New diagnosis, adult autism

Yes, I totally agree that this is an area that should be looked into.  With so many charities you would assume that there would be more awareness and as a result more help, but the only extends as far as under 18s usually.

I'm in South East Wales, people here are very lucky because the adult Autism service has a huge amount of funding and provides therapies that are beneficial to people like me, who have extreme social difficulties but not Autism, but they are only available for people with Autism.  Even with this level of support, many companies are still so behind in there treatment of Autistic and Neurodiverse people.  I think they must assume that people grow out of it before they get a job!

There are also many companies and organisations that consider ASD to be a plus point in hiring, such as the Civil Service.  It's about looking in the right place, but it's unfortunate that many of these jobs require higher qualifications.  So, don't even get me started on the lack of Autism support in schools.  It's like they want all disabled people to fail in life.

I haven't seen anyone mentioning it, but in regard to support there is always one problem - who is paying for that, so since funds are limited there is support for those who really need it first, and rarely any leftovers, which is understandable.

What would help many autistic that don't qualify for that is help with social issues, e.g. getting a job.

That could be solved at no cost if society became less ableist so recruiters wouldn't discard applications because it comes from an autistic and they don't want any weirdness on daily basis.

I never got a job after I sent an application for an existing job offer on a market, while meeting requirements. It happens I get invited for an interview, and that's where it ends. All the jobs I ever did were either minimum pay per hour agency jobs with no requirements, or when to my application was added a 'colleague referal'. It means from someone who knew me well enough to vouch for me, and there isn't many people like that.

I meant in regard to being 'entirely unable to fend for yourself'.  Many people on PIP would be able to mostly fend for themselves, a lot of it is about funds that can be used to improve one's living situation.  The money is there to promote independence, meaning that most claimants must have a level of independence to promote.  I don't think everyone on PIP would perish without a carer, because PIP allows people to take control of their own care and make their own decision on having a carer.

I wouldn't say support is 'fiction', there will always be services that are near impossible to access (social services are for me since moving health board), but there are always societies like this and many support groups.  I think with Autistic struggles being more social than medical, it can appear that there is less support than there actually is.

I agree. I thought that's what I said - you can get it when you need it for good reasons.

I have never applied for PIP myself. I don't need it, I can fend for myself without help. Though once I was close to becoming homeless, and odds were I would starve to death before that. But I made it.

In my case support is a fiction because I would need help with getting a job and that will never happen.

I get high rate PIP because of my disabilities and while I won't say this is true, PIP is something you should only expect to get if your disability severely impacts your life.  The issue I can see with disabilities like ASD, ADHD or any mental health condition is that you can argue: why do you need money?  For me it was about going private for diagnoses, medication, therapy, and various other social aspects.

I think people applying should ask themselves why they need the money and what they are going to spend it on.  Physical disabilities may require equipment and treatments not provided publicly, but many people with ASD may not need to make these big payments to cater to their disability on a regular basis.  

Hi

You're in the right places to learn about yourself, but support from outside is a fiction, to get PIP you must be entirely unable to fend for yourself. If you had a time when you did manage that you will get refusal

Hate to say it but they will likely push it to appeal in the hope you will just go away. Appeal though! Many of them win at that point.

From the referral to the diagnosis only took 8 weeks total, so I am still in shock really, but it also made a lot of sense too, like the last piece of a jigsaw 

That sounds very frustrating.  If you believe this is a benefit you need then you likely need it, appealing will be the way forward but you'll obviously need to change your application too.

Edit: hopefully what she did explain will be enough.

Thank you for the warm welcome, we have sent the mandatory reconsideration off today, so hopefully their decision will change, I will just worry until then

Hi, my support worked filled the pip form in, if I’m honest, she doesn’t know me yet, and in my opinion she didn’t explain my troubles in detail on paper

Congratulations on your diagnosis. I have certainly found this community helpful. Whatever your question, some friendly, supportive voice will be there, possibly with some ideas to help. So a warm welcome to you.

PIP - phew, I know of people who lie to the system who get it and yet so many honest ones with real need who don't. Those contractors are employed to find reasons not to give it to you. If it's any consolation though many people do get it on appeal. They are just hoping you don't have the energy to do that.

It's true that you may have to appeal to get a good result with PIP.  Could your support worker help with the application?  I know that is a service that social services and CMHT should provide.

Thanks for your reply Martin, if I’m honest I don’t really cope well with other people in general but find online a bit easier.I have been worried sick over the outcome for pip because I was cautious from the start, it was my support worker that suggested I do so, I knew this would happen, but it just makes me ill rethinking it 24/7

I have found that connecting with people who have similarities to me has been very helpful. The people here are inclined to be helpful and non-judgmental, which is pleasant. From what I have gathered, your PIP experience is quite standard and appealing the decision seems to be almost mandatory in order to receive any support.