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someusefulinfothatifound · 6 years

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Tips on trick questions you will be asked at the ATOS medical or Tribunal

(taken from fightback facebook page)

March 20, 2013 at 7:11 PM

Forewarned is forearmed.. some tips on questions you will be asked at the ATOS medical or Tribunal the reason behind each question is to establish what you can do, basically the examiner or doctor in the tribunal will make assumptions based on your answers, these are often wrong assumptions, but knowing what you are being asked before hand may help you pass the medical first time, and as the appeal rate is going to be delayed for new claimants shortly its best to get it right first time. What I am saying is that you answer truthfully but you ensure you give the WHOLE picture,this example is from a conversation with a client just this week and is the truth, Medical Examiner: "Q your hair looks nice, do you visit the hairdressers regularly? Ans, yes but I have to go home with it wet or with dye still on most times and cannot sit in the chair long enough. Q You said in your questionnaire you like to go to the woods is this correct? A Yes the woods are 50 yards from my house, I struggle to get their but force myself every week to get there, otherwise I would be so depressed staying in the house because of my condition, I sit just at the entrance and rest listening to the birds for a short while then return, the rest of the day I will be shattered because I have over exerted myself but it is worth it to keep me sane. These are the answers that don't get given as often people are scared, or nervous. we are merely alerting people to the fact that these questions will be asked almost every time in a tribunal or a medical and to think about what they truthfully would answer outside the box, rather just a straight one line answer that will make the judge or examiner come to the assumption that is most often incorrect So here are a list of questions they will most likely ask you and why.

Are you going away or have you been away this year, A yes, they will assume you can get about, mobilise, etc, if you have then you Need to tell them exactly what you did, ie if you haven't had a holiday in years and your family went to help out, if you struggled with mobility whilst there, etc etc

Do you have a dog? they will ASSUME that because you have a dog, you can take it for exercise, ie walk, they will assume you can open cans of food, and bend down to feed him, and they will assume that you can get up quite quickly in order to take him out when he wants to go..

Do you have a washing machine? Yes: they ASSUME that having a washing machine means you can follow complicated instructions, and know the chronological order that the washing cycle takes. They will also maybe assume you can remember this.

Do you have a car? They assume if you drive, even if you do not drive often, that you can follow directions/maps complicated instructions and sit for long periods of time, whilst multitasking and going to unfamiliar places. They will also assume that you are safe to go out alone. And get yourself in and out of the car ok, so bang goes the care needs in some cases.

Do you visit the hairdressers? Yes, they will assume you get a] get there ok, b] sit still long enough to have a perm, colour etc c] socialise with strangers whom you have never met ie customers, d] leave after sitting for so long, and not have any problems with your return journey.

Do you have a mobile phone? They assume the mobile phone user does not have trouble speaking to unfamiliar people or strangers or have trouble communicating. They will assume you can follow complex instructions, and operate it easily, if you cannot do so and it was bought as a gift for relatives to keep a check on you then say so! Do you watch TV? If yes, they may ask do you like Eastenders etc, Eastenders watchers are ASSUMED to follow complex storylines, without forgetting the order they follow (ie if you have indicated you cant cook as you forget the order of things, this contradicts this according to ATOS.)

Do you have any pets? If you have other pets ie a lizard or rabbit, cat etc, they need cleaning and looking after so they will ASSUME you can lift, bend, carry, open cans to feed etc and do this depending on the pet on a regular basis despite how you feel. Did you travel by bus? The public transport question shows you are not afraid of going to places where there are crowds, or unfamiliar places, even if you had no choice, it also shows you can relatively high step onto a bus, (if you indicated probs with steps be careful with this question)

Did you come by Taxi, watch for the questions on how you got to the medical, if the taxi driver was unfamiliar, then it contradicts your question on being socially phobic, and shows you can give instructions and communication with strangers. It contradicts anxiety in public as it shows you can get into a strangers car ok. If you had no choice or if you use a regular taxi firm and driver say so to counteract this assumption. Its idiotic I know but these questions will also be used in a tribunal as well.

