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Help - son won’t not speak in assessment
- HappyUnwell
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5 years 3 months ago #242829 by HappyUnwell
Help - son won’t not speak in assessment was created by HappyUnwell
Hi, My 16 year old son has Austism - Aspergus (high functioning) and slow processing. I’m his mother the PIP appointee.
During the PIP assessment he would not be able to think fast enough and not know what to say. He would also get extremely anxious. He gets anxious communicating with unknown people and strangers. I therefore speak on his behalf at doctors and when out.
Nhs has stated he has communication difficulties. School says he is often silent when communicating with a stranger.
Both says he needs support to communicate with others. I’ve already put this in the PIL application with school & Nhs letters stating this.
So, in assessment interview, I will be doing all the talking. My son would simply listen and confirm my statements with a “yes” or “no”.
Do I need more documented evidence to allow me to do this in the interview? Is it ok for me to do all the talking? What if they don’t like me doing all the talking? If they leave my son to talk (with no input from me) and he say nothing, will they say he’s obstructing the process and stop his PIP application?
Advice please. Any web links if possible. I’ve read this website‘’s very helpful document on PIP; however still need these questions answered . Many thanks
During the PIP assessment he would not be able to think fast enough and not know what to say. He would also get extremely anxious. He gets anxious communicating with unknown people and strangers. I therefore speak on his behalf at doctors and when out.
Nhs has stated he has communication difficulties. School says he is often silent when communicating with a stranger.
Both says he needs support to communicate with others. I’ve already put this in the PIL application with school & Nhs letters stating this.
So, in assessment interview, I will be doing all the talking. My son would simply listen and confirm my statements with a “yes” or “no”.
Do I need more documented evidence to allow me to do this in the interview? Is it ok for me to do all the talking? What if they don’t like me doing all the talking? If they leave my son to talk (with no input from me) and he say nothing, will they say he’s obstructing the process and stop his PIP application?
Advice please. Any web links if possible. I’ve read this website‘’s very helpful document on PIP; however still need these questions answered . Many thanks
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- BIS
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5 years 3 months ago #242833 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Help - son won’t not speak in assessment
Hi D
You cannot just decide you will speak for your son, even if you are his appointee. That is not how the system works. Most assessors will want to speak to your son (to confirm that he won't speak) and assess his communication difficulties. If you try and insist they can stop the assessment and say that your son has not co-operated with the assessment.
One of our other members was in a similar position as yourself last year even got the assessment provider to agree that she could do all the speaking before she arrived at the home - but when it came to the assessment it was overturned - so be aware. I also have a relation in a similar position and she was allowed to speak every now and then adding things her son could not say but the assessor still insisted on speaking to her son.
You have several things you can do. You could try and push for a paper-based assessment because of the distress that it would cause to your son, and the disadvantage that he is not able to give a good account of himself. A letter from your GP saying this unequivocally would help. However, this is not a certainty.
Obviously you have already described his communication difficulties in your application. You should add to your letter that if they insist on a face 2 face that you are requesting a home visit, because of the stress of going to an assessment centre. You should then add a line about speaking to the assessor before they arrive.
The assessor for my relation who has a son with autism, did actually ring and speak to them and explain the process and how much they would allow my relation to talk. It made things easier all around, but not all assessors are as nice which is why I would mention it.
BIS
You cannot just decide you will speak for your son, even if you are his appointee. That is not how the system works. Most assessors will want to speak to your son (to confirm that he won't speak) and assess his communication difficulties. If you try and insist they can stop the assessment and say that your son has not co-operated with the assessment.
One of our other members was in a similar position as yourself last year even got the assessment provider to agree that she could do all the speaking before she arrived at the home - but when it came to the assessment it was overturned - so be aware. I also have a relation in a similar position and she was allowed to speak every now and then adding things her son could not say but the assessor still insisted on speaking to her son.
You have several things you can do. You could try and push for a paper-based assessment because of the distress that it would cause to your son, and the disadvantage that he is not able to give a good account of himself. A letter from your GP saying this unequivocally would help. However, this is not a certainty.
Obviously you have already described his communication difficulties in your application. You should add to your letter that if they insist on a face 2 face that you are requesting a home visit, because of the stress of going to an assessment centre. You should then add a line about speaking to the assessor before they arrive.
