ESA!!!!! ATOS!!!!!

I dont even know where to begin. After years of being unsuccessful in employment - either being sacked or bullied, i have found myself applying for ESA.

The psychological damage that has been caused trying to be a part of society has left me on medication. I wake each morning shaking with fear, usually this is after a night of sleep walking and nightmares.

I relunctantly came to the realisation that i needed to be on ESA. The application form was intimidating and very stressful as i worded each issue i dealt with on a day to day basis. I felt i poured my darkest secrets of how life as an adult with aspergers really is and it hurt. But i needed to do this to survive.

Last week i recived a letter to say i needed to attend a medical assesment to see if i was capable for work. I attended this today.

As i had feared the whole meeting was very distressing, intrusive and completely inappropriate in regards to aspergers syndrome - or 'disease' as the healthcare advisor called it!!!

My reflexs were examined, i was asked to squat, lift my arms, bend my legs, what my hobbies were, did i use a mobile? did i go on the internet? did i play games? all baffling all invasive and all to tick boxes. 

I have avoided reading much about ATOS - the private company paid to assess us; 'lying theiving bastards' but from panoramas programme earlier this week, i feel that this is not an assesment to help those with aspergers. I am scared for the result and distraught at how this has left me feeling even more isolated and desperate than before.

Parents
  • Hi all,

    missribbons - sorry to hear about your experience during assessment. We have some information about claiming and applying for ESA here: www.autism.org.uk/.../employment-and-support-allowance.aspx. You can also arrange an appointment with our team by calling our Helpline if you'd like more info on ESA - 0808 800 4104 (Mon-Fri, 10-4pm) or you can send us an email with your information and we'll respond: welfarerights@nas.org.uk.

    hohner - details of our Board of Trustees, along with the appointment process, annual report and accounts are here: www.autism.org.uk/.../board-of-trustees.aspx. 

    Can I remind all members that the Community Rules state posts that are offensive or insulting to others are subject to being edited or removed. The same applies when referencing services or individuals as comments may be considered libelous. If you have concerns, we would encourage any complaints to be sent to community.manager@nas.org.uk where we can support you further.

    Best wishes,
    Mike, NAS 

Reply
  • Hi all,

    missribbons - sorry to hear about your experience during assessment. We have some information about claiming and applying for ESA here: www.autism.org.uk/.../employment-and-support-allowance.aspx. You can also arrange an appointment with our team by calling our Helpline if you'd like more info on ESA - 0808 800 4104 (Mon-Fri, 10-4pm) or you can send us an email with your information and we'll respond: welfarerights@nas.org.uk.

    hohner - details of our Board of Trustees, along with the appointment process, annual report and accounts are here: www.autism.org.uk/.../board-of-trustees.aspx. 

    Can I remind all members that the Community Rules state posts that are offensive or insulting to others are subject to being edited or removed. The same applies when referencing services or individuals as comments may be considered libelous. If you have concerns, we would encourage any complaints to be sent to community.manager@nas.org.uk where we can support you further.

    Best wishes,
    Mike, NAS 

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