Hi

I have a eighteen year old client who has ADHD, he is able to communicate to a certain extent and I don't think he would be aggressive in a tribunal environment (although it may make him a bit anxious). However, his mother is his appointee. Should the mother attend the tribunal alone or should both attend?

Thanks

What sort of tribunal is it?
If it's a general social security appeal (eg, income support) I would say the mother alone.
If it is about DLA or ESA, in my experience the Tribunal will find it beneficial to meet the claimant himself, certainly once legally adult. This will allow them to make their own conclusions about his disability as well as take evidence form both him and his mother.
I'm a bit surprised that ADHD alone would interfere with communication: in my experience (again) communication difficulties tend to indicate a disorder somewhere on the autistic spectrum (unless there is a generalised learning disability as well). I know there is a lot of overlap in diagnoses but I have seen a lot of kids described as having ADHD who were almost certainly autistic - I had a lot of contact with a consultant paediatrician over the years and she was very clear about several of these cases.

Thanks for your help

It is a Disability Living Allowance appeal. My client only has very mild communication problems. His main difficulties are his poor memory and impulsiveness.