Attending PIP assessment alone as an autistic person

Hi skelter18,
I genuinely don't know if you will be able to convince an assessor. Some understand the features of autism, some don't.
I think you need to show consistency. If you have said within your form that eg you can not interact with others without support it is going to look odd if you attend alone. But why not have someone with you? (Unless there is no one that you trust and do not feel you can explain all of your shortcomings in front of a friend or relative.)
Firstly is it such a problem? If you have stated on the form you can't communicate properly then if you sit there unable to talk and clearly upset this will reinforce the real problems that you have and this is very important.
Applying For PIP is a very negative experience, and it does mean that you need to confront and talk about all the things you can't do. I suspect that throughout life you will have been praised for the things you can do. Most disabled people have no option but to try and make the best of the abilities they do have. They will develop coping strategies. Ok they may not necessarily get everything done perfectly but it's well enough. Then comes then PIP form, you think you can manage to do these activities, because you kind of have to, but then you read the Members Guides which says if eg you're not safe, or you take too long etc,then under the rules of PIP you find out all the things you thought you could somehow do you count as failing to do! It's a difficult mindset for anyone. Failing to answer questions and being upset is a very strong indication of having disability and there is nothing wrong with that, Indeed it may be very compelling evidence to prove your need for PIP.
Perhaps if you have no close friend to sit with you etc perhaps there is someone impartial who could be an advocate for you and make sure you don't become too upset, and because they are not close you wouldn't feel embarrassed about speaking about yourself in their presence? Even if you are not religious, a local church often have volunteers who can help in this respect, or there might be someone you can contact via your GP surgery. I've seen notices on the wall about this sort of thing.
Of course if you do have someone you know with you, then even if you can't answer the questions they will be able to. I am aware that sometimes disabled people get easily led by the assessor and agree with everything, either due to confusion or just simply so the assessment is shorter. Unfortunately this isn't helpful because it is likely that these aren't the correct answers. Often by having someone with you they can clarify if you have answered incorrectly. Whilst one can never guarantee the assessor's thought process, if he has all the correct information that properly identifies all your disabilities in respect of the pip descriptors he stands a chance of recommending the correct award. If he has confusing and or incorrect information it is much more likely that he will recommend few or zero points.
Finally and this is crucial. Please record the assessment. It is not illegal to do this and there is no need to inform the assessor. Someone else could start the recording just before and leave the room if you really don't want anyone else present. A recording will help prove any discrepancies in the report when it's made, and should hopefully provide clear evidence if you become upset.
I hope this helps.
I wish you good luck.
LL26