all the negative press - I feel nothing but anger that people that genuinely need this support have to go through this process but there are medical assessors out there who are kind and receptive to the difficulties that those with Autism have.
I could actually cry with relief and I hope my experience will encourage others who are in need of support or supporting children to apply.

I would be completely aghast if someone diagnosed with SLD was not given full PIP. DH works with adults with complex and severe sld-guess what? (All won at tribunal, but still)

Well I would feel better but this is the exact same thread I read a few months ago. So I am starting to smell propaganda.

It's all relative though, as it depends who does your assessment. Which is why I see these posts as a bit "Braggy" really. For the record my sons have never been denied it for asd but I know people with other serious conditions that have been denied it.

@planetclom
Absolutely assure you it's all true.
Would also reiterate the point re filling in the form - I did it over three weeks and used lots of examples as had little 'hard' evidence as all support dropped away when my son left school.
I had wondered if we lucked out because of the recent ruling that has forced the dwp to reassess thousands of unsuccessful applications because not enough weighting or consideration was given to those with anxiety or depression etc with more weighting given to physical disabilities. Although I would argue that both do have physical effects on a person.
It's pretty deflating and shit to hear others have had claims refused. Outcomes so variable can only be because of quality/humanity of staff assessing.

I have ME. Not totally housebound but reliant on mobility scooter and significantly affected day to day. Although the forms have been a nightmare, so far I've been given reasonable and fair PIP and ESA decisions. I'm waiting for my most recent ESA decision after an assessment a couple of weeks ago but from the way it went I'm quite hopeful I'll be put in the support group again.

It's not a nice system, it doesn't always work well and those brown envelopes terrify me, but it can go smoothly sometimes.

I think it depends hugely on who reads it and on how you fill the form in. I used a guide that explained what they were looking for. I also think that people with autism who are verbal are at a disadvantage as they may present at an interview and can be misjudged as being more capable than they are. My ds is very profoundly anf classically autistic so there is less chance of this.

I have physical disabilities and had been on DLA for about 15 years when I was assessed for PIP two years ago. I sent in 50 pieces of medical evidence, my consultant and GP were contacted and I had a face to face. The assessor was lovely but she did lie on a few answers. I, very luckily, got awarded PIP at the same rate as my DLA had been.

At the end of January I was contacted for a review, because they review you a year before the end of your award, and filled in the very short form. I didn’t have a lot of evidence, they never contacted my GP or consultant, and I didn’t need a face to face, but yesterday I got a letter saying it’s been continued for another 6 years.

I don’t see these posts as bragging, I think it’s important to let people know that some of us have a good experience.

Bloody hell OhWhat that is appalling.

Thank you BlankTimes that's very helpful advice.

Congratulations needmorespace, that's not easy. Is he getting ESA as well?

I’ve made a petition about PIP and autism– will you sign it?

Click this link to sign the petition:
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/226406/sponsors/new?token=jefIevi3jyDnyuZ5yfPu

My petition:

Correct the balance in PIP assessments for people with autism and mental health.

In 2013 Mark Wood, died of starvation weighing 5st 8lb, He was autistic, had his benefits cut, he was unable to leave the house to access support. I am almost identically autistic, I didn't pass the PIP assessment, so I rely on my wife. PIP processes discriminates against autism and mental health.

The National Autistic Society's evidence to the Work & Pensions Committee explained that of 350,000 UK adults with autism, only 15% are in full-time employment. 60% of adults with autism rely on families for financial support, 40% live with their parents. 63% of adults with autism lack the support to meet their needs, this results in a third of adults with autism developing serious mental health problems. The 2017 High Court ruled that PIP showed "blatant discrimination" against mental health.

Click this link to sign the petition:
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/226406/sponsors/new?token=jefIevi3jyDnyuZ5yfPu

I wonder how many 16 year olds can travel alone to unfamiliar places? Or manage money?

Almost all of them with sufficient motivation.