New attacks on I.B claimants

seven-day-weekend

Having an ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) does not automatically stop you working. ( It hasn't stopped Bill Gates).

Moving in less exalted circles, it aslo doesn't stop my son (who works in Matalan), nor his girlfriend who works almost full-time as a cleaner and claims DLA.

In fact many people om the spectrum are very consciencious workers as that is part of their condition. Obviously they have to go into a field that suits them, but there are all sorts to chose from.

Those of course on the low-functioning, non-verbal end of the spectrum will have problems and many will be incapable of any sort of work, but I believe that those on the Asperger's end are normally capable of doing something, often very high-level jobs.

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Having an ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) does not automatically stop you working. ( It hasn't stopped Bill Gates).

Moving in less exalted circles, it aslo doesn't stop my son (who works in Matalan), nor his girlfriend who works almost full-time as a cleaner and claims DLA.

In fact many people om the spectrum are very consciencious workers as that is part of their condition. Obviously they have to go into a field that suits them, but there are all sorts to chose from.

Those of course on the low-functioning, non-verbal end of the spectrum will have problems of course and many will be incapable of any sort of work,, but I believe that those on the Aspergers' end are normally capable of doing something, often very high-level jobs.

I did work until I got Cancer for the 2nd time.

I'm now suffering from depression/anxiety due to having my breasts cut off thats the reason i'm on IB & I don't feel ashamed as alot of people claim IB for depression/anxiety who haven't had cancer twice & have asperger's.

Prinzessilein

BLT wrote: »

50 years ago the only letters after your name were BA Hons, MSc etc, today there are more ASD, ADHD, etc etc than you can shake a stick at.

I have letters to go after my name, starting off with a BSc (Hons) and then going on to a variety of post-graduate and professional qualifications.

I also happen to have ASD. This condition quite simply ripped me apart.

I qualified as a teacher. I ran my own department. I payed my taxes. And then the little niggles I'd struggled against all my life suddenly exploded and I found myself totally unable to work.

I fought ASD with every fibre of my being. I didn't simply stop working. I went part-time, until I realised even that was beyond me. I took a number of other jobs each time working around my increasingly worsening condition. Finally I had to stop work completely. My GP and my specialist have both told me that I am not to even look for work at the moment.

My diagnosis is borderline High-Functioning Autism/Asperger's Syndrome.

ASD is a very real disorder. A diagnosis is not given lightly. My specialist saw me for months and ruled out everything else before confirming the diagnosis.

And some people with High-functioning ASD and/or Asperger's Syndrome are genuinely unable to do any work at all.

DX2

summerof0763 wrote: »

didn't think so mmmmm,very quiet

:doh: I couldn't play anymore as I went to bed.

DX2

Prinzessilein wrote: »

I have letters to go after my name, starting off with a BSc (Hons) and then going on to a variety of post-graduate and professional qualifications.

I also happen to have ASD. This condition quite simply ripped me apart.

Prinzessiliein can I assume that like BCS you also weren't diagnosed until much later on in life?

kaya

"Your father came from an earlier age, one where people believed they had a responsibility to support themselves and that the state didn't owe them a living."

as somebody who has paid to support the state for many years through forced taxation should we not be entitled to get something back when we are in need?
our FORCED taxes (it was rtecently qouted that on average 39% of our earnings go in taxes)pay for lazy good for nothing thieving and freeloading ministers to live a comfortable lifestyle without getting there hands dirty, our taxes pay for there private medical and healthcare, we pay for the education of there children, holidays, second homes, moats and duckhouses, manure ,holidays, cars, toilet rolls etc. etc. the list is endless, i get incap and dla, i am at the moment on the recieving end of the new plans to get everybody off of incap etc. and im pretty disgusted at the way i am being treated by the dwp, atos etc. i am very fortunate in that i am not on the breadline as my wife works full time and we have a little saved up but to think that they are allowed to treat taxpayers as 3rd class citizens is disgusting, my heart goes out to the thousands who will end up suicidal and living on the streets due to this disgusting treatment by people who live there lifestyles on our tax money!! many many people rely on and need incap and dla to get by on a daily basis, not everyone on benefits is a vicky pollard or grossly overweight-many thousands are genuinly disabled

on another note we have a report abuse button so why not a report troll button? its getting tedious that every thread is ruined by halfwitted bored morons , im sure there comments could be removed by a mod without ruining the thread

seven-day-weekend

Breast_Cancer_Survivor wrote: »

I did work until I got Cancer for the 2nd time.