Did you come here alone? This is a crucial question, it shows them that you can get to somewhere unfamiliar alone. Despite the fact you may have had no choice. If you came with someone and left them in the waiting room, this shows that you were ok for some of it alone, and have not got the anxiety problems or trouble being left alone.. ITs catch 22 for many but these questions are designed to trick you and by asking them it gives the questioning body a whole range of answers that can be completely misconceived. They also watch you in the waiting room in many cases so if you are sat comfortably for 30 mins there and show no signs of anxiety outwardly then they are likely to verify this with one of the questions above.

Does the mental condition preventing you from doing leisure activities you previously enjoyed?

The ‘Doctor’ is trying to trip you up again. If you say you are suffering from depression and yet still follow your local football team then this proves you are not depressed. If you say you sometimes get to the allotment to see to your pigeons, then you are fit enough to travel to work. These questions are geared to prove everything you have entered on your IB50 form is false and can be medically debunked by your own answer.

Has agitation, confusion or forgetfulness resulted in any dangerous incidents in the last few months?

From your answer the Doctor will deduce that you have not had any ‘serious’ accidents lately including slips, trips or falls?

You can use a computer? deal with you finances, correspondence, can read and write, do your own shopping? They are again assuming you have an excellent memory, your coordination and orientation are normal and you were not confused, agitated or forgetful during the ‘examination’?

Does you frequently feel scared or panicky for no obvious reason?

Unless you actually have a panic attack during your ‘examination’ the examiber is at liberty to assume you do not have panic attacks.The usual comment is; Does not experience panic attacks, Appeared relaxed, Not anxious on examination is entered on the medical usually in most cases..

Are you able to cope with changes in daily routine?

This is answered from the questions above. Had an appropriate level of concern because of coming here today, normal concentration on examination, not anxious on examination, does not suffer panic attacks and oddly, has a mobile phone, which you use for texting, chatting, making arrangements and for emergencies.

Interaction with other people Can you look after yourself without help from others?

Beware?You have already been asked this question above from this question your examiner will deduce that you have a mobile phone and use it for texting, chatting, making arrangements and emergencies, can deal with your own finances and correspondence without difficulty, can use a computer and have normal intellectual functioning?

Facts about your ATOS medical,and HOW they assess you before you get into the room. READ THIS if you are going for a medical anytime soon. RECEPTIONIST: When you first get to reception you will be asked for your letter, and details and if you want to claim expenses, this is all part of the game and is an assessment of your ability to follow instructions, read, write and to see how long they can keep you standing there. Plus if you claim parking expenses they assume you were able to walk to their office from whichever car park your ticket comes from. Staff will report your performance to the Doctor. WALKING TO ROOM: When you are taken from the waiting room the assessor will generally walk behind you, so she can assess your walk and how you manage the usual cleverly placed heavy door to the examination room. (They wont hold the door for you deliberately) In fact get whoever is with you to open all doors as you are being assessed on all or most of them. Atos healthcare will observe what you are carrying so ensure any bag is given to a friend. DISTANCE: The rooms are also placed around 10 mtrs from the seating area, so she examines your gait as you walk and times you. WAITING ROOM: Depending on the centre some of the seats purposely have arms to see if you can use them when getting up.The seats provided in the waiting area in some centres are low and uncomfortable to sit on, they have no arms and you are forced to twist to your left or right to get any support by using the back of the chair as you sit or when rising from them. Don't forget if you can't sit for long you don't have to stay glued to the chair as many do in agony, move around big brother is watching you ;-] CAMERAS: You may notice strange black boxes around the room, these are the "security" cameras. Different assessments centres may have different kinds, but you can watch for these black boxes at the entrance to the building and usually any car park provided. ENTRY PHONES: In some centres you have to pick up a phone to security, these are strategically placed low to assess your bending, not to mention your grip. STEPS TO BUILDING: In birmingham and other centres there are 2 steps outside with cameras watching how you negotiate them. Remember this is one of the descriptors. Magazines: Watch for these as many waiting rooms will place interesting looking mags on high racks to encourage you to reach up... These tips are not designed to assist people who are not genuinely disabled, they are there to inform people that there are certain things that ATOS staff will stoop to that make wrong assumptions based on a one off action, under pressure. The fact that someone can step up one step or two does not mean that he can do it repeatedly and safely which is the test for this descriptor..

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