Disability Living Allowance

[Nic91]

Hi.
I'm trying to fill in DLA form for my 7 week old who was diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

Can anyone give me any advice on what to include or how to fill in appropriately? There are so many questions and I'm already feeling overwhelmed with the situation as it is.

Thank you!

Who have you the form? Did they give you any guidance?

Is there a specialist nurse or anyone who is helping you through the diagnosis? They may be able to point you in the direction of a relevant charity to help you.

forms for children can be very tricky, the younger the child the trickier it often is to show exactly how they need more help than the average child their age.

Hi, if you call the National Deaf Childrens Society helpline they will guide you through the form 0808 800 8880.

Make sure to base your answers round the time you have to spend on your child's needs over and above what a hearing child would need - they base their decision on that, not on the additional cost of having a deaf child.

So for example things you have to spend time on (quantify these to suit yourself) 60 minutes of speech therapy daily. 45 minutes cleaning and caring for hearing aids and changing batteries. Time for therapy and audiology appointments. Your child needs additional support when it comes to washing and dressing because they can't hear instructions when they have their hearing aids out. Communication support will be a big one - they'll need heavy input to be able to socialise with friends, you won't be able to just leave them alone on a play date. You'll probably have to spend time learning to sign and teaching your child how to sign. They will need extra care and attention outside when they start to walk because they'll have trouble hearing traffic.

I could go on and on but my post would be as long as the form. Do speak to the NDCS they're an invaluable source of support.