Published on 12, July, 2020
DWP are going to be targetting those with Autism and Aspergers, among other hidden disabilities, to undergo Psychotherapeutic interventions. It is very likely that those refusing to participate will have their benefits sanctioned, as they will be considered to be not taking active steps towards seeking employment.
"The aim of the provision is to provide in depth support to assist claimants focus their minds on the activities and behaviours required to obtain and sustain employment. The claimants, who are in receipt of either Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA) will receive a highly personalised, individual, realistic, learning and employability programme, which is structured, focused and tailored to each claimant’s specific needs. This will include tackling complex barriers, as well as worklessness, motivation, interaction, anxiety concerns, and concentration issues."
https://www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/Common/View%20Notice.aspx?NoticeId=1702143
I myself have Aspergers and a First Class Honours Degree in Psychology. Despite my difficulties and concerted effort in seeking work, I only managed to secure my first job aged 32. It always came down to the fact that I was unable to do as well as others in interviews and compete against those without my difficulties. Making employers aware of Aspergers in aplication forms never helped. I only successfully secured a job when an employer was willing to offer unpaid work experience and judge me based on my work performance, rather than interview performance - I had infact just failed to get through an interview at the same employer.
I know the problem is not with people with the types of difficulties described. The problem is employers who are unwilling to see beyond these differences. I welcome any efforts to help people into work. However, I am appalled that this approach blames people for difficulties they never chose to have. Efforts should be directed at employers themselves.
It would be nice to see an official line on this issue from NAS at some point, but I accept this can only be done once all is known. Will try research this issue more later and update this post if necessary.
It saddens me greatly that NAS has ignored my request for the source of their figures on employment. This really is very important.
THe DWP has been quite harsh up to now assessing people on the spectrum and it has taken a number of attempts to get some easement or adjustment to the assessments. The process is still causing misery to many.
Why is the DWP acting like this? Well the NAS statistics show that autistic spectrum are more than three times less likely to get a job than the figures for disability in general. In 2012 DWP reckoned 46.3% of the working age disabled population were in work compared to 76.6% able bodied, and reckoned there had been a ten percent improvement from 2002.
Office of Disability Issues (cited by Scope) are similar: 49% versus 78%.
Whereas people on the autistic spectrum (according to NAS) is a static 15%
So how is the DWP likely to approach autism?
NAS has a moral duty to provide adequately sourced and authenticated data.