Advice needed DD 22 ASD

[Ladyrattles]

Our eldest had a DSA at uni for dyspraxia, an eating disorder & anxiety. DD unfortunately got overwhelmed at uni despite all the help and mentoring & dropped out in year 2. Just before she left uni the disability team helped DD get onto the NHS autism assessment waiting list through the GP. Fast forward 2.5 years and DD has been given an ASD diagnosis. DD is 22, lives at home and still has all the same issues. Anyone know if she can have some kind of benefits? Or does she need to go sign on? We didn't push for her to do anything whilst waiting for a diagnosis due to her mental health, the pandemic & losing my mum... but now DD has a formal diagnosis it's time to sort something out as we can't finance her forever. We also have at home 2 student teens with their own SN's. Anyone been in a similar situation?

Should add that we are happy for her to carry on living at home as we've just moved to a bigger house so all the kids have their own rooms

DD can claim PIP and UC, if she cannot manage the claims herself you can become her appointee.

As well as benefits she can ask for a social care assessment, and you a carers assessment.

Do your other DC get DLA/PIP? And have they had social care assessments?

@Imitatingdory

DD can claim PIP and UC, if she cannot manage the claims herself you can become her appointee.

As well as benefits she can ask for a social care assessment, and you a carers assessment.

Do your other DC get DLA/PIP? And have they had social care assessments?

Thanks for the info, I hadn't realised she could apply for both of those. No, we don't get help from anyone for any of the children as they just had school help for exams. DD did attend CAMHS & have a social worker as a teenager for the eating disorder & gender dysphoria but they signed her off at 18 & they didn't pick up on the ASD. It was a disability team mentor that picked it up later at uni. At uni DD wasn't eating, washing herself, socialising, etc. so didn't cope. but I'm not sure I could be classed as a carer at home as I'm just doing mum things for the kids like cooking etc, but I do have to make special individual meals & provide brands they'll eat

Do apply for PIP and UC for DD, DLA/PIP and potentially UC for younger DC and social care assessments for them all too.

I bet you do much more than you realise in comparison to other parents with similar aged NT DC.

Do any of them have EHCPs?

That's very helpful thanks. I suppose we've just muddled on thinking we weren't eligible for anything due to DH earnings. The eldest two couldn't get full university loans because of it.

DD 22 did have an EHCP from primary school for her diagnosed dyspraxia but they dropped it mid-secondary as they said she was coping well. We paid for an up to date private dyspraxia report for uni, and with the GP recommendation she got a full DSA & support. Now she has that ASD diagnosis too.

DD 19 is a bright student who masks well. We only recently recognised she has traits of ASD/ADHD. She doesn't want to be tested, which is a shame as I'm sure her university would organise it.

DS 18 was let down by his schools. In the end we paid for private dyslexia testing but they didn't do formal EHCPs. DS did have access to a reader & extra time in GCSEs but little else as they were useless. He just graduated from agricultural college & has been on a waiting list for 13 months for a formal ADHD diagnosis (but we've just moved areas and have been told he'll go to back of list). DS is unsure what to do now as he struggled academically, so we've suggested looking for a little PT job after Christmas whilst he decides what to do. I didn't really think about him applying for UC.

PIP is not means tested at all. UC is means tested, but based on DC’s earnings/savings, not yours. Although, it will probably be difficult to claim for DD2. Depending on income/capital DC/you may be asked to contribute to social care, but even if you are it’s worth having an assessment so DC are on their radar should they need additional support in future, especially if care is needed quickly.

I suggest you also look at applying for EHCPs for DS and DD1. Specialist colleges, supported internships and apprenticeships are all possible.