DLA: querie about night time care

[magso]

I am (still) filling out our first DLA form for Ds!! I am hoping for middle rate but probably we are entitled to high rate. Ds is nearly 9, has moderate-severeLD ADHD+ASD and needs constant high level supervision. By that I mean it is not really possible to do much else like cook dinner or answer the telephone even use the loo! He has however made a lot of progress in the last 12 months especially with language and attention (special school has helped a lot!) and life is less stressful and more nt IYKWIM! He still runs but sometimes hears the strangled 'CARS!'/ STOP! as I frantically run too. He waits for his chaser now! I have learnt all the tricks to safe parking locally and frankly we dont need a blue now. Night time care is improving and I now get a short full nights sleep about half the time. (DS is a multiple night wetter, but medication has reduced the number of nighttime clear ups and lost sleep for all, with knock on effect in the last month.) Ds still wakes early and once awake he is full on! Everything in our house is nailed down or otherwise modified, but ds needs supervision once awake.
My question really is -as we are going through a verymuch better patch at the moment should I still spell out the nighttime care perhaps based on last month before the medication started to help? Does anyone know if desmopressing wears off? I feel awkward about the night care element (there are far needier kids)- but if the good patch is tempory to not mention it may mean not getting anything -Oh I hope you can see my dilema! Thanks for advise in advance.

[catweazle]

Advice is also to use the worst possible day/ night. If you give any indication he's getting better they will cut your DLA.

I used to feel guilty about claiming (on the grounds that other people were far worse off
) but you need to compare your Ds to an NT child of the same age. You wouldn't be having to supervise a "normal" 9 year old in the way you have to- that sort of thing.

Have you found the help sheets online?

[2shoes]

go with thw worse night you have, I was annoyed when I got the middle rate for dd and found it was because she sleeps. so was a lot more truthful and got the higher rate.

[LadyMuck]

I would go with how you would brief a relative if they were looking after him overnight - what could they expect to happen, and how frequently. You would have to assume the worst in order to brief them.

Do not get into the "there are others worse off" loop. If they are worse off, then they are also entitled to the help. This is an important social benefit for those who have more on their plate that would be expected.

Bear in mind that the asssessor will read the form first before deciding whether to read any supporting documents or ask for any suport. You may find yourself repeating the same thing over and over again but this is the strategy that is most likeoly to be successful. I would also recommened that you write "Due to X's LD/ADHD/ASD, he" througout to keep on emphasising the reason for the claim.

[magso]

Thanks! My gut feeling is that I should claim on our typical day and night - based on the last 6/12 ( up half the night). I keep hoping that this better patch is to stay - frankly I'm getting soft and used to sleep!!

[LadyMuck]

If you are up half the night then you need to spell out how much care is given at each waking. They seem to ignore short bursts of care, but if you are changing beds etc then you should allow a reasonable amount of time.

[twocutedarlings]

Magso, I used the Cerebra DLA guide to help me fill out DDs form, it was a god send.

Cerebra DLA Guide

[Raine3]

I don't think I should tell you what I think of the DWP but I do think you should put down worst case scenario (not sure how to spell that) good luck x