Hello all :)
I just joined this site tonight because I'm at the end of my tether and not sure of my son's rights (he is now 19).
He has autism and ADHD, diagnosed many years ago as a child after extensive tests.
During school he was taking Concerta XL medication - School insisted he coud not attend if he had not taken his medication, after various "events" including a fellow pupil hospitalised.
After a time at college my son is now receiving ESA.
However our doctor only gives him one month's note at a time...in between each he has to see her, whereupon she gives him "tasks". One of these was to wash up after the family instead of just himself.
He cannot fulful these tasks. We are forced to lie in order that she will sign his note for the next month.
Last month she asked him a question - I forget what it was - but he replied why would he want to do that, there was no reason he would do that. She questioned further and he shrugged his shoulders and asked her "Why would I do anything that has no self gain? That makes no sense"
A typical autustic response, I thought. Yet she said "So why are you here then? Just for the money?"
Well I am livid.
My four able children (another also autistic, but better now older) have worked ever since school, we are not a family of scroungers.
Every month my son has to see this Dr for his note, and every month she sets him tasks that he can not/will not do.
It's as if she feels she can cure him with her 5 minute a month sessions.
We don't know where we stand. We tried to see a different Dr last time but this other doctor had put it on the system that he must see her and so this different doctor was uncomfortable to see him.
Please can anyone clarify or offer any advice? Should we change surgery? IS my son a scrounger and not entitled to his ESA? Any input, please :(
Thank you :)
Tess