Occupational therapy/functional assessment for young adult

[Plumbuddle]

My son has ASD and just left uni. Is not easy to find work atm I know but I am also aware he simply does not understand how to apply or why he should do so urgently. He's had PIP since high school due to his inability to travel safely and socialise properly/cook/care for himself etc and it's just now been cut off as they say if he got a uni degree then he's able to be independent. Of course I'm challenging this as the issue they never spot with ASD is the need for constant prompting, mentoring and supervision. I thought that to boost our own reports of his needs it would be useful to get an adult OT to do a report on him but I want someone who specialises in ASD so they know what to ask about/consider in their report. Has anyone else had an adult OT report done for this or any other support purpose? If so, who would you recommend (preferably in London)? Thanks all.

If you go on the Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT) website there is a section to find independent OT’s and you will be able to see what they specialise in and where they are located.

Might be worth also getting in touch with independent children OT services as they tend work with those up to the age of 18 and Will be quite experienced with ASD and may at least be able to sign post you to someone who can help.

Those are great ideas, thanks so much!

Hope you can find someone to help and manage to challenge the PIP decision successfully.

Yes, I’ve looked up the rcot links now but the autism help is mainly for kids and then when it gets to adult clients the ots are offering assistance regarding mental health issues, dementia, stroke and physical assessments. If anyone has used an adult psych or or for a functioning assessment specifically for asd I would be so grateful to hear.

Just to help anyone else who navigates to this thread, I've phoned the NAS helpline who say that on their website there is a directory of relevant specialists with this type of expertise. So before I go off and research that, I thought I'd pass it back to mumsnetters too.

Again just to help anyone, I eventually used the services of Kate Meades Associates. They are absolutely wonderful. Did an incredible report on my son, which I got after I'd successfully challenged the PIP assessment myself, but the DWP will keep coming back every few months I know so I now have a cast iron case. It was so thorough. And they are now counselling and supporting my son. Absolutely worth it. Highly recommend.

Hi, I hope you’ve been able to sort this. If not, I’m a paediatric OT and I’ve completed functional needs assessments for teens/young adults to support PIP/DWP applications. I’d be happy to talk it through with you if you’re still looking for advice on the process.