PIP for autism

Is there a PIP conditions list for autism?

There's no official list of conditions that qualify for PIP, and autism isn't scored just because of the diagnosis. PIP looks at how your condition affects your daily living and getting around, not what it's called. See our guide to the PIP conditions list for more on this.

How autism can affect the 12 activities

Autism doesn't affect everyone the same way. These are some of the activities it commonly affects.

• Mixing with other people — autistic people can find unwritten social rules, small talk or busy places overwhelming, even when they want to take part. "I avoid family gatherings because I can't cope with the noise and not knowing what to say." See mixing with people.
• Communicating — some autistic people find it hard to follow spoken instructions or explain themselves clearly, especially under pressure. "I need things written down, because I lose track of what people are saying to me on the phone." See communicating.
• Planning and following journeys — changes to a route or unexpected delays can cause real distress. "I can only travel a route I've done many times before, or I have to turn back." See planning and following journeys.
• Washing and bathing — sensory sensitivity, such as to water or textures, can make this harder than it looks. "I find the feeling of water on my skin so unpleasant that I put off showering for days." See washing and bathing.
• Preparing food — planning the steps, or coping with the smell and texture of food, can be hard. "I eat the same few meals because trying anything new is too much to plan." See preparing food.

What 'reliably' means for autism

PIP only counts what you can do safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and in a reasonable time - no more than twice as long as someone without your condition. For autism, this can mean needing a familiar routine to manage a task safely, or needing much longer because of anxiety about doing something new or unexpected. Say what actually happens, not just what you can manage on your best day.

Good days and bad days

PIP looks at what's true on more than half of days over a year. For autism this can mean days of sensory overload or exhaustion after being around people, on top of a typical day. Describe a typical day and a bad day, and how often bad days happen. Keeping a diary for a couple of weeks can help you see the pattern.

What evidence helps

Useful evidence includes letters from your GP, a psychiatrist or an autism team, a care plan, a list of your prescriptions, or a statement from a support worker, carer or family member who sees how autism affects you. A short diary of a typical week can help too. Send copies, not originals. See what to send with your PIP form.

What people often leave out

People with autism often describe what they can do with the right routine, not what happens without it. It helps to mention any prompting you need, how long tasks take, how you feel afterwards, and what happens on days when your routine or support isn't there.

Common questions