Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello, everyone. I am new to this community. I have been on the waiting list for an ASD assessment for a year and a half and it is finally set for Tuesday morning. Despite my mother insisting I am on the spectrum for a number of years, so far I have been in the mental health system and have a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. This appears to be fairly common in females. I like to be prepared for things like this and to know what I'm up against. However, I haven't seen two stories of an assessment that are the same! My experience in applying for PIP where I was accused of lying about literally everything and awarded 0 points has scared me. The assessment is to be held at my home and last for three hours. Supposedly it will be conducted by a consultant psychiatrist. Does this align with anyone else's experience? What happened? What should I expect? How will the meeting be structured? If anyone could give me any information or links at all about their assessment appointment, I would be most grateful. Thank you so much,
Hi there,
Interestingly - as a 50-something male - it was first thought that I had BPD, as I exhibited all the major symptoms. Mental health services were hopeless though, and eventually - with the support of a therapist, who first identified what she thought were ASC traits instead - I insisted on a direct referral to the county autism unit.
Firstly, I had a home visit from an assessor from a local autism trust (now, as it happens, my employer!), and he thought it was definitely worth pursuing. At the final diagnostic assessment, I was interviewed for about an hour. Then my mother was interviewed separately, and was asked about my childhood and how I managed with my developmental milestones. Her interview took about 30 minutes. The final diagnosis came through a few weeks later.
Interestingly, too... since my diagnosis, my mental health problems have improved. No longer am I anxious and depressed 'for no apparent reason'. My panic attacks can now be explained, as can my frequent (though becoming much less frequent) feelings of emptiness.
I've never applied for a PIP, but I've been on ESA a couple of times. Each time, I've scored '0' on work capability assessments, and been bumped back onto JSA. The first time, I took it to tribunal and won. The second time, I gave up. The system is designed to fail people - especially, I think, those with mental health disorders. The system itself is deeply sick. The presumption is always 'well until proven sick.'
Good luck with it all. Just be yourself.
Tom
Is it easier to get one of them - PIP or ESA?
Or it is equally difficult for both of them?
Well, they're different beasts. ESA is for people who can't work because of ill-health. It's often temporary, but can be long-term. People, if they've been working, usually go into the work-related activity group - where they have to, as it says on the tin, do 'work-related activity'. The difference is that they're allowed to look for work that is best suited to them and their condition, which can include part-time work. If you're on JSA, you have to look for any suitable job, and it needs to be full-time. There's also a support group, for people who don't have to look for work. But they still get periodic reassessments. PIPs, as I understand it, are more for people who have long-term health problems and need more help and support to live.
This is the best place to go for advice and information...
Benefits and Work