change & transformation

likely it hasn’t escaped your attention that there are upcoming welfare benefit reforms. initially this will be focussed on universal credit, with PIP reforms having been shelved. however these are to be reviewed again in 2026.  

 

there has been rhetoric around reducing the number of people getting these benefits who have neurodivergent conditions, anxiety and depression. even though it has always been the case that welfare disability benefits are not awarded on the health condition itself but on how the condition affects a person. 

 

there is also unhelpful commentary along the lines of “everyone's getting diagnosed with ADHD these days”, “everyone is a little bit autistic” and for those late diagnosed “well you’ve coped in life so far”.

 

these statements are not only untrue but are deeply damaging and dismissive narratives. given that neurodivergent brains are wired differently from neurotypical brains. and late diagnosed people have higher rates of psychiatric conditions and suicide.

 

financial support in the form of welfare benefits is to address the disparity and extra costs that people disabled by society face. there is also a focus on productivity which is defined by working. leaving the impression that a person's value is equal to output, which is demoralising if someone can’t hit the 35 hours a week or more marker. 

 

even outside of the sphere of disability this view is pervasive, with the exception of those in social classes where not working brings kudos as an indicator of wealth. 

 

the premise of the reforms is that ‘helping’ people into work will boost self-esteem. this does not take into account that applying for disability welfare benefits is not a lifestyle choice nor a straightforward process. at worse it can be re-traumatising and at best damaging to the psyche to talk about oneself in a negative way to outline difficulties experienced. 

 

this is compounded by DWP health professionals not having the appropriate experience to assess health conditions that they are presented with, leading to producing reports that contain inaccuracies.

 

and although a DWP decision maker is meant to look at all supporting evidence, often their determinations are generated by lifting text directly from the health professionals report. ultimately failing to apply DWP guidance and legal principle.

 

which is why there are low success rates on initial application and high rates of decisions being overturned in the claimants favour at independent appeal. 

 

even when in receipt of a positive determination there can be a sense of stigma attached to needing financial support. and in the majority of cases there are periodic reviews to be undertaken and a feeling of having to justify the need for support.

 

a culture shift is needed. as people of varying abilities can bring valuable contributions to society that are not linked to the daily grind or their bank balance. 

 

little consideration seems to have been given that the existing provision to support people into work is inadequate. the current timeline for an access to work application to be processed is nine months.

 

and in relation to autism the rates of people in work has remained at 30% since the launch of the fulfilling and rewarding lives autism strategy in 2010.  

 

plus neurodiversity and inclusion policies within the workplace are often not fit for purpose. and in some cases they can be a performative exercise. as when reasonable adjustments are required there is a lack of understanding about legal obligations and support that can be provided. 

 

many of the neurodiversity courses being delivered to raise awareness and inform those in positions of authority are limited in scope, perpetuate stereotypes, use outdated terminology and do not reflect current research or incorporate the lived experience of neurodivergent people. 

 

hence the seed of WBNIA, the blueprint of which is:

 

• to support neurodivergent people to get the welfare benefit financial support for PIP that they are eligible for. by providing assistance to accurately convey health difficulties. in line with criteria and outlining what evidence is required to submit with an application. 

• the application process will be undertaken with benefit advisors who are themselves neurodivergent, have lived experience or the appropiate knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions and associated co-occuring health conditions.

• this will be a paid for service to ensure longevity of the provision and that it is delivered in the best interest of the person that is being supported. owing to funding being competitive and at times there can be constraints due to stipulations attached to monies provided. 

• there will be three price points for the initial PIP application to make the service as accessible as possible and provide a fair rate of pay to the advisors.  

 

• to support employees and employers to have a more robust understanding of how different ways of thinking and doing things and working flexibly can get optimal results plus tap into unknown potential.

• these free resources for both employees and employers will be financed by donations and grants applications.

 

• provide a holistic experience beyond financial and employment support by offering wellbeing resources. 

• we also hope to change perspectives of the narrow definitions of what are considered as wellbeing practices and support. to help people identify what is aligned to them as a person, brings them joy and helps them to flourish. these provisions will be financed by donations and grants applications.

 

• create an inclusive neurodiverse community to build knowledge, understanding and celebrate what it is to be human - less conformity and more individual expression. no jigsaw piece is the same but they come together as a whole.  

 

a seed needs a lot of things to facilitate it to crack open, spring roots and grow. it needs embedding in soil, sun, water, time and nurturing.

 

so stick around whilst we implement things over time and engage with WBNIA in a way that feels right for you. even if that is as simple as forwarding the weblink to someone else. 

 

“we but mirror the world. all the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body.

 

if we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. as a person changes their own nature, so does the attitude of the world towards them. 

 

this is the divine mystery supreme.

a wonderful thing it is and a source of our happiness.

we need not wait to see what others do”

 

- mahatma gandhi

 

(often paraphrased as ‘be the change you want to see in the world’)

 

*italics own words to be gender neutral