PIP system 'must not disadvantage people with autism'

The National Autistic Society is urging the government to make sure people with autism do not lose out, following yesterday's (December 7th) proposals to replace Disability Living Allowance with Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Mark Lever, chief executive of the society, welcomed the intention to take into account an individual's ability to interact and communicate in medical reassessments, but cautioned that this process could be complicated when assessing people with autism.

"We question whether the government's plan to continually review PIP is the best use of public money for people with life-long conditions like autism that aren't going to change," he said.

Mr Lever went on to say that many autistic adults will be in an "almost constant state of anxiety" if the government presses ahead with plans to regularly review PIP.

Last month, the National Autistic Society held a workshop in Coventry to help understand the behaviour of people with autism.

Find out about Barchester's support for adults and children with a wide range of autistic spectrum conditions.