Claiming PIP without supporting evidence

GSTAR

Hi all,

I have struggled with what I can only assume is a form of Autism / ASD, for my whole life. Specifically, I have trouble with my communication and social skills. I struggle to have conversations with people, or engage in group discussions, because I lack the social skills required to do so. This leaves me feeling lonely, depressed and worthless.

I have previously discussed this issue with my GP (over 15 years ago) and was asked to attend CBT sessions, which I did over a period of 3 months, but these did not help me.

I have also been told by my GP that "someone like me", who has obtained a degree in Computer Studies and is in a full-time job, cannot possibly have Autism. As such, I have come to accept that nobody is going to understand me and that I just have to learn to live with my condition.

However, I feel that I should nonetheless claim for PIP, since I believe that based on my symptoms I could be entitled to it. As it stands, I don't currently have a diagnosis for any condition and therefore, I don't have any supporting evidence to back up my claim. I was just wondering if that will go against me, and if so, how can I go about this?

HillStreetBlues

How many points do you score?

Spoonie_Turtle

GSTAR said:

Hi all,

I have struggled with what I can only assume is a form of Autism / ASD, for my whole life. Specifically, I have trouble with my communication and social skills. I struggle to have conversations with people, or engage in group discussions, because I lack the social skills required to do so. This leaves me feeling lonely, depressed and worthless.

I have previously discussed this issue with my GP (over 15 years ago) and was asked to attend CBT sessions, which I did over a period of 3 months, but these did not help me.

I have also been told by my GP that someone like me, who has obtained a degree in Computer Studies and is in a full-time job, cannot possibly have Autism. As such, I have come to accept that nobody is going to understand me and that I just have to learn to live with my condition.

However, I feel that I should at least claim for PIP, since I believe that based on my symptoms I should be entitled to it. As it stands, I don't currently have a diagnosis for any condition and therefore, I don't have any supporting evidence to back up my claim. I was just wondering if that will go against me, or how should I go about this?

With due respect to that GP, you need to see a better one (if that's possible for you).  There even used to be a term for that kind of strengths profile, 'high-functioning autism'.  Which people very readily acknowledged, being all too happy to use the term to dismiss people's support needs.

As to your question about claiming PIP, it's difficult to say.  If you were able to get a referral for assessment even that would help, as evidence that a medical professional has taken you seriously enough to refer you.

peteuk

Firstly your GP is incorrect, someone with ADHD can gain a degree and work full time, it just means they are either able to channel enough energy into working life (and probably pay for it out of work) or who have developed various coping mechanisms. 

It is also often believed that ADHA can be resolved with treatment but only be proven once off medication which makes it hard to assess treatment etc. 

I would suggest, on paper you would struggle to claim PIP, I say this because I dont want to get your hopes up.  PIP isn’t awarded on diagnosis alone, so I would look at the activities and be brutally honest about what you can and can not do. Look at the description of the activity and the descriptors.  

If you decide to claim then evidence isn’t essential, the fact you had CBT and it didn’t work can be discussed at assessment, along with any medication you've had and the effects.

marcia_

 What nonsense I'd change doctors if I was you. My better half has autism and has a masters and works as lecturer full-time for years. He also claims pip, although he did have evidence though not all was medical evidence we had letters from a family support worker and a family friend. 

Danien

I agree with Marcia. My husband had a breakdown when he was in his late 40's. Our GP was appalling - told my husband who was housebound apart from accompanied GP appointments and barely functional within the house, that if he didn't go back to work his employer would likely sack him. Exactly what you don't say to someone on the edge - and in fact his employer was brilliant, and provided a course of cbt for him with a therapist who came to the house as husband couldn't go out, and got him to the point he could return to work.

I pressed and insisted to the GP for a referral, on threat of complaint to the gmc over his actions and attitude (there was more I won't go into here, but he was truly awful). Husband was sent to local mental health team who were wonderful. He had a series of thorough assessments and was diagnosed with ASD. My husband is very intelligent and worked all his life, but like the OP had struggled all his life with social skills and communication and had been assessed as a child before there was awareness that autism was a spectrum, but if course there was no diagnosis when he was a child. 

The diagnosis opens up appropriate mental health support if it is available in your area, and yes, makes it easier to support a PIP claim - though as has been said, PIP is based on points scored in certain areas so you do need to score enough points to qualify, even with supportive evidence.

Your GP is ignorant on the subject of autism and should be ashamed of themselves. Get a referral to be assessed - press for it, take someone with you if you need to, or change GP if they refuse.