AIBU to wonder if some pursue diagnoses hoping for benefits?

[WittyFawn]

To feel like a lot of parents are seeking diagnosis of mental health ie; ADHD, bipolar etc for their children or even themselves with the hope of getting benefits for it? Am a mother and grandmother and just an observation from reading and hearing things. Just interested to know what other people think?

Op here: I did on replies to several people. I never meant to goad or cause offence to anyone at all: I was genuinely curious as like most people see benefits being discussed all the time in the news and online and an of an age where this isn’t on my radar so it was a genuine question and I am so upset I have caused any offence or hurt to anyone, least of all parents having a difficult time with their children

Diagnosis is irrelevant as it is about care needs. A child without a diagnosis may get HRC and HRM and a child with a diagnosis may get LRC and no mobility or even nothing at all.

It's a common misconception and the media etc really doesn't help with this. It is far from as simple as diagnosis + mum says child struggles = money. Far from it.

The DLA form is pages and pages long, complicated and completely overwhelming to fill out. Medical evidence is required and must back up what is said on the forms or the application will be rejected.

Glasses are a cost incurred every so often. Surely anyone can see that it would be much more efficient if the nhs supplied those glasses as and when needed rather than give the myopic person a monthly cash amount to spend on goodness knows what.

“Mental health”

This doesn’t mean what you think it means. 🙄

I think that if a child has care needs, it certainly makes the DLA claiming process run more smoothly if there is a diagnosis and evidence of medical intervention to support the parents reports. So I would advise anyone who was providing care for an undiagnosed child to seek a diagnosis. Not sure if that's what you're driving at? But if so, I agree.

Of course a diagnosis will help
But in the case of autism for example its a huge spectrum and just saying a child has a diagnosis of autism gives no indication whatsoever of their care needs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

I think some, but not all, exaggerate.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

🙄 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.

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.

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

Edit: Nobody ever can.