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
  • Hello "Nobody",

    The place to contract would be some sort of advocacy service that deals with benefit applications. Do you have an autism organisation in your area? Or (given your apparent severe anxiety) a mental health organisation? Another option is Citizens' Advice. Not every organisation has a benefits service, but should at least be able to tell you where in your local area that you can approach for support.

    ESA is done on points. Just because someone has (or appears to have) one skill like using a phone, doesn't mean that trumps all other difficulties that would make work very difficult or impossible.

    All the best with getting some help.

Reply
  • Hello "Nobody",

    The place to contract would be some sort of advocacy service that deals with benefit applications. Do you have an autism organisation in your area? Or (given your apparent severe anxiety) a mental health organisation? Another option is Citizens' Advice. Not every organisation has a benefits service, but should at least be able to tell you where in your local area that you can approach for support.

    ESA is done on points. Just because someone has (or appears to have) one skill like using a phone, doesn't mean that trumps all other difficulties that would make work very difficult or impossible.

    All the best with getting some help.

Children
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