Disability allowence for 57 yr old with aspergers / autism ??

Zziggi

Out of curiosity, how did you friend go about getting diagnosed as an adult? How did she know she needed testing for this?

I know of an adult who suspects they have autistic type traits but was told that they don't normally test adults. Round here they will test children readily.

Savvy_Sue

Link for National Autistic Society (which I don't think has been given above)

xxdeebeexx

Zziggi wrote: »

Out of curiosity, how did you friend go about getting diagnosed as an adult? How did she know she needed testing for this?

I know of an adult who suspects they have autistic type traits but was told that they don't normally test adults. Round here they will test children readily.

I seem to think that her GP referred her to a place in Leicestershire. She doesn't live anywhere near that county, so must be a specialist unit. I filled in the background information forms for her and, most questions were about developmental stages.... so geared towards children.

She has always known she was 'different' from other people and set about trying to find out what it could be. I guess the internet has made this sort of info readily available.

Having been tested lots of things are now making sense to her. She has had a miserable life and is only just managing to cope. She is highly educated, very competent at what she does but cannot survive in the work environment.

She is now out of work again, and the benefits are not even covering the rent. I worry about her and hope that there is some other kind of financial support that she is entitled to.

Unless you know what you're entitled to, you can't ask for it .

I will take a look at the sites that have been suggested and see what's on offer.

Thanks everyone

Dx

Swan_2

Zziggi wrote: »

Out of curiosity, how did you friend go about getting diagnosed as an adult? How did she know she needed testing for this?

I know of an adult who suspects they have autistic type traits but was told that they don't normally test adults. Round here they will test children readily.

hope you don't mind me butting in
my son aged 21 is currently waiting for assessment arranged via our GP

he was originally diagnosed with Dyspraxia as a child, but for years we've struggled with his behaviour problems, obsessions & other idiosyncrasies, which that diagnosis didn't seem to explain

having done some research & been advised by professionals dealing with him, we are now convinced he has Aspergers Syndrome, but need a formal diagnosis before we can access support for him so he can, for instance, attend mainstream college

perhaps you or your friend could ask someone else about assessment? we were originally advised to ask for assessment from entirely the wrong agency & if we'd left it there would be no further forward
it was a local charity who help isolated people in our area who suggested we approach our GP

cathij0269

It's good your friend has you to help her with matters like this.
It took 4 years to have my son (now 11) diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome and ADD, there were so many hoops for him to jump through and for someone with an ASD it can be very upsetting. My Brother shows all the same symptoms as my son but when he was taken to the doctor with concerns as a child mum was told he was a "delicate" child. It's only really in the last 10 years ASD's have been taken more seriously. All of the organisations recommeded are helpful, you may also find there is an Autism group in your local area (contact your council). Special cards are available too for people with ASDs. These are cards which can be produced by people with ASDs in hospitals, to Police and to any authority figure if the need ever arises, so that they can adapt their mannerisms towards you and ensure you are kept fully informed, forewarned of any procedures, not touched without warning etc i.e. in situations which could trigger an "episode" if not handled properly. My son is entitled to middle rate care and lower rate mobility DLA, which as his care at the moment is free (i.e. me!) and I take him everywhere he needs to go, is being put in a high interest account for him so that if he ever needs it in the future it is there to help him - things like adapted accomodation, educational help at college or university, carers etc. As he gets frightened in crowds and doesn't see danger very well he will also need things like taxi's when he is older, so this money will be useful to him (if he had it now he would blow the lot in the Doctor Who shop!)

Can I also point out that now she has a diagnosis, it would be against the law to fire her because of her "disability" under the disability at work act. She may often seem rude or abrupt which means she probably isn't suited to working with the public, however as long as her fellow employees know about her ASD and have an understanding of it they wil begin to accept her the way she is. Ask her diagnosing doctor to give you a print out of any symptoms and helpful advice to employers to make the most of a rewarding career. People with Aspergers Syndrome often make very good employees as they are often very trustworthy, like to follow rules and if they are engaged in an activity they will focus completely on that task.(I don't want to generalise as I know all ASDs are different but I think these are quite common symptoms) Employers need to know that things like a visual timetable and set structure/routine would help i.e. lunch at the same time every day, regular work hours, written instructions etc. If she is loosing jobs because of her condition, then it means her condition is stopping her from working - exactly the same way a bad back stops you from working which would entitle her to benefits, she should speak to her local job centre to see if there are any schemes available to help her find the perfect job and in the mean time what benefits available for her.
Good luck

cathij0269

Swan wrote: »

hope you don't mind me butting in
my son aged 21 is currently waiting for assessment arranged via our GP

he was originally diagnosed with Dyspraxia as a child, but for years we've struggled with his behaviour problems, obsessions & other idiosyncrasies, which that diagnosis didn't seem to explain

having done some research & been advised by professionals dealing with him, we are now convinced he has Aspergers Syndrome, but need a formal diagnosis before we can access support for him so he can, for instance, attend mainstream college

perhaps you or your friend could ask someone else about assessment? we were originally advised to ask for assessment from entirely the wrong agency & if we'd left it there would be no further forward
it was a local charity who help isolated people in our area who suggested we approach our GP

SNAP is an organisation which helps young people (under 25) and parents through diagnosis and form filling. I know this doesn't apply for the original author of this post but I thought i'd mention it in case anyone out there needs some help. SNAP Cymru (wales' version) was wonderful when I was trying to get me son diagnosed.