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Just some advice please.

Fantasy

Hey, 

I'm new on here and just wanting a chat and some advice on a few things. 

My step son is 17 years old. He's 18 in September. At the moment he only has a clinical diagnosis as they don't diagnose until he's 18 years old. We can get the ball rolling now to get a diagnosis once he's 18. Is there any benefits out there that he can apply for as he won't leave the house and get a job? He only goes out with us. We do have to be carefully when he goes out on his own as he can be a risk to himself. Child benefit is now stopping for him too so now we get less for him. He's going back to college in September but I don't no what to do if he's still not got a job once he leaves full time education. 

How do we support him.?

Thank you.

  • I think the way to support him is to allow him to follow his natural tendencies, so far as is possible, and not try to force him into anything.

    Why not take an interest in his interests because it is through his interests he feels he can cope and it might strengthen his self-esteem.

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Yes, that makes sense if the clinical diagnosis is a doctors opinion if it hasn't been produced as the result of a full diagnostic exercise. The doctor probably has no doubts but they haven't done the full range of tests.

    The link provided by Nellie (forum moderator) is a good place to start. The main benefit for adults in England is the PIP - Personal Independence Payment which is intended to cover additional costs (extra mobility costs for people unable to travel on public transport, any special aids or assistance) arising from his disability but he will also be entitled to ESA - Employment Support Allowance which is intended to cover everyday living costs (rent, food etc). You should probably talk to an adviser at Citizens advice who will direct you to the right places.

    Of course, he really needs help to get himself out of his hermit status and that should be a top priority. He will need professional help to deal with the anxieties that he has acquired from living without a good understanding of how to live successfully with autism.

  • Well I'm only going by what his specialist doctor is saying. In our area there are only 1-2 doctors that can do the assessments and diagnose and cos of that the waiting list is really long. So while we are waiting for an appointment the doctor he is seeing at the moment has said he has a clinical diagnosis for aspergers. Were just waiting for a proper diagnosis. 

    Hope that all makes sense what I said. There's a lot to take in. 

    Thank you.

  • I thought they were all clinical. Maybe i'm wrong?

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Fantasy said:

    At the moment he only has a clinical diagnosis as they don't diagnose until he's 18 years old.

    I don't understand this. What sort of diagnosis is not a clinical diagnosis? Could you describe what diagnosis he has and what you think he is waiting for?