PIP Assessment, ADHD, Aspergers

Hi all,

Is there any particular advice I should bear in mind if I have high functioning autism, and ADHD? My PIP assessment is on Friday. I already regret not registering here earlier.

I'm 28, male and live in Northern Ireland. For DLA, I get middle care & lower mobility. I wrote the PIP form on my really worst possible day. My gripe is that not only are my disabilities invisible (like epilepsy), they often look better than neurotypicals when they aren't.

Capita got evidence from GP, which I wasn't expecting. He enclosed my Aspergers diagnosis (several pages) and my psychiatrist's last report (the psych monitors my ritalin, for ADHD). Annoyingly, they will be aware from this that I work, and live alone. (I'll tell them I have a less demanding job, eg. cleaner or call centre.)

I have a copy of the assesment guide & will read it thoroughly. I expect to basically have to appear 'in character' in the assessment; with no eye contact, taking things literally, and a dress sense beyond inappropriate (hawaiian shirt in 1°C). I definitely don't want to make the assessor's job harder, but to make obvious all the symptoms & care that I need. My friend (no points, psychosis & drug addiction) will accompany me.

I will tell them tomorrow that I will record it. In Northern Ireland, you can record using two separate dictaphones.

Adam, I've just been to assessment with my son who has similar problems to you, with regard to work we made sure to tell them about difficulties such as reasonable adjustments needed, employment support past and present, adjusted hours, difficulties finding and keeping jobs, if you don't explain the difficulties they will imagine it's easy for you. They asked about education so I had to remember the support he'd had in school and college as well. Basically remember all the difficulties you have day to day and the help you need not only with the PIP activities but also life in general because they may throw some random questions at you and it helps to be prepared. Also they may ask if you drive and may make assumptions from that.

My son's report just came back and apparently he made no eye contact with the assessor, showed a lack of understanding of the questions and needed them clarifying, was hesitant in his speech, kept fiddling with things, paced the room and looked unkempt with dirty hair which was news to me as I never let him leave the house looking like that! You really never know how they will perceive you and to be honest after going through a few assessments myself some of it seems to be down to luck so I hope you have some good luck and a decent assessor.

Yup. Those are the sorts of behaviours which I need to display to them exactly. After a bit of life experience, the symptoms get less obvious to see. They are absolutely still there.

Begin sarcasm
In any case, I don't drive.
I definitely don't have a driving licence for a car and motorcycle; and last night I definitely didn't take my car for its MOT.
End sarcasm

How did you get on - did you get your award, Adam?