The assessor for my relation who has a son with autism, did actually ring and speak to them and explain the process and how much they would allow my relation to talk. It made things easier all around, but not all assessors are as nice which is why I would mention it.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: HappyUnwell
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- Ketomum
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5 years 3 months ago #242844 by Ketomum
Replied by Ketomum on topic Help - son won’t not speak in assessment
Hi D,
I just wanted to give you a little information regarding my daughters PiP assessment. My daughter is 16 years old and has a moderate/severe learning disability.
I am my daughter's appointee and was told that I will be able to speak on her behalf at the assessment which I thought was great because she has no awareness of her disability.
On the day of her assessment, the assessor told me that although I am my daughter's appointee she would require her to answer the questions herself. I was a little disappointed because I know my daughter cannot answer these questions but just said "ok".
The assessor asked my daughter the first question which was how does your disability affect you? My daughter stayed silent and looked very confused. What seemed like a whole eternity had passed the assessor said to my daughter "It's ok I will ask mum".
From that point, all questions where then directed at me as the assessor could see that my daughter's cognitive impairment was very apparent.
I guess what I am saying is that the assessor will see whether your son will be able to answer the questions himself and if not they will then ask you the questions instead if they feel that his answers are not sufficient.
Hope this helps a little.
I just wanted to give you a little information regarding my daughters PiP assessment. My daughter is 16 years old and has a moderate/severe learning disability.
I am my daughter's appointee and was told that I will be able to speak on her behalf at the assessment which I thought was great because she has no awareness of her disability.
On the day of her assessment, the assessor told me that although I am my daughter's appointee she would require her to answer the questions herself. I was a little disappointed because I know my daughter cannot answer these questions but just said "ok".
The assessor asked my daughter the first question which was how does your disability affect you? My daughter stayed silent and looked very confused. What seemed like a whole eternity had passed the assessor said to my daughter "It's ok I will ask mum".
From that point, all questions where then directed at me as the assessor could see that my daughter's cognitive impairment was very apparent.
I guess what I am saying is that the assessor will see whether your son will be able to answer the questions himself and if not they will then ask you the questions instead if they feel that his answers are not sufficient.
Hope this helps a little.
The following user(s) said Thank You: HappyUnwell
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- HappyUnwell
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5 years 3 months ago #243007 by HappyUnwell
Replied by HappyUnwell on topic Help - son won’t not speak in assessment
Thank you both for your very detailed answer. Knowing what to expect is really helping. I’m expecting the appointment letter soon.
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- HappyUnwell
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5 years 3 months ago #243009 by HappyUnwell
Replied by HappyUnwell on topic Help - son won’t not speak in assessment
I’m looking to make a recording of the interview.. I know I need to inform them first.
I’ve read the following ...
“... you must give a complete and accurate copy of the recording to the health professional at the end of the consultation. In practice, this means that you must use specialist equipment that can simultaneously record two copies such as a dual cassette recorder..”
In Argos they sell single tape cassette recorders. I was thinking of buying two of these and using both at the same time to make the recording. I then give assessor one cassette recording. Would this be OK that is using two separate recorders at same time?
I found this Bush Cassette Player and Recorder
www.argos.co.uk/product/5740413
I’ve read the following ...
“... you must give a complete and accurate copy of the recording to the health professional at the end of the consultation. In practice, this means that you must use specialist equipment that can simultaneously record two copies such as a dual cassette recorder..”
In Argos they sell single tape cassette recorders. I was thinking of buying two of these and using both at the same time to make the recording. I then give assessor one cassette recording. Would this be OK that is using two separate recorders at same time?
I found this Bush Cassette Player and Recorder
www.argos.co.uk/product/5740413
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- BIS
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5 years 3 months ago #243012 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Help - son won’t not speak in assessment
Hi D
You're right - you do have to give prior notice that you wish to record. It's perfectly acceptable to have two recording machines - just make sure you test the recording quality before the assessment. Some people have also added an external microphone to ensure they pick up the sound adequately.
BIS
You're right - you do have to give prior notice that you wish to record. It's perfectly acceptable to have two recording machines - just make sure you test the recording quality before the assessment. Some people have also added an external microphone to ensure they pick up the sound adequately.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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