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PIP and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Rachel1
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North East Law Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne

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Hi there,

I have a couple of clients who are wanting to go through PIP appeals who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. Does anyone know of any good guides or organisations that can give a bit of support when talking about the descriptors in relation to their diagnosis? After discussing the descriptors at length with each client I am concerned that their difficulties and experiences do not quite fit into the criteria and am concerned I cannot support them, or manage their expectations. Or maybe I am missing something and they fit fine. However one client is not able to provide any further medical evidence or support which is concerning. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

shawn mach
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rightsnet.org.uk

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As a starter, and not exhaustive, there are 3 judgments we’ve tagged as of relevance over on pipinfo:

https://pipinfo.net/conditions/autism

Andyp5 Citizens Advice Bridport & District
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Citizens Advice Bridport & District

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Rachel1 - 20 April 2022 10:58 AM

Hi there,

I have a couple of clients who are wanting to go through PIP appeals who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. Does anyone know of any good guides or organisations that can give a bit of support when talking about the descriptors in relation to their diagnosis? After discussing the descriptors at length with each client I am concerned that their difficulties and experiences do not quite fit into the criteria and am concerned I cannot support them, or manage their expectations. Or maybe I am missing something and they fit fine. However one client is not able to provide any further medical evidence or support which is concerning. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

‘However one client is not able to provide any further medical evidence or support which is concerning’.

Worth considering if client is in receipt of UC or/and ESA has been found to have LCW / LCWRA a https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/personal-information-request / https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/740613/dwp-third-party-right-of-access-request.odt

May some very relevant stuff e.g. medical reports for PIP descriptors i.e. conflicting DWP evidence.

Mike Hughes
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Senior welfare rights officer - Salford City Council Welfare Rights Service

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I would not worry about medical evidence. I’d focus on simply relating issues to descriptors. It’s no different to any other condition really. It just needs the interviewing skills to not accept answers at face value and the persistence to get at the core of an issue.

Useful help can be hard to find but I’ve always found this helpful.

https://optimistminds.com/pip-for-autism/

Ditto this.

https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2018/03/29/pip-payments-autism-overcoming-challenges-application-process/

Helen Rogers
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Welfare rights officer - Stockport MBC

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In terms of medical evidence - could you get hold of a copy of the report from the assessment which led to the diagnosis of autism?

Va1der
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Welfare Rights Officer with SWAMP Glasgow

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Autism varies wildly, and it would be entirely possible for them to fall outside the scope of PIP. Not unusual for it to be accompanied by depression/anxiety, even if that hasn’t been diagnosed. Might be some points there.

Like Helen suggests, the assessment report would probably be useful. Unlike reports for many other conditions autism assessments can be quite in depth, and include looking at their childhoods, establishing impacts on DL/M and coping mechanisms etc. A SAR to their GP should reveal it.

Rachel1
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North East Law Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne

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Thank you all, this was super useful.