Pip, Autism, classification of condition especially in planning and following a journey.

Hi everyone i'm just looking for some clarification. I have submitted my pip form about how my disability effects me. I have Autism. I am confused about the planning and following a journey.

I can't help but try to find all data/ information about pip, it helps me understand, manage my worries but I don't understand what Im reading about this question.

It states that Autism isn't a mental health condition, sensory or cognitive imparement so wouldn't be covered for overwhelming distress?

I thought that I would meed descriptor f. Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid.

but other places online say that I wouldnt meet that whilst being autistic and I dont understand. this is what I put on my form (with help)

When I go outdoors, I cannot make a journey independently, safely. I’m unable to follow the route of even familiar journeys without another person due to the overwhelming psychological distress I experience from sensory overload, anxiety, and cognitive processing difficulties caused by my autism. When I try to travel alone, I become disoriented, distressed, and at risk of harm.

I wear sunglasses and headphones/earplugs to try and limit my sensory issues but it often isn't enough to prevent becoming overwhelmed.

I cannot use public transport at all. The sound of engines, people talking, announcements, bright lights, and the movement of the vehicle cause extreme sensory overload. This makes me feel physically sick, panicked, and confused. When I reach that point, I can’t think clearly or stay calm. Once, while walking with my mum near a busy road, a loud noise and crowd triggered me to panic and I ran into the road, I narrowly avoided being hit by a car. On another occasion, I became overwhelmed and I ran away, got lost, and couldn’t figure out how to get back. I was completely disoriented and too distressed to ask anyone for help. My mum had to get in the car and come find me.

Even familiar journeys, like the school run, are not manageable on my own. In the three years my son has gone to school, I’ve only done the school run about ten times, and always with my ex-partner. I can’t cope with the noise and chaos of the other parents and children, so I wait outside the gate on a bench nearby because I can’t go into the playground without becoming overwhelmed and wait for my ex-partner to return

When I leave the house, I always need to be supervised by my mum or ex-partner. They’re essential to helping me manage the journey, they monitor me for signs of shutdown or distress, explain what’s happening around me, and step in quickly if something unexpected happens. They help regulate my breathing, and physically guide me away from situations that might cause a meltdown. If I become too overwhelmed, they help me get home safely.

Without that support, I wouldn’t be able to complete journeys safely, even ones I’ve done many times. I can’t adapt to unexpected changes like diversions or someone talking to me. I don’t process new or confusing information fast enough to respond safely, and my reactions can be extreme, shutting down completely, panicking, or behaving in unsafe ways like running or freezing on multiple occasions I have run away ang got lost or run into traffic.

Please can someone explain if I'm misunderstanding this descriptor. Thank you in advance