I’m crushed 😞 PIP zero points

Everythingzrosie

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1047996#Comment_1047996

ok thank you, I’ve no idea what I’m doing 😬 hubby has said he will help me. I know I should score highly on the questions about communication with others, going out and planning journeys. It’s that area I feel they taken things and spun them.

Everythingzrosie

Another thing-what is the relevance of a job I had 12 years ago? I’m applying for PIP for how I manage day to day now, not 12 years ago??

durhamjaide2001

good luck for your doctors appointment goes well for Monday and that is ridiculous that they could only score you 2 points in the end keep fighting and you will get there.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1048032#Comment_1048032

No relevance at all really. They just make it up as they go along. Two of the most frequent reasons for refusal are that the claimant passed a driving test decades ago (even if they can't drive now) and they attended mainstream school or higher education decades ago… Again, totally irrelevant, but this is the only system in place so we just have to try and make the best of it.

Amaya_Ringo

Coming into this a couple of days late, but this happened to me as well, almost exactly as you experienced it. I'm also autistic, I also mask well because I was diagnosed as an adult (I was 23).

There were a lot of errors in my report from what was said in the assessment and what was in the decision letter. But I did go to tribunal and I did win, and when my review came up a few years later I didn't have to contest the result. So. Is it worth the fight? I think so.

However, take care of your mental health first and foremost. You'll understand this, being autistic yourself, but having to go through such a confrontational, frustrating process takes its toll. Since you already have some difficulties with your mental health, I am glad you are seeking a doctor's advice. And because of this, just bear in mind…

The MR will likely also refuse your application. There's a very poor level of understanding of autism, especially for those of us who have learned to mask. They may misrepresent you or your evidence and it might be upsetting. Mine cherrypicked two words from my evidence and used it to bolster false assumptions about autism, rather than looking at the rest of the documents I submitted. So be prepared for that - even if they are that way, don't think it means they've won. It's just a step in the process.

Tribunal means they have to read all your evidence, and make sure you have a copy of all their evidence. Get your husband to help you break down those things and be ready to challenge them. Tribunal is not fun. It's stressful. It's not designed for people with autism, who don't necessarily perform well when put on the spot or in a face to face situation. I suggest putting together a statement that your husband can read for you or which you can give to them at the start of the tribunal. I did this, it really helped, because I was able to put my thoughts coherently and explain why their decision was wrong, what support I needed and so on.

At the end of the day, an appeal can be a long process. Taking care of yourself is the biggest thing. Your wellbeing is the most important aspect, so only do what you feel you are capable of doing.

As for masking well, this is a major red flag and shows how badly the DWP understand autism. You can fake being okay, but that doesn't make you okay. There's plenty of research out there that shows the impact of high masking on mental health and general wellbeing. An assessor who understands autism should see that as a red flag. It may be useful to get whoever is supporting your mental health to write you a statement for your MR about the impact of masking on burnout and on your current mental health struggles. It may not work at the MR but may be useful if you go to tribunal.

Everythingzrosie

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1048187#Comment_1048187

thank you so much!! I’m so sorry you faced all of that. You understand and have written exactly how I’m feeling about it all. I’m so glad you got what you are entitled to. The process is brutal and so inhuman

Everythingzrosie

I just wanted to update.

My husband and I sat down and highlighted all the details that we disagreed with and corrected it with the descriptors.
Actually going through it really shone a light on the injustice of my decision letter and how little is understood of Autism. Still.
O felt much better having it all written down.

It got sent and now for another long wait 😏

thanks again for the advice, support and links to help me through. What a wonderful supportive forum 😍

Albus_Scope

That's great that you got it all filled in @Everythingzrosie we'll all be keeping our fingers crossed for you. Will you let us know how you get on please?

Everythingzrosie

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1049731#Comment_1049731

@Albus_Scope absolutely I will. I’m finding Scope online really helpful so won’t be going anywhere 🙂

Everythingzrosie

@Amaya_Ringo I just wanted to update to comment again with what you wrote to me. Your detailed response really helps because I don’t know anyone that is autistic as an adult. So to know others experiencing how I feel, is a less lonely feeling. I’m still learning who I really am after masking for so long. To then apply for pip to basically be told I manage so off you go, it really demoralised me. I know how much I struggle but the DWP want you to know how they think in order to get them to understand and make the process so difficult.
I always thought everyone felt and did things the way I have to to get by and to realise they don’t, they are so lucky to be free to live daily without the mental exhaustion

Albus_Scope

There's a few of us on the community who're late diagnosed @Everythingzrosie we're all here for you if you ever need some support with the tangle that is the 'tism. 😊

Everythingzrosie

@Albus_Scope I recognised myself in my diagnosed children and that’s why I went for the assessments. I honestly thought I’d be told ‘don’t be daft’ kinda thing. When I was diagnosed, it took me until now to accept it and know that my way of thinking and doing thinks isn’t NT and my husband is a rock. He accepts me for me, until we had our first child ND, who my husband really understands, neither of us picked up on it. Now it’s blooming obvious 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

I don’t know your story but it’s great to know there are other late diagnosed here ☺️

Albus_Scope

It really does open up a whole new world doesn't it? Suddenly the way you think isn't wrong, it's just not thinking like a neurotypical. Which can actually be a huge advantage in some situations. I think most people start their journey with that little "ok, well maybe I AM on the spectrum? No, it's silly, I'm just silly…" 😆

I was diagnosed two years ago, on my 44th birthday, so that was quite an interesting birthday present. But thanks to my diagnosis, I have adjustments in place at work that mean I can work so much more efficiently and I love my job at last. Plus I've learned who I am and to be a bit more gentle with myself. It does take a long while, but it's so worth it, so keep going with that journey of self discovery, it sounds like you've got an amazing cheerleader by your side too. ❤️

Everythingzrosie

@Albus_Scope thank you for sharing your story, it’s great to finally find a place I belong at the grand age of 47. Better late than never 😁