Setting up govt disability support - advice needed pls

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Hi all -

In favour of getting a diagnosis: like some of you, I struggled to admit that I had a disability, let alone needed help for it. But when I accepted my diagnoses (yes, plural. And yes, 'complex', going by my psychiatrist report) they set me free - free to make good and appropriate decisions regarding my health and wellbeing. Permission to not beat myself up because I realised that it wasn't that I was lazy or not trying hard enough. And freedom to finally accept myself as I was, not as who I or others wanted me to be.

One additional advantage of a diagnosis is that if you give it to the government, they will sometimes help! Which is what has somehow happened to me.

So my question to you, worthy fellow ASDers, is how do I help the government help me? I've been accepted on the NDIS, which is the Australian government disability support program. I have my first program planning meeting with an NDIS disability representative coming up in a few days. I'll need to outline my goals and needs with them. Any tips for navigating the labyrinth that is the NDIS (or similar in your country)?

Many thanks,

CS

I am sorry that you never got a response to this.

I have attempted to post similar to wrongplanet.net in the past, and have had zero responses.

I think a lot of it comes down to the fact that so much of the members are based in the states, where they have very little in regards to social safety nets, and little exposure to people outside of the states.

I am an Irishman, that lives in Norway, and I am coming to terms with the Norwegian system.

I have received my diagnosis in February, and I would say only really in the last couple of weeks have I started to accept it.

It is with that acceptance, that I started to look into what is needed to manage the disorder, just as you have.

What I would say is, that it sounds like a good first step, to get yourself registered with the disability support program.

I would really say that all the systems are likely to be different, and it depends on what NDIS can offer you, but discussing a plan with them will likely reveal what they have to offer.

As for me, in Norway, they will not express that I even have a disability, and they haven't provided any support outside of a diagnosis. It is only after I have started to research the supports needed for ASD, did I realize that there is a lot of work to do. I will meet with my doctor next week, to confront them on the situation, because I would really appreciate having a disability representative to talk to, so I can understand the plan going forward. Right now, I have never little hope.

Hey, no need to apologise. I don't take it personally that my post didn't get inundated with rresponses . It was an obscure question.

But thanks anyway for being the lone responder. I hope you can get help for your diagnosis. I'm getting some help with mine.

I don't know how it works in Australia. I am from Canada.
I was diagnosed at age 33.

The way my process worked, I was first told I may be on the spectrum at age 31.

Despite the first psychiatrist telling me that I may be on the spectrum, I was not convinced. It took over a year for me to agree to get formally diagnosed. I actually canceled several appointments because I felt there was no way I was autistic.

I needed a psychiatrists referral to a clinic that gives the formal diagnosis. Then once I received the actual diagnosis, I took that paperwork and applied for the government disability support. It was a matter of attaining the required paperwork.

I don’t know anyone who has been granted disability benefits for being on the autism spectrum in the US. It’s unfair because I think many autistic people want to work at jobs that pay fairly but we are excluded because we don’t have the required social connections. For many of us, this is the only reason that we cannot land a good job, especially if we are educated. No one wants to be a burden on society but society sets the restrictions here. When I was younger it was easier to mask as neurotypical and acquire neurotypical social connections via colleges. Now, at nearly 55 years of age, those connections are diminished dramatically. Some of my former colleagues have passed away while others are retired. I don’t have the luxury of retirement so I’m searching for employment now. Since I don’t qualify for disability under their requirements, I try to put my best foot forward each day. Currently I’m in the process of relocating just to find better employment opportunities and resources. When my savings are tapped out, I don’t know what I’ll do. I find it impressive that I have managed to live this long given the stigmas and challenges that we face.

In any event, I wish you the best of luck in your country. May you have everything that you need to live a healthy, prosperous life.