Child DLA for Autism. Should I apply?

[BringingItOnMyOwn]

My child has a diagnosis of ASD (HFA). They don’t require much help in school other than some minor adjustments to help them stay focused.

At home, they need continual prompting to do basic tasks as they are so easily distracted, everything takes longer and they are often demand avoidant. Continual means every simple thing needs to be repeated.

They also wake at night and require support there too.

I only have their diagnosis report, they don’t receive any outside support but they are awaiting appointments for sleep services . Is it worth applying or is it likely to be refused?

Apply, there are association to help you to do this depending where you are, good luck with all, I know you say your child doesn’t require much help, but this is because this is your normal, I only notice when I spend a lot of time with friends with neuritypical children, how different it is and how much more I do

Apply.

It's worth applying, worst case scenario they say no. I half heartedly applied when my son was 2.5years old not expecting anything, as let's face it all toddlers require a lot of care! I was shocked when it came back as middle rate care and that money really helps for the "extra" costs associated with having an autistic child- for us it largely goes on one to one swimming lessons and the rest in his savings

Yes apply. You can get it without a diagnosis too as it's based on needs. I get middle rate care DLA and also Carers Allowance for my daughter who has mild learning difficulties and is on the pathway, hopefully awaiting an autism diagnosis.

I will apply Does anyone know how long applications take at the moment?

Yes my son got awarded without a diagnosis and only one report from a paediatrician, he doesn’t have any help in school either but we got MRC LRM

Apply.

The waking at night will be a big factor in your favour.
There may be things that you're not thinking about too... does your DC need/demand, for example: certain types of clothes, lots of soap, art materials, certain crockery, lots of toilet roll, or anything more or different to a NT child?
These things COST and you may well be absorbing extra expense without giving it much thought. DLA is to help with the cost of raising a disabled child.

Definitely apply - some organisations use DLA as their acceptance criteria for various services (which I don't exactly agree with as it's a bit of blunt stick, but still...) A DLA letter can also help you with things like fast passes and queue jumping, it really can be a gateway to other help other than financial.

I would absolutely recommend getting some help to fill it in, especially if it's your only/eldest child - because a lot of things you think of as 'normal' probably count as 'extra care' and it's harder to see that if you've nothing to compare it to. Also it's quite upsetting as you have to concentrate on deficits rather than strengths, so having an advocate helps with the emotional side too.

It goes off care needs ,I would apply ,but spend some time gathering evidence regarding the sleeping issues ,it will make your case stronger

I'd apply. I have a child who sounds similar, but who also requires some support at school. She was awarded. I only got the first money on Friday, no letter yet with the details. It took just shy of 10 weeks from them receiving th forms back.

I think it's cerebra that provide guidance

Use the cerebra dla guide to help

Just to add, however long it takes, the money is backdated to the time they received your application

Apply, I applied for my son and got awarded. He hasn't had his diagnosis yet but needs lots of extra care due to mental health and sensory issues. I spoke to citizens advice and our family support worker and they were really helpful.

I have applied thank you all. I know it will be a long wait but I hope I hear something after the new year.

In my experience it's very easy to get.

@Babyroobs

In my experience it's very easy to get.

I disagree...it's a crap form only surpassed by the PIP one.

I always tell people to get support with the form.

We applied and got it. DS has ASD. We also got an EHCP.

The way it is assessed is how much help they need more than a typically developing child of their age - for instance it's normal to have to remind primary aged children or help them pack their school bag, it's not normal to have to micromanage a secondary aged child, it's normal for a 6 year old to have some accidents and need help with personal hygiene, it's not normal for a 10 year old to need that kind of help. Even if you don't qualify this year you might in the future, dd was 10 before her needs were sufficiently out of step with a typically developing child. You will need a report from their gp or specialist and their therapist or teacher explaining their needs with reference to whether it's higher than normal

whisky - I'll rephrase my comment. If the form is completed correctly and correct medical evidence sent with the form, I think it is pretty easy to get an award compared to other benefits like PIP.

@Babyroobs

whisky - I'll rephrase my comment. If the form is completed correctly and correct medical evidence sent with the form, I think it is pretty easy to get an award compared to other benefits like PIP.

Not from my experience. I had to go through MR twice for DLA for my ASD daughter, and was then only awarded for a year, then two years. Pip was awarded for 3 years, first time of trying.

Pip was phone assessed. DLA wasn't. Maybe I'm just crap at filling in forms.

I sent the forms off for DLA for my dd last week. Do they tell you if they have received it?

I think if you request paper forms they backdate any award to when you asked for the fonts. It takes ages to complete. You can practice on the online version.