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Autism and paper-based assessment
- Asbo
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1 year 4 months ago #281410 by Asbo
Autism and paper-based assessment was created by Asbo
Hi, at the age of 64 I've just got another ESA form to fill out. I didn't have a diagnosis of autism last time, admittedly, but have a raft of other conditions. But I was greatly traumatized last time (4 years ago) when they tried to bully me in for a F2F and I've never been called in before. I've always had a paper based one before but another benefits adviser told me they may try and phone me instead. But I'm terrified of phone calls and I understand that under the Equality Act reasonable adjustments would be I can ask for email instead (I know they won't do that) but because of the time needed to process questions and think about answers (an autism thing and anxiety thing) the phone is no good for me. I also was late diagnosed with ADHD.
Autism is a lifelong condition and therefore isn't going to change so isn't this is a case for a paper-based assessment?
Thanks
Autism is a lifelong condition and therefore isn't going to change so isn't this is a case for a paper-based assessment?
Thanks
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1 year 4 months ago #281420 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Autism and paper-based assessment
Hi Asbo
A number of B&W members who are a year out from their 65th birthday have also reported receiving an ESA form.
I can't tell you what type of assessment they will do, but when you fill out the form, request a paper-based assessment and say that you are unable to communicate adequately on the phone, particularly because of your autism.
Unfortunately, regardless of the Equality Act, the DWP doesn't have a legal requirement to give someone the assessment of their choice. Most claimants would probably request a paper-based assessment.
Having Autism(or any other life-long condition) generally doesn't lead them to automatically do a paper-based assessment - because two people with the same diagnosis can have vastly different difficulties - and one person may be able to work and another never could.
So that's why I suggest when you send back the form, you ask for a paper-based assessment and describe the additional difficulties you have on top of your other health conditions.
BIS
A number of B&W members who are a year out from their 65th birthday have also reported receiving an ESA form.
I can't tell you what type of assessment they will do, but when you fill out the form, request a paper-based assessment and say that you are unable to communicate adequately on the phone, particularly because of your autism.
Unfortunately, regardless of the Equality Act, the DWP doesn't have a legal requirement to give someone the assessment of their choice. Most claimants would probably request a paper-based assessment.
Having Autism(or any other life-long condition) generally doesn't lead them to automatically do a paper-based assessment - because two people with the same diagnosis can have vastly different difficulties - and one person may be able to work and another never could.
So that's why I suggest when you send back the form, you ask for a paper-based assessment and describe the additional difficulties you have on top of your other health conditions.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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1 year 4 months ago #281423 by Asbo
Replied by Asbo on topic Autism and paper-based assessment
Thank you. BIS. I am quite cynical why they should be hassling people who are 64.
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