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Severe Dyslexia PIP Application
- TinyClanger
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2 years 4 months ago #275901 by TinyClanger
Severe Dyslexia PIP Application was created by TinyClanger
My partner has finally received a confirmed diagnosis of very severe dyslexia by a clinical psychologist. Now his diagnosis is confirmed, I am looking to apply for PIP on his behalf given his difficulties. Having looked at various forums it would appear that generally applications for dyslexia alone are not successful, however my partner's dyslexia is profound. One of the worst cases the assessor has come across. My partner is essentially illiterate and he requires a great deal of support.
Having looked at PIP there are a number of areas I would be focusing on:
Daily Living
1) Preparing Food
Needs prompting to be able to prepare and cook food. (Unable to read cooking instructions, food labelling or recipes, short term memory issues requires prompting while cooking stages of meal)
3) Medication
Needs supervision/prompting to manage medication (Unable to read medication labels or instructions/dosages, requires prompting to take medication daily).
8) Reading
Cannot read or understand signs, symbol or words at all. (Unable to reliably undertake task, can understand some symbols, but few signage with words, only a handful memorised. All text has to be read out).
10) Making budgeting decisions
Needs prompting and assistance for complex budgeting decisions. (Inability to understand bank statements, help needed with all financial admin, paying bills, online shopping etc.) Also complete distrust because of financial fraud/abuse in past.
Mobility
1) Planning and Following Journeys
Cannot follow the route without another person/assistance or orientation device.
Cannot use satnav unassisted, this has to be set up for him before a journey. Any changes to the route result in complete meltdowns and disorientation because he cannot read street names. Inability to read maps or directional road signs, timetables etc. Would require assistance at train stations, bus stations to get on right trains/buses etc.
I'll be getting in touch with the British Dyslexic Association as well for advice. But if anyone has had success with their claim and are in similar circumstances I would be interested to hear more.
Many thanks
Having looked at PIP there are a number of areas I would be focusing on:
Daily Living
1) Preparing Food
Needs prompting to be able to prepare and cook food. (Unable to read cooking instructions, food labelling or recipes, short term memory issues requires prompting while cooking stages of meal)
3) Medication
Needs supervision/prompting to manage medication (Unable to read medication labels or instructions/dosages, requires prompting to take medication daily).
8) Reading
Cannot read or understand signs, symbol or words at all. (Unable to reliably undertake task, can understand some symbols, but few signage with words, only a handful memorised. All text has to be read out).
10) Making budgeting decisions
Needs prompting and assistance for complex budgeting decisions. (Inability to understand bank statements, help needed with all financial admin, paying bills, online shopping etc.) Also complete distrust because of financial fraud/abuse in past.
Mobility
1) Planning and Following Journeys
Cannot follow the route without another person/assistance or orientation device.
Cannot use satnav unassisted, this has to be set up for him before a journey. Any changes to the route result in complete meltdowns and disorientation because he cannot read street names. Inability to read maps or directional road signs, timetables etc. Would require assistance at train stations, bus stations to get on right trains/buses etc.
I'll be getting in touch with the British Dyslexic Association as well for advice. But if anyone has had success with their claim and are in similar circumstances I would be interested to hear more.
Many thanks
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- BIS
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2 years 4 months ago #275922 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Severe Dyslexia PIP Application
Hi TinyClanger
One of the reasons I believe why claimants have often not been successful in claiming PIP for dyslexia alone is that it is a largely misunderstood condition, especially when it is severe. My first piece of advice is don't assume that the person reading it will understand it at all - so you will need to spell it out. Make sure you refer everything back to the specific PIP criteria and emphasise that it is not just about reading (which I am sure will be in his psychologist's report). You already know the other areas your partner is affected, like short-term memory, problems concentrating etc - so include all the extra pieces, even if you have to repeat the same information for different questions.
