I'm sure this subject has been discussed to death, for that I can only apologise.
For a couple of years now, doing a little research on my own, I think that I may have what a Work Psychologist I saw 01/2012 called a neuro diverse condition. I thought it might be Aspergers, it might be ADD possibly Dyspraxia. I'm by no means an expert nor a diagonistician. I could be completely wrong and, as i suspect my GP thinks (but doesn't say), lazy!
When I first saw the Work Psychologist (a dwp person, i don't know much about the specific role as I'd never heard of them before) I was on JSA. Since then I started on the Work Programme which I am still on. She claimed she could test for Aspergers but relented to saying she could do some kind of test to see if I might have ADD. I realise that makes no sense, but it involved answering a load of puzzles like remembering number sequences backwards and spotting patterns and stuff. From what I could understand she said it was highly likely. I have yet to get an official diagnosis as such facilities are not local to me and I find travelling around cities rather scary. There is now a chance the local CMHT might do one.
However the Work Programme treated me badly. They ignored the information regarding my mental health (even though no formal diagnosis) and refused to accept even the possibility of such problems - of any kind. I was told that without a support worker present they wouldn't countenance any such possibility. I made a complaint and have since changed advisers. Though the replacement is better they still admit they can't do anything. Basically the WP is rubbish. I was told that the main problem was because I was on JSA and that I should claim ESA.
To cut a long and predictable story short that's what I did, six months later I have, unsurprisingly, failed the WCA. I've sent the GL24 form back to lodge an appeal. I'm not sure how that will work but I'm told that doing so reinstates my benefit until such time as they decide whether to change their mind (I doubt it, let's be honest). In the meantime I have to persuade my GP I need help.
I suppose my point in posting is just to hear what other people think. I haven't found my GP to be terribly helpful or sympathetic and the system certainly isn't. ESA should be employment support, but it seems to work on the basis that, in order to get into the WRAG (my stated goal, i don't claim to be deserving of the support group) you need to also qualify for the support group. This doesn't make much sense to me. As a result I feel guilty as if I'm swinging the lead. But on the other hand, I just can't cope with the DWP. I find life difficult and I find dealing with society at times very hard. All the stuff you've heard before no doubt.
I can't say for certain I'm an aspie/add/whatever, so I could be wrong. But just trying to get support and be taken seriously is horrendous. It's enough to make you ill even if you aren't. If anyone has any advice I'd be grateful, thanks.
Most people would struggle if they had to work on a computer all day. Hence why companies (I worked for one as a Christmas temp) give you hourly breaks.
You don't have to be completely blind to score 15 points on the descriptors for eye sight. I'm not completely blind and scored 15 points that way. (my eye condiitons are fairly complex and can't be corrected with any aids)
Some companies might. Others will just think you are a lazy scrounger and cut you loose. This is the state we are in; it's an employers market and people with problems don't stand a chance.
I don't know what the fully list of descriptors for sight are. At the WCA the assessor didn't conduct any kind of optical test (and I know optical tests, I've had enough in my time). It was just 'read this sentence' off a laminated card and ok good you're sight is fine.
This is the problem with this ridiculous WCA; it's not representative of the reality of holding down a job. They just think that "you've turned up for the test, you're not peeing your pants and speaking in tongues, you can work full time no problem. Now get down to Poundland and do some workfare".
Most people would struggle if they had to work on a computer all day. Hence why companies (I worked for one as a Christmas temp) give you hourly breaks.
You don't have to be completely blind to score 15 points on the descriptors for eye sight. I'm not completely blind and scored 15 points that way. (my eye condiitons are fairly complex and can't be corrected with any aids)
Some companies might. Others will just think you are a lazy scrounger and cut you loose. This is the state we are in; it's an employers market and people with problems don't stand a chance.
I don't know what the fully list of descriptors for sight are. At the WCA the assessor didn't conduct any kind of optical test (and I know optical tests, I've had enough in my time). It was just 'read this sentence' off a laminated card and ok good you're sight is fine.
This is the problem with this ridiculous WCA; it's not representative of the reality of holding down a job. They just think that "you've turned up for the test, you're not peeing your pants and speaking in tongues, you can work full time no problem. Now get down to Poundland and do some workfare".
