Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps have been taken to ensure that staff conducting the medical assessments of personal independence payment applicants understand the (a) care and (b) mobility needs of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

The Personal Independence Payment assessment is not a medical assessment requiring the Health Professional to diagnose a condition and recommend treatment options. The focus is on ensuring Health Professionals are experts in disability analysis, focusing on the effects of health conditions and impairments on a claimant’s daily life.

All Health Professionals undertaking Personal Independent Payment assessments must be registered practitioners who have met requirements around training and competence. Their comprehensive training includes detailed modules covering all aspects of autism. In addition, they carry out simulated assessments to enable Health Professionals to understand how the condition can impact on a person’s ability to undertake the activities in the assessment.

Both Assessment Providers employ specialist practitioners who have at least 2 years of post-registration clinical experience in either a mental health or learning disability role. They are available to provide support and advice to Health Professionals on particular conditions including autism. To strengthen, review and update their training, the Assessment Providers continue to engage with a range of stakeholders including the National Autistic Society.