How to get a diagnosis of learning disabilities for son so he can get support and move into supported living?

[deborahcoxsuckle]

He's currently in a tricky living situation. He's being financially abused . He also has MH difficulties and is vulnerable. His last IQ assessment he scored 81 on a IQ test and the CLDT who did the test say they can't meet his needs as he hasn't got a intellectual disability and the MH team will meet his needs, But the MH says he's not at the level of help needed for their criteria. I'm stressed out. I'm 77 years old and all I want for my son is to be supported and in supported living away from people who take drugs.. I think he has a LD and he was classed as backwards as a child but there is no support. How can I get another IQ assessment? Or would the first one always stick? It was done by a psychologist from the CLDT.

[49Twister]

I'm so sorry for your situation. When did your son last have a psychology assessment was it when he was a child? My son was born in the 70's but he went to a special school all his life.not mainstream. I can't actually remember him being given a label back then but he obviously had a LD. In 2014 he was suffering with terrible anxiety due to people believing he was capable of much more. I took him to the GP and she referred him to a psychologist. He was assessed and scored 47 regarding IQ and classed as having a Severe Learning Disability. He has been in supported living for the last 8 years which isn't all it's cracked up to be I might add. He has just undergone capacity tests for finance and health this year and proved he doesn’t have capacity for either. He has also been put on the long waiting list for Autism and ADHD assessments which should have been done years ago. I understand my son’s I Q is a lot lower than your son but what I'm saying is if he hasn't been assessed for many years it would be a good idea to have it done again. If it's been quite recent then they might not agree. My son is 49 and I'm 74 so I understand your frustration. The GP can refer him if he will go. I'm not sure if you can refer him directly to CTLD. If he has capacity it's so tricky. Hopefully someone on here might be able to advise you better. Good luck.

[Chocolate-heals-all]

Hi Deborah that sounds very hard. My son had a diagnosis at birth, so it was easier for us. If you have some old school reports regarding your son, that would serve as evidence to back up your assertion that he has what’s now termed a learning disability in the UK.

Is your son receiving any benefits? Would he be happy to appoint you as the person who fills in forms to get benefits such as PIP? (Personal independence payments - not means-tested) I think the word is “appointee”: I have that power for my son, I filled in the application on-line, with advice from our local Mencap. The money comes in to an account that I control.

Is there a family member in your son’s generation who would be happy to act as deputy for him? Or to whom he could give lasting power of attorney for financial matters and possibly for medical and care decisions? If he’s willing to give LPA - and understands the significance of that - then that saves you the hassle of trying to demonstrate to a court that he doesn’t have capacity even to make that decision.

You need to be a bit careful, because social services have the legal power to snatch control of his care and support if he’s deemed to lack capacity for making a given decision, unless he has already mpade an order himself to give lasting power of attorney to someone he trusts. And if the person he trusts is the person who is committing the financial abuse, then you probably need to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order. Mencap’s central office offers advice on that particular topic. Deputyship itself is a hassle, and really you might rather find someone else, trustworthy, who will do that work.

A diagnosis helps to access services, but in the UK the services (and benefits) generally depend on how the condition affects you and not on the clinical diagnosis. And it’s really hard to get to see the right clinician, these days. And your son might or might not agree to undergo a proper assessment. There’s still a stigma, and that does put people off seeking the support they need.

[Maurice_Mencap Partner]

Hello deborahcoxsuckle , sorry to hear about your situation. It's disappointing and not uncommon for someone who has a dual diagnosis to fall between teams when it comes to receiving support.

You mention financial abuse - if you have not already, please contact the safeguarding team at your local authority to raise a safeguarding alert. Your son has the right to live safely and if he is vulnerable then the safeguarding team should have a duty of care to investigate and act.

I would recommend contacting our Learning Disability Helpline as well to speak with our trained advisers as they may be able to suggest further options and places you can try for support. If you're based in England the Helpline is closed until the new year, but if you are based in Wales the helpline is open throughout the festive period. You can find more details about contacting the helpline here: mencap.org.uk/advice-and-su...