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Higher Education, distance learning, ESA/PIPs and ASD

Whadafug

I'm new to the forum and am looking for some advice.

I was diagnosed with ASD in February of this year at the age of 25. I'm currently claiming ESA in the WRAG although this has been appealed by my psychologist and social worker on the grounds that I suffer from various daily living deficits and secondary health problems that preclude me going into employment at the current time. That being said, I'm not happy to just sit on my hands whilst I wait until April next year before getting any consistent support or care and wish to move on with my life, diagnosis in hand.

I'm considering the possibility of starting an OU course in Psychology part-time, with the possibility of moving to a full-time university in the future once the aforementioned daily living problems I have are at least partly manageable. The problem I have is... I don't know where to start or even if it's a realistic possibility... and I can't find any resources that work towards explaining the processes involved in a way that I can easily assimilate. What is available is either out of date or seemingly contradictory, and this adds to the stress of not knowing what the DWP will say to me pursuing such an endeavour.

Does anyone have any experiences similar to this? Does anyone know of any sensible and informative resources on the topic? I'm really after some advice, and possibly a nudge in the right direct, that I can either take to my social worker or try to pursue under my own steam.

Parents
  • Hi Whadafug My son started university with support funded by Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) he was on Incapacity Benefit and DLA (High care - low mobility) at the time. He moved onto ESA in support group whilst a student. Being in the support group does not preclude you from being a student. If you are interested in Open University - DSA is still available - although by Sept 2015 it maybe hard to get due to current proposals. You could contact the Disability Service at Open University and ask them questions about the course you are interested in and what disability support they maybe able to suggest could be arranged. Distance learning can be a bit isolating - many students cope in the uni environment with support. Obviously, that is a personal preference etc. but maybe not one to dismiss out offhand. DSA can help with additional costs of travel also (as long as disability related). The NAS do HE student support at some universities across the UK. R
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  • Hi Whadafug My son started university with support funded by Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) he was on Incapacity Benefit and DLA (High care - low mobility) at the time. He moved onto ESA in support group whilst a student. Being in the support group does not preclude you from being a student. If you are interested in Open University - DSA is still available - although by Sept 2015 it maybe hard to get due to current proposals. You could contact the Disability Service at Open University and ask them questions about the course you are interested in and what disability support they maybe able to suggest could be arranged. Distance learning can be a bit isolating - many students cope in the uni environment with support. Obviously, that is a personal preference etc. but maybe not one to dismiss out offhand. DSA can help with additional costs of travel also (as long as disability related). The NAS do HE student support at some universities across the UK. R
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