Speech delay vs DLA

[WhatHappenedToSunday]

My daughter has Speech & Language Delay, and also Social, communication, interaction delay. Its quite significant.

AIBU to apply for DLA?
The form asks for nursery contact details, will they think I'm being OTT?
Is DLA needed for SEN funding?
Has anyone been awarded DLA for significant speech delay issues?
Dazed and confused by the whole process, aibu to even apply?

[BoogleMcGroogle]

My son has verbal dyspraxia and gets midfle rate care. You don't need it to access any education or health services. Ask your daughter's SALT to complete the professional part of the form. My son is in a specialist unit so we get lots of salt, but we use the money for weekly OT which has been invaluable.

[WhatHappenedToSunday]

Thank you Boogle.

I am finding this process quite a muddle.

SENCo emailed to say that SEN funding requires DLA award? Change in way it's given.
Finding clear info is tricky.
My daughter is non verbal with some, but limited process in 9 months.

Trying to get the correct strategies in place.
But i guess the reason i feel silly apllying for DLA is i was asked last week why we were in the specialist childrens group. The day before was asked a similar question. I understand, as she has no physical disability. Worried I look grabby! Iyswim

Very unlike me to question myself or worry what others think. The situation has almost wrong-footed me and made me cross question myself.

[Geneticsbunny]

How old is your daughter? DLA is dependent on how much additional care a child needs compared with peers of the same age. Sen funding at school is not dependent on dla but it can help as evidence that your child has a disability

[hattytheherald]

There are lots of different types of funding early years can apply for and there is one type of funding that is dependant on the child receiving DLA. In our county I would be expecting them to ask for discretionary funding for a child with speech delay and if there are 3 or 4 children in the nursery with speech delay there is also an inclusion grant. However that may be just in the county I'm in

[hattytheherald]

I agree that parents shouldn't need to know what is available as a good early years setting should apply, always with parents permission though.
Found the paperwork for it. Its called the disability access fund and is a one off payment per annum. Child has to be in receipt of dla and claiming free 15 hours entitlement. I think that the parent has to apply though on behalf of the setting. It can't be used for extra hours but can be for resources and 1:1.

[WhatHappenedToSunday]

This has been really helpful.
Thank you!
No one....in the nursery setting, no one in the childrens centre, no one in the specialist group we go to has ever mentioned disability access fund.
I asked for them to apply for SEN funding and whilst they are a really good setting, didnt seem keen as it's quite labourious paperwork but now saying more support is needed.
I feel like, by the time we get this sorted, it'll be the end of sumner term!

[WhatHappenedToSunday]

Your comments are appreciated, thank you

[WhatHappenedToSunday]

@geneticsbunny
How old is your daughter?......she's 3.5, significant delays diagnoses.
The difference between others of similar age is increasingly significant, requires extra assistance.

[hattytheherald]

I agree that the LA would be a good place to call and will be able to let you know what is available in your county. The Disability access fund may not be available but also may be called something different where you are.
Although the grant forms are laborious, its worth it for the funding for the child and I can't imagine your child is the first one they have applied for.

Good luck

[WhatHappenedToSunday]

@zzzzz

We have seen SALT, it's changed in this area for this year so new process. She's got a full referal now.

The nursery said she needs more support, rather than funding. But the two go hand in hand.

I guess I'm concerned about over egging it because compared to the serious physical disabilities, genetic syndromes, our situation isnt as bad. I know i shouldnt compare apples to oranges.
However, compared to her average age it is 2 significant developmental delays.
I never normal second guess myself and I'm a confident person, but this situation has thrown me tbh and I feel out if my depth and grabby regarding funding.

[WhatHappenedToSunday]

*compared to the parents and children with serious physical disabilities, genetic syndromes, that are in our specialist group we attend

[Geneticsbunny]

Sounds like you might want dla anyway. You can always save it in a separate account for your daughter and use it for extra things to help her like toys to bring on her development. We used some of my sons for private salt to give him a boost and I am so pleased that we did.

Plus getting an EHCP started before school is really important at the moment as local councils seem to be trying to restrict the numbers they grant so they are difficult and lengthy to get.

[WhatHappenedToSunday]

Thank you all for your comments

[woodwaj]

Just come across this thread and have had the dla page opened as a tab on my phone for months. I feel exactly the same as you and haven't even read the form properly!

My son is 3 in a couple of months and has only just started mirroring words (and all incorrectly!) He's apparently tracking at an 8 to 20 month age and has social difficulties. He's under speech and language and paediatrician. I'm also struggling with his nursery application! 😣

[WhatHappenedToSunday]

@woodwaj
With the exception of the age. You sound in an identical situation to me.

Senco asked me to complete the non stat EHCP. So i told her i would be doing DLA. No raised eyebrows lol
The forms not too tough. Im on Q20 of a million lol so happy to brainstorm on this thread if helpful! (We can do this!)
I read yesterday it takes 40days to process so will try get mine done soon.

I picked a 'good' nursery. The outstanding rated one i viewed was one tiny room and bit rubbish towards extra needs. Thats another story. My only advice would be read the ofsted reports. They mirrored exactly what I saw when visiting settings. So were a good place to start.

Good luck

[woodwaj]

Thanks Dazed. I might look at it tomorrow evening knowing I can badger you with questions! 😉I understand how you feel about applying. To any random person he looks like any other child.

I've viewed (lots of schools!) and fell in love with a school but it's very popular I'm confused with my 2nd and 3rd choices both religious schools but are asking if we are applying for religious reasons. If i choose no is it even worth listing them?! Might be over thinking it though

[coffeemachine]

Apply for DLA the form is quite detailed and they will decide if you are eligible.

it doesn't work like that. It really is a lottery at whose pen pusher's desk your application ends up and how much you are willing to contest a decision you are not happy with. I applied for DD (autism, speech delay and severe learning diffs) when she was 3.5 and was turned down (I added 30 typed pages explaining her extra care needs - you could not be more detailed). I asked for a reconsideration and was again turned down. I appealed and 9 months and a long battle after applying for DLA we got high rate care. I have a lot of friends who had similar experiences.

by any means apply, be detailed but be prepared for it to be turned down (esp as she is still young) and having to battle it out.

agree with PP, DLA has nothing to do with Sen funding.

[coffeemachine]

if you decide to go for DLA, then Google the. 'cerebra guide'. it will help you massively in completing the form. there is an art to doing a DLA form. don't do it alone or without this guide.

[WhatHappenedToSunday]

Wowzer!
Coffeemachine that is quite something!

I will check out the guide tho