Dla to Pip - managing therapies

Hi Ruth

Welcome to the forum.

You might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is; www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/faq/forum.

I would include any reports carried out by health professionals, in fact I would ask the HP's to write supporting document as to what support they give and why, the why part is usually the important part.

Gary

Hi Ruth,
As an appointee you should have tge right to speak on your son's behalf, however, there are several reports on this forum that insist the actual claimant has to talk. I suggest you just see how it goes. If your son won't talk then talk for him. I woukd suggest that you make a covert recording. (Thus until illegal and recent posts suggests that official recordings sometimes don't work/aren't made etc etc.I think you can be proactive, especially if the assessment is via phone. If the assessor says ' son must answer' then say eg 'I'm here with my son, he is curled into a ball and not saying anything.' If you are at an assessment centre, and eg the same thing is happening again make a similar comment. 'As you can see my son us really struggling, he can't cooe with talking with strangers and he often either goes to his room, or as here curls in a ball. It's his coping mechanism.' If the assessor continues to press your son to answer and it is clear from your son's demeanour that he can't/won't answer then repeat that son is in no position to answer, and that you are appointee etc.
Don't let the assessor brow beat either of you.
(And that is why it is important to ensure there is a record of what's going on, hopefully not needed, and it is entirely possible you get a knowledgeable assessor who treats you both with proper respect. However if this isn't the case then the recording can then evidence the assessor trying to 'bully' answers out of your son.)
If your son does choose to answer any questions, as you may be aware, people with autism often simply agree or will say what they believe the questioner wants to know. Be prepared to step in and correct anything that isn't right. Again corrections may well be ignored by an assessor, but any recording will then be clear that you did make corrections, if this becomes relevant at a later date
Apologies if I have painted a rather negative scenario. However my own experience and that of other forum members suggest that assessments are sometimes conducted in a very poor manner. If you are prepared for the worse then this will help you going forward. Alternatively you will go into the assessment fearing the worse and will be pleasantly surprised if all goes well!
I hope this helps.
Good luck.
LL26