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Entitlements/concessions..anything??

NAS36932

Need some clarity about conflicting information, hope you can help.

Some background first;  Diagnosed this year (confirmed what I knew/made sense of my entire life); so called 'high functioning'.. Have for 30 years somehow managed to hold down a job (health professional), a good marriage and two- now grown up- children. Diagnosis has at least given me 'permission' to be myself, so I don't have to wing it beyond my capabilities quite so much. Life has been, and is, harder/more exhausting and at times more distressing than people realise. Some adjustments agreed at work (protected time, quiet work space, acceptance that I might need recovery time and that I am not 'lazy'..but not allowed to reduce my workload. Review in 3-4 months with union and HR etc, go to process of finding me another role in the organisation if the workload has too much impact on my mental health.

I'm 'lucky' in the sense of a relatively secure and comfortable life (if I can keep going that is; often feel like I want to run away from it all), but confused;

1.  my manager asked if I had considered applying for benefits. I don't desperately need extra money, but certain aspects of PIP or suchlike might make life easier. I am well aware, through my work, of the near impossibility of a successful benefits claim and the ridiculous hoops people have to jump though. I could convincingly state a case for extreme psychological stress/distress in some situations (overstimulation/unfamiliarity/ being so distracted that I have nearly been run over numerous times in my life, in busy places), and my life would probably be a disaster if my wife didn't keep on top of finances etc (it all confuses me). Is it even worth bothering to apply when you are one of us who might appear to be 'managing alright' ?

2. Any other entitlements or concessions for anything at all? Bus pas or anything like that? A couple of professional colleagues who are more specialised in ASD, have mentioned that the diagnosis, and the NAS card (I had mine laminated), automatically entitles you to some things..travel was mentioned? I've also heard from others with the diagnosis, that diagnosis anD the NAS card 'isn't good enough' when seeking help or concessions, but the ASD assessor who diagnosed me, I'm sure she said it was a nationally recognised tool

For life in general, what if any leeway or consideration is there? I didn't expect my life to change overnight, but I'm finding that nothing really seems much different. I think I need to:

A: Know exactly what is available for 'higher functioning' (misleading term) ASD when society does not consider you to be 'severely disabled' 

B: Assert my needs more.   

Many thanks for any advice     

Parents

  • Hello, I'm in a somewhat similar position. I was diagnosed at 34, and although I'm technically unemployed, I'm paid a generous PhD stipend until 2020, and my girlfriend has a good income. I haven't even bothered to look into benefits because it doesn't seem worthwhile. 

    Can I ask what is the NAS card you mentioned, and how to get one? 

  • in reply to tintal

    The "Autism Alert" card available from the NAS, maybe? (link to NAS online shop - the picture is a bit old, as it doesn't show the new logo.)

    If so, then as something that anyone could purchase, it has no formal recognition; it's just a convenient way to highlight your needs should you otherwise have trouble communicating them. I have one for this reason, as I can sometimes lose the power of speech when I'm very overwhelmed.

    As far as bus passes etc. go, there's a bit of variation, as local authorities have some discretion over who they give them to. It seems that in most places, it's fairly automatic if you receive the higher-rate "mobility component" of PIP, or have certain specific disabilities, otherwise you have to prove a need for a discretionary one. Local to me, I don't automatically qualify, even though I get high-rate ESA and "daily living" PIP, because my "mobility component" is at the lower rate. I could try to make a case for a discretionary one, but I don't use the bus enough to be bothered with the hassle (a bus pass isn't going to make the buses any less noisy and full of scary people!)

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  • in reply to tintal

    The "Autism Alert" card available from the NAS, maybe? (link to NAS online shop - the picture is a bit old, as it doesn't show the new logo.)

    If so, then as something that anyone could purchase, it has no formal recognition; it's just a convenient way to highlight your needs should you otherwise have trouble communicating them. I have one for this reason, as I can sometimes lose the power of speech when I'm very overwhelmed.

    As far as bus passes etc. go, there's a bit of variation, as local authorities have some discretion over who they give them to. It seems that in most places, it's fairly automatic if you receive the higher-rate "mobility component" of PIP, or have certain specific disabilities, otherwise you have to prove a need for a discretionary one. Local to me, I don't automatically qualify, even though I get high-rate ESA and "daily living" PIP, because my "mobility component" is at the lower rate. I could try to make a case for a discretionary one, but I don't use the bus enough to be bothered with the hassle (a bus pass isn't going to make the buses any less noisy and full of scary people!)

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