Think we failed ESA medical

Own_My_Own

Hi,
Can't be sure but I have a feeling my son failed his ESA medical yesterday.
He has aspergers and answered 'I don't know' to a lot of the questions.

The lady doing the medical looked down her nose at us the whole time.

When my son said he could use the microwave but not the cooker, she asked ' Has nobody ever taught you how to use a cooker ?'
As his mother I felt this was a dig at me.

He does not use the cooker as he ignores the fire alarm and has no aspect of time. She did not seemed interested in this.

She also could not believe nobody had taught him how to use public transport. Another little dig at me ?

Again no aspect of time, so would not wait for a bus that was running late, and would not ask anyone for info.

This again seemed not to interest her.

I felt the whole way though the medical she was implying that we were lying about his condition.

After nearly every answer she said 'So let me see, you can't ....... have you ever sort any professional help with this ?'

We can now only wait and see but I am getting ready for the appeal !

princessdon

Doesn't sound like her attitude was good. Does he live with you?

Own_My_Own

princessdon wrote: »

Doesn't sound like her attitude was good. Does he live with you?

Yes. He could not live on his own.

Muttleythefrog

Yes.... sadly this is a common problem... attitude of HCP.. method of questionning... but perhaps most to worry about is accuracy of assessment. Regarding the last point I suggest you don't just wait and instead that you request a copy of the ESA85 ATOS HC medical report from the DWP (number at top of DWP ESA letters) perhaps this week. Although the report is not the DWP decision it quite likely will follow from it in the weeks to come. It's a document you'll ideally need if appealling anyway should the worst happen. I would try to forget the matter until that arrives... if it isn't favourable.. i.e. finds him fit for work then I'd be tempted to try to intervene before DWP take decision.. highlight the flaws and falsities of the report if they exist in a letter. Supporting medical evidence is also something to think about should the report be undesirable in conclusion.

If you're feeling brave possibly make a complaint to ATOS about the medical and the HCPs regulatory body (which you should be able to uncover from their name and profession given in the report).

whitewing

Our local college has some kind of skills for life course that covers using the washing machine etc.

Maybe if your son tried a course like this, the tutor would be able to observe and comment in an independent way that may support you in future assessments. (I have no experience of medicals).

Own_My_Own

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

Yes.... sadly this is a common problem... attitude of HCP.. method of questioning... but perhaps most to worry about is accuracy of assessment. Regarding the last point I suggest that you request a copy of the ESA85 ATOS HC medical report from the DWP (number at top of DWP ESA letters) perhaps this week. Although the report is not the DWP decision it quite likely will follow from it in the weeks to come. It's a document you'll ideally need if appealling anyway should the worst happen. I would try to forget the matter until that arrives... if it isn't favourable.. i.e. finds him fit for work then I'd be tempted to try to intervene before DWP take decision.. highlight the flaws and falsities of the report if they exist in a letter. Supporting medical evidence is also something to think about should the report be undesirable in conclusion.

How do we intervene before before DWP make decision ?

Muttleythefrog

Own_My_Own wrote: »

How do we intervene before before DWP make decision ?

Sometimes the DWP take quite a while to actually get around to taking their decision... even though in reality it is probably little more than administrating confirmation of agreement with the ATOS advice. But the DWP Decision Maker is duty bound to consider relevant evidence... if you are able to discredit a medical report before they can use it to reach a negative decision then there is some chance they may decide not to use it. It's not a commonly discussed tactic but clearly some people have used it to good effect. Of course the DWP may take the decision before you can achieve this... and then it would fall down to standard procedure of making an appeal or reconsideration request and arguing similar. But first things first.. getting a copy of that medical report... it should be supplied fairly swiftly on request.

Dunroamin

I think that most parents of children with Aspergers spend a great deal of time on teaching them life skills rather than giving up on it before they start. it doesn't sound to me as if she thinks you are lying but that she was trying to be helpful.

Own_My_Own

Dunroamin wrote: »

I think that most parents of children with Aspergers spend a great deal of time on teaching them life skills rather than giving up on it before they start. it doesn't sound to me as if she thinks you are lying but that she was trying to be helpful.

You where not there. The tone of her voice said more than words she spoke.

Muttleythefrog

Dunroamin wrote: »

I think that most parents of children with Aspergers spend a great deal of time on teaching them life skills rather than giving up on it before they start. it doesn't sound to me as if she thinks you are lying but that she was trying to be helpful.

I don't think she was trying to be helpful..lol.. she was probably trying to discover if the reason he couldn't learn/perform various tasks was because he'd not been taught how to do them or because he has cognitive failings... this would be vital to determining applicability of some descriptors.

princessdon

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

I don't think she was trying to be helpful..lol.. she was probably trying to discover if the reason he couldn't learn/perform various tasks was because he'd not been taught how to do them or because he has cognitive failings... this would be vital to determining applicability of some descriptors.

Surely there is a better way to test though. Op this isn't meant to be detrimental to your son with this analagy - I'm using it to show how bizzare a question it is.

My 5 year old can and does regularly use a cooker. He is a good cook (with supervision) and can use public transport - again obviously not alone. But he can plan a route, work out a timetable, take the correct money, use the machines etc.

It would be a weird world where a 5 year old was determined to have the mental capacity to work.

I can't see the logic of those questions at all.