Assessment report received...

So, our HP assessment report is received and it is, as predicted, littered with inaccuracies, untruths and misinterpretations. There is no reference to the additional evidence we uploaded (screenshots of text support offered every single day, several times) or his psychological assessment.

The assessor has utterly misrepresented what was said. She said he told her he could prepare and cook a meal, had no problem buying fresh food or preparing it. This after we spent ages explaining how he could not do this. He NEVER cooks, he lives on reheated breaded chicken. His ADHD means he cannot plan more than a step or two at a time, follow a recipe, time food, use a kitchen... he just would not be able to do this.
She said he washes most days...we told her he went days, sometimes weeks, without washing.
She said he had no difficult choosing clean clothes, when we clearly stated he hardly ever changes. He wears the same clothes for days on end. She said he could chose appropriate clothing - we gave an example of him picking whatever he'd been wearing for days regardless of the weather, like a heavy coat when it is hot outside.
She said he can plan a journey!!!!! Oh my days....
She said he managed housework ok!

It is like she is reporting on a completely different assessment, it's crazy!

She was clearly not listening (she was typing as we spoke) and reported he undertook a 50 minute bus journey unaided - it is actually 15 minutes and he can only now do it unaided as it is really familiar. We hammered this home to her, that he could only do it because it was familiar and simple, and that I was on standby in case of unforeseen occurrences.

I am going to have to go through it page by page and point out the inaccuracies!! We did ask for it to be recorded, so hopefully they will have a recording of it if there is any dispute.

One question I have - they keep referring to a letter (hospital letter) from August 2023 stating his symptoms were manageable and had reduced below the threshold for diagnosis. I have no idea what letter they are referring to - can we ask for a copy? He has never been to the hospital for his ADHD. He received treatment through a private organisation, but I cannot imagine they said this, his symptoms have never reduced despite trying all the different medications.

Thanks...now on to addressing all these incorrect statements...joy!

Anji

All I can do is send sympathy and strength to arm you for the task of deconstructing the report.
Just remember to keep the language coldly neutral, however hot your fury. So, they 'failed to record correctly' 'overlooked evidence supplied' or the like, never ever 'lied' however much that's just what they did do.
Best,
Denby

Thanks, yes I have been very careful to say 'didn't appear to fully consider' and 'perhaps couldn't properly concentrate on what we said'.

We have located the source of the letter, it was from his ADHD clinic to his GP. They are going to write a supporting letter, so hopefully they will explain what they meant as this phrase seems to be the crux of their decision making and is trumping everything else.

Hey ho...I have now covered the 43 inaccuracies I found in the report and am ready to send the appeal off.

On another note, the assessor is a pharmacist, yet is apparently making psychologic assessments (he has no problem with working memory...!!)

Happy days! 😀

I've been through the exact same thing with my Son. Bear with it all and keep fighting. Turn your anger into determination! Very good luck. X