1. Preparing Food - it is up to you, but I would go for 1e because, from what you have said, he doesn't just need prompting; he needs supervision because there are real safety issues when someone is illiterate. After all, if he can't read labels, how would he know that food was safe to eat? He can't choose a healthy option without someone else reading the information. If he's limited in what he can cook, then you need to say so because this is directly linked to his condition. Also, there are his short-term memory issues, so there are safety and reliability issues. Do make sure that you have read through the manual to see you are covering all bases for answering the question. Use extra paper if necessary.
2. Medication - Highlight the safety aspects of someone not being able to read what the medication says. If he has short-term memory problems, does he remember what he has taken?
3. Reading - Obviously, all the things you have said. What impact does this have on his mental health? But don't forget to empasis - all the different areas of his life where he might need to recognise signs and symbols - and if he's too embarrassed to ask - say so. You should then look at the question about communicating with others - because this could have an impact.
Mobility
If he doesn't use public transport because of dyslexia - then say so. (They are supposed to consider all modes of transport - though they like to ignore it). Also, emphasis again on his vulnerabilities. As you have highlighted, it's scary if things change. If his concentration is poor, then is he likely to pick up on public announcements? - he then can't go and check by reading a board or notice.
I can't say you will not find it a challenge if he has no obvious co-existing conditions with dyslexia, but the NHS website says what a debilitating condition it can be. Unfortunately, they concentrate on reading - as if everyone is a student - which is why you need to spell it out and quote from sources like the British Dyslexia Association and his report from the clinical psychologist. Quote from the report against specific questions. Don't just attach it to the end - or assessors have a habit of not correctly relating it to the PIP criteria.
Do come back and ask any further questions, and we will try and help if we can. Hopefully, some of the members might chip in with their advice and experience.
BIS
One of the reasons I believe why claimants have often not been successful in claiming PIP for dyslexia alone is that it is a largely misunderstood condition, especially when it is severe. My first piece of advice is don't assume that the person reading it will understand it at all - so you will need to spell it out. Make sure you refer everything back to the specific PIP criteria and emphasise that it is not just about reading (which I am sure will be in his psychologist's report). You already know the other areas your partner is affected, like short-term memory, problems concentrating etc - so include all the extra pieces, even if you have to repeat the same information for different questions.
1. Preparing Food - it is up to you, but I would go for 1e because, from what you have said, he doesn't just need prompting; he needs supervision because there are real safety issues when someone is illiterate. After all, if he can't read labels, how would he know that food was safe to eat? He can't choose a healthy option without someone else reading the information. If he's limited in what he can cook, then you need to say so because this is directly linked to his condition. Also, there are his short-term memory issues, so there are safety and reliability issues. Do make sure that you have read through the manual to see you are covering all bases for answering the question. Use extra paper if necessary.
2. Medication - Highlight the safety aspects of someone not being able to read what the medication says. If he has short-term memory problems, does he remember what he has taken?
3. Reading - Obviously, all the things you have said. What impact does this have on his mental health? But don't forget to empasis - all the different areas of his life where he might need to recognise signs and symbols - and if he's too embarrassed to ask - say so. You should then look at the question about communicating with others - because this could have an impact.
Mobility
If he doesn't use public transport because of dyslexia - then say so. (They are supposed to consider all modes of transport - though they like to ignore it). Also, emphasis again on his vulnerabilities. As you have highlighted, it's scary if things change. If his concentration is poor, then is he likely to pick up on public announcements? - he then can't go and check by reading a board or notice.
I can't say you will not find it a challenge if he has no obvious co-existing conditions with dyslexia, but the NHS website says what a debilitating condition it can be. Unfortunately, they concentrate on reading - as if everyone is a student - which is why you need to spell it out and quote from sources like the British Dyslexia Association and his report from the clinical psychologist. Quote from the report against specific questions. Don't just attach it to the end - or assessors have a habit of not correctly relating it to the PIP criteria.
Do come back and ask any further questions, and we will try and help if we can. Hopefully, some of the members might chip in with their advice and experience.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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