ASD is the new ADHD

[Mick4Jue]

I have just joined (I am Grandma to 8 week old 1st grandchild)
I was the 1st person in England to be awarded DLA and Care Allowance for my son..who was 13 at the time...and he is still getting DLA now at 33 years old.!
It took 18 months of (embarrassing) honesty..insisting the DWP spend time at my home watching him..school reports..home diaries...doctors reports et al.
When his DLA came up for review last year it was 'rubber stamped' and awarded for a further three years because the DWP regard a diagnosis of ADHD as unquestionable.!

It seems to me that we are still lucky enough to be bringing up children with ADHD...and yes it is very challenging.
I have answers to lots of your questions about behaviour because of my experience and my regrets for not standing my ground and insisting he was nothing more than an individual.

It seems possible to me that the DWP have renamed ADHD to ASD(Autistic Spectrum Disorder) in order to test you to the limits to allow you to be awarded what is rightfully yours. Indeed..his award notice stated he had ASD...which I vehemently denied and insisted they got his diagnosis right and amended his records to show ADHD.

There is much to be discussed on this issue..and maybe I could offer some words of wisdom and some ways to deal with behaviour issues..not just with the child...but also those who will at times be responsible for him (i.e Schools)

Talk to me please.....

[StarlightMcKenzee]

Yes Alice You get a certificate sent to you from SBC!

[Jasonandyawegunorts]

I'm a doctor of theology, so i out rank all of you.

[Jasonandyawegunorts]

I also have a cycling proficiency test certificate.

[AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore]

Ah, cycling. Well, Jason you should be able to follow this thread well, as the OP keeps going round and round.

[Jasonandyawegunorts]

[Crusoe]

I know it's a crock of shite - that's why I want to hear it!

[Jasonandyawegunorts]

ah, in that case sorry.

You never know with these threads.

[StarlightMcKenzee]

There are some sound sentences in the OP's posts though:

'Mums are still being brushed off with kind words and not a hint of how to manage this mental health condition...or being made to feel inadequate.'

This is true, and applies to neurological conditions like ASD and ADHD as much as it does to mental health issues.

[mrssmith79]

I'm a mental health professional and fwiw I don't deal with ADHD or ASD. They aren't mental health conditions.

[AGnu]

If it helps soothe you OP, I'm not being "brushed off". My DS's ASD isn't something that most people pick up on - they just think he's a bit of a quirky toddler with a good memory. I've explained the behaviours we see at home to a few professionals HV, nursery, developmental psychologist & they've all taken it very seriously & we're starting the process to get an official diagnosis. Not one person who I've explained things to has doubted it.

Also, no-one's referred to it as a "mental health condition" but they have acknowledged that if he doesn't get the right support from early on then he may develop mental health conditions. They're right about that, I should know, I've lived it.

[blankblink]

The OP is a prime example of why people should wear hats when they go out in the sunshine on very hot days.

Thank-you Saskia for that, chortle.

I wonder if tinfoil hats would deflect the heat, or whether the obvious lack of headgear has fried the OP's brains so badly they can't tell the difference between neurological conditions and MH

Mick4Jue here's a tip for you. If you're going to breeze into a forum to beatifically bestow your knowledge and wisdom upon other people, firstly DON'T choose one where all the other posters know shedloads more about the subject than you do.

[AllThatGlistens]

You were a journalist? And write chunks of text like that?

Can't be assed wading through the points, although I do agree with what Starlight pointed out re people still being brushed off, that is both valid and true, sadly.

As to the rest, well clearly I am the only expert in the entire universe on my boys issues and obv no one can beat that experience, therefore I proclaim myself winner of the Internet.

[HarveySchlumpfenburger]

I think we're going to need a series of tests to sort all you experts out and find the true expert.

[minewouldbeyoug]

ADHD and ASPD are classified as mental disorders - that's why they're in the DSM.

I worked in Adult ADHD for a long time and knowing someone on DLA or PIP solely on the basis of adult ADHD was rare.

I'd estimate about three quarters of the people we were seeing were in work. Many of those in high - flying positions.

[minewouldbeyoug]

It's also considered a mental disorder in terms of life insurance and people diagnosed in adulthood have to inform the DVLA of the diagnosis if they drive.

Not saying I agree with this and was shocked myself when I found out while working in the field.

[Jasonandyawegunorts]

people diagnosed in adulthood have to inform the DVLA of the diagnosis if they drive.

I'm not sure that is right,i've never been told this.

[StarlightMcKenzee]

Nor life insurance either.

Is this in the UK?

The only place I see it referred to as a mental disorder is in the Services but am reliably told that though they discourage applications, if you apply anyway, and you fit the criteria in all other ways, you can still be accepted.

[HugAndRoll]

Wow, I hope your editor got really well paid when you were working.

But what do I know? I'm only 29; perhaps I should give my 7 year old with ASD to you, all knowing woman of brilliance.

[chaiselounger]

OP, it is my understanding that ASD is a neurological condition, rather than a Mental Health issue.

[minewouldbeyoug]

Yes. It's true. There is an increased risk of car accidents in ADHD (supported by research) and we had leaflets about informing the DVLA to give out after diagnosis.

I gave someone the wrong information when they asked me if it was considered a mental disorder for life insurance as I said no!. I was then informed it should be declared.

Of course people make their own minds up whether or not to inform life insurance or the DVLA but that was the advice we had to give.