“…in last few months. No intention. GP is not aware. HP has tried multiple times to try and contact GP but unsuccessful. UE1 form has been filed in and sent to GP practice.”
“…there was evidence before the FtT that the claimant finds engaging with other people face-to-face difficult due to cognitive difficulties relating to his ASD and Aspergers syndrome. I note that the HP records in the consultation report dated02/08/2023 [p.57] following a telephone assessment with the claimant that he reports that “…he finds it hard to engage because of his Asperger’s – would avoid eye contact.”
“He does not go out to socialise as a result of his conditions which stops him wanting to mix with others. He has difficulty engaging with others.” [p.82] The HP records the following observations of the claimant during the face to face examination: “…long pauses between communication…Information was extremely difficult to obtain…He had difficulty engaging…withdrawn…reduced facial expression. Some difficulty coping at interview…Poor rapport…Poor eye contact…Needed prompting.” [p.84] 4.15 It is noteworthy, that there appears to be no evidence within the appeal bundle before the FtT that would indicate there has been any improvement in the claimant’s ability to engage with other people face-to-face since 2017. It is notable that the consultation report02/08/2023 recording the claimant’s evidence appears to suggest that he is leaving home and engaging other people to a minimal extent and certainly not on majority of days. In light of this evidence … should not the FtT have used their inquisitorial duty to determine whether on the majority of days the claimant may experience overwhelming psychological distress whilst engaging with other people face-to-face?” “He does not go out to socialise as a result of his conditions which stops him wanting to mix with others. He has difficulty engaging with others.” [p.82] “…long pauses between communication…Information was extremely difficult to obtain…He had difficulty engaging…withdrawn…reduced facial expression. Some difficulty coping at interview…Poor rapport…Poor eye contact…Needed prompting.” [p.84] d. The Tribunal also stated in connection with daily living activity 1 and mobility activity 1 that he did not have any problems with cognition, memory or concentration. In each case, the Tribunal bases this assessment on the absence of specific medical evidence to that effect, but that is not by itself a sufficient basis for rejecting the appellant’s own evidence of difficulties in these respects. In the PIP2 questionnaire form dated01/05/2023 [pp.6-52] the claimant reports that his hyperacusis makes cooking food difficult as he tries to avoid making any noise and that “Occasionally, I leave things cooking and they burn.” [p.15]. The claimant also reports at p.51 problems with his: “…working memory, time management, and sleep hygiene. For example, I have occasionally left gas hobs running until alerted by a smoke alarms and I have left doors unlooked, in spite of trying to implement strategies that avoid doing those things.”
“It is noteworthy that the FtT in reaching this conclusion has failed to address or comment upon the claimant’s evidence at pp.51 and 55 where he reports having a poor working memory and difficulties with time management due to his ASD or the Planned Care Assessment Summary dated31/03/2016 [pp.105-108] in which the claimant was diagnosed with ASD and also with a differential diagnosis of Schizotypal Personality Disorder and Simple Schizophrenia.”