I'm now suffering from depression/anxiety due to having my breasts cut off thats the reason i'm on IB & I don't feel ashamed as alot of people claim IB for depression/anxiety who haven't had cancer twice & have asperger's.

I was not referring to you personally, I was commenting in general, it must be awful to have had the illnesses you have had. xx

My husband claims IB for anxiety/depression.

Prinzessilein

DX2 wrote: »

Prinzessiliein can I assume that like BCS you also weren't diagnosed until much later on in life?

Short answer:...yes!....My ASD was officially diagnosed later in life yes...but that was the end of a life-long battle!


Longer answer:.....

From the time that I was born, mum knew that there was something 'different' about me.

This was almost 50 years ago (oh dear God am I that old!) and ASD wasn't known then....but that doesn't mean it wasn't around!

When I was about 11 I was diagnosed officially with severe Dyspraxia - which is part of my ASD. With the help of the world's most amazing mum I managed to stay in mainstream school and grew up with a determination to succeed despite my differences. (Back then schools had no requirement to adapt to Special Needs - and I was refused some lessons - the school allowed me to stay but cut all my PE, Games, and Practical Science ...ie Chemistry and Physics - I did Biology but no dissecting)

My first degree was done through the OU who were amazing. They worked with me and my GP to ensure that I could succeed. I think the OU were light years ahead of their time in adapting to Special Needs.

Although I had no official diagnosis until much later, a certain amount of my life was spent with GPs and various specialists trying to find out what was 'different' about me. I had a long list of symptoms but no one diagnosis that managed to fit all - or even most of them.

I was lucky to find employers who worked around my differences even though there was no diagnosis. It was obvious that I had certain problems. Thankfully, most of my bosses saw that I was an asset to their company and made allowances for my 'pecularities' (as they were often seen!)

All cases of ASD tend to be different - and as I have got older, my symptoms have got worse. I fought until the last possible minute before stopping work.

I would dearly love to work again. Even part time.

Indie_Kid

Prinzessilein wrote: »

the school allowed me to stay but cut all my PE, Games, and Practical Science ...ie Chemistry and Physics - I did Biology but no dissecting)

Wouldn't this just make things worse? I have co-ordination and balance difficulties and find the only way to improve is to just practise.

Prinzessilein

sh1305 wrote: »

Wouldn't this just make things worse? I have co-ordination and balance difficulties and find the only way to improve is to just practise.

Back then it was considered the only solution! You have to remember this was quite a few years ago and I was the only person in the school diagnosed with Dyspraxia. The school felt that I should just be kept away from any dangerous situation! We are talking something like 35 or 40 years ago.

Outside school I could do what I wanted....and in my determination to improve my balance I started learning ballet! ( and it's one of the the things I wish I could still manage!). Sadly, today my balance and coordination mean that even walking is difficult. Somedays I lack the coordination to even sit up - my muscles just can't cope. (This is even worse if I've taken my meds - it's one of the unfortunate side-effects).

I am a rather keen cook.....on days when I'm not medicated out of my skull, or my dyspraxia means I drop even a stupid teaspoon!
My kitchen is one of the areas that I have adapted for my needs. I have a fantastic electric tin-opener; a no-pour coffee maker; a one-handed chopper for onions; a special insert for a saucepan so I don't have to drain hot water - it's a kind of light mesh basket.....I am currently looking for a 'safe' knife. (Knives are banned on my 'bad' days!).....no amount of practice would help my coordination, I need my adaptions!

One of the jobs I used to have included helping young people stay in mainstream education. I used to work with schools to work on a plan to help the student take a full part in every lesson.

One of the hardest things for me recently has been accepting my inability to do things. I have always found a way round just about everything...It's also why I get a little touchy sometimes when people suggest I should be working! I want to work! I hate the fact that I can no longer support myself. I loved working! Even when I had a job that I pretty much hated - burger-flipping (by the time I'd cooked a dozen or so, the smell turned my stomach....and the customers could be really grouchy...and the pay was rubbish!) I loved the fact that I was working! Any job is better than no job!