Seeking Advice (ESA) AUTISM, Learning Disabilities
webbjk
Community member Posts: 2 Listener
Hello everyone,
This is the first time i have ever posted on a forum and i am looking for some advice, i suffer with Autism, ADHD and i also have a learning disability. I think one of my most difficulties of having my conditions is having to explain them because even at the age of 31 i am still learning new things about myself yet alone explain everything in full detail to someone during an assessment especially when its an invisble illness you talk about . In 2019 i had a assessment and was put into the group to prepare for work. In all honesty i was pretty much left alone not alot was happening and i got to stage that although my anxiety and depression was through the roof but think the source of my depression i did want to make something of myself, have a purpose and a better quality of life i promised myself i would get a job before i turn 30 so i pushed and i pushed, i asked the work coach for every course that was going. After 4 courses over the period of 3 months with the final completion to a job interview. Considering it was my first interview i was lucky to have been offered 3 roles and finally i could start earning money and be proud and feel worthy, it was a factory type full time and as time on i struggled and i made to a year until i couldnt do no more, (i.e sensory issues with lights/noise) i then went from that job and into hospility working in a kitchen (probably not the best environment for my conditions) but i stuck at that for year until towards christmas this year i was at breaking point. I have learnt that i cannot seem to hold down a full time job because my health just seems to deteriorate, sleep, eating and sometimes even hygiene (teeth etc) i just forget. I know 100% in these 2 years i have learnt alot and athough i am angry with myself for quitting towards end but im proud i made it this far but same time regret chucking myself straight into it because i am fully burnt out, constantly sleeping,back on anti depressants, sick note in for 3 months i have a new doctor as moved since then and she is very understanding, but feel from the very start i should had been put in at least one of the groups all those years ago, since coming out of employment i am now on new medication for my autism which is medical cannabis from a private clinics because sometimes when change of routine would happen at work i could have quite bad meltdowns and can have random bursts of anger, since cannabis, it helps alot aswell as for insomnia and appetite. A work colleague of mine who is always a superviser to where i worked is going to write me up a statement as he was one to witness my meltdowns in the kitchen, but can anyone advice me on anything else i could use for evidence? I have my full medical file which does state my conditons, or would it be better to ask my doctor to write up how my conditions affect me? Im really worrying i have really put my foot in it because i have worked for those 2 years in my life they will now just think im fine, i think i wish i knew what i know now and think they didnt get much evidence from the doctor and thats where i went wrong last time. i do want to work, i really do because i saw how much growth in me and the soical element of things but there has to be a balance of quality. i really like gardening, for example it seems all the jobs that i do love and would fit for me would never be enough for me to live on. Im sorry for my long story. I would be so greatful for any advice on anything. i always get scared about speaking out cause feel people going to think im just lying
This is the first time i have ever posted on a forum and i am looking for some advice, i suffer with Autism, ADHD and i also have a learning disability. I think one of my most difficulties of having my conditions is having to explain them because even at the age of 31 i am still learning new things about myself yet alone explain everything in full detail to someone during an assessment especially when its an invisble illness you talk about . In 2019 i had a assessment and was put into the group to prepare for work. In all honesty i was pretty much left alone not alot was happening and i got to stage that although my anxiety and depression was through the roof but think the source of my depression i did want to make something of myself, have a purpose and a better quality of life i promised myself i would get a job before i turn 30 so i pushed and i pushed, i asked the work coach for every course that was going. After 4 courses over the period of 3 months with the final completion to a job interview. Considering it was my first interview i was lucky to have been offered 3 roles and finally i could start earning money and be proud and feel worthy, it was a factory type full time and as time on i struggled and i made to a year until i couldnt do no more, (i.e sensory issues with lights/noise) i then went from that job and into hospility working in a kitchen (probably not the best environment for my conditions) but i stuck at that for year until towards christmas this year i was at breaking point. I have learnt that i cannot seem to hold down a full time job because my health just seems to deteriorate, sleep, eating and sometimes even hygiene (teeth etc) i just forget. I know 100% in these 2 years i have learnt alot and athough i am angry with myself for quitting towards end but im proud i made it this far but same time regret chucking myself straight into it because i am fully burnt out, constantly sleeping,back on anti depressants, sick note in for 3 months i have a new doctor as moved since then and she is very understanding, but feel from the very start i should had been put in at least one of the groups all those years ago, since coming out of employment i am now on new medication for my autism which is medical cannabis from a private clinics because sometimes when change of routine would happen at work i could have quite bad meltdowns and can have random bursts of anger, since cannabis, it helps alot aswell as for insomnia and appetite. A work colleague of mine who is always a superviser to where i worked is going to write me up a statement as he was one to witness my meltdowns in the kitchen, but can anyone advice me on anything else i could use for evidence? I have my full medical file which does state my conditons, or would it be better to ask my doctor to write up how my conditions affect me? Im really worrying i have really put my foot in it because i have worked for those 2 years in my life they will now just think im fine, i think i wish i knew what i know now and think they didnt get much evidence from the doctor and thats where i went wrong last time. i do want to work, i really do because i saw how much growth in me and the soical element of things but there has to be a balance of quality. i really like gardening, for example it seems all the jobs that i do love and would fit for me would never be enough for me to live on. Im sorry for my long story. I would be so greatful for any advice on anything. i always get scared about speaking out cause feel people going to think im just lying
1
Comments
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I don't know if this is a new assessment for a new claim or whether you've been found fit for work? Sorry if I missed that but found it difficult to read without any paragraphs.
Either way, I would advise you not to send the whole of your medical records. Less is often more for evidence. You mention Autism, if you have the assessment report from that then you can send that. My daughter's report for this goes into a considerable amount of detail.
Any other evidence that you have that's relevant can also be sent. When filling out the forms you can also include a couple of real world examples of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you.
Also include detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.
You can see the descriptors for Support Group here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/support-group-descriptors
If it's New style ESA you're claiming then this is only paid for 1 year unless placed into the Support Group.
Are you also claiming Universal Credit as well? The ESA is deducted in full from any UC entitlement but if you need to claim for help with the rent, this would be included with the UC.0 -
Sorry if I missed that but found it difficult to read without any paragraphs.
New member, first time posting on a forum..?
I would be upset to get a response like this esp if I'd never posted on a forum before! This isn't school. Nobody points out your mistakes with spelling, grammar or punctuation.
It's not obvious that the 'enter' key can be used to create paragraphs. This key is also used to send messages on other sites. Word-processing and learning how to use this forum took me a very long time (as an autistic person).
We are incredibly sensitive to criticism, as you know, and need encouragement to express what is incredibly difficult to understand, never mind explain!
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@WhatThe I’m sorry you thought that about my response but I was only being honest.I try my very hardest all the time to give advice to members and it is difficult for me to read a big block like that.
I’m certainly not the first person here to say this either and probably won’t be the last.1 -
It's difficult to read for me also, it looks like a black box with white lines in it.0
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Sorry I will try to remember for next time with writing in paragraph to make it easier and apologise to those who have trouble understanding me (worse in person) and find writing it down easier I’m currently waiting for a new assessment with the UC50
/ESA50 to come through the post any day now.Although I am diagnosed I can’t seem to find anything in depth just shows as active problems on summary report.0
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