DLA for autism

[Dkbennett]

I have filled in the forms for DLA for my daughters autism. They have rejected it and I need to now fill out the appeal form. Has anyone received DLA for a child with autism, any help appreciated

Yes, we get the middle rate. Tbh I think what swung it was the fact that DS wakes up so much overnight, we rarely get more than 2 to 3 hours' sleep at a time. Did you submit reports from school and paediatrician etc?

Did you use the cerebra guide to help you with the form?

A diagnosis in itself doesn't mean your dc will qualify for DLA. You need to describe their needs in detail and the impact of these. Citizens advice may be able to help.

Yes DD gets DLA for autism. We've just applied for PIP because she's 16 now.

Your application needs to show that your DD needs more care than other children her age.

Yes and I was awarded renewal 3 times for my son with only one letter that is 6 years old I've used the same letter every time always get awarded 🤷‍♀️ also get it for another child and have renewed 3 times never been declined, one gets hrc one Mrc both get lrm.

You need to absolutely spell out what help your child needs and why...and compare it to a neurotypical child.
For example don't just tick 'needs help at night' write WHY... gets up repeatedly? Likely to burn the house down?
Needs help with eating... limited diet, won't eat (or alternately will steal food) needs constant supervision to eat, etc.
I've been doing DLA forms then PIP for nearly 25 years now for my son, and the key has been to be very very specific, and repetitive. I don't write 'needs help to prepare food' but rather X needs full support to prepare a meal because a) he is uninterested due to his autism b) he's scared of hot things so is unable to use an oven or hob independently c) has dyspraxia and needs full supervision to attempt to cut a vegetable or a slice of cheese. He is unable to prepare any cooked meal for himself. I am very specific and repetitive and it shows clearly that while he can talk the hind leg off a donkey these days, he cannot do many of the things a typical adult man can.
The Cerebra guide is great!

What gets me mad about this DLA getting correct award I'm sick of being given the wrong award but when she claims pip when16 I know she would be accepted for high rate just been diagnosed with autism and selective mutism and high anxiety sensory disorder but she is high functioning my daughters needs are so severe I care day and night looking for carers for night and she when goes out very rare as fits not epilepsy ones I mean distress can come anytime when not expecting it and she can refuse to walk gets violent with me kicking and punching in public I have to sit on her she so strong I'm in tears as I'm covered in bruises and can stand wet herself has panic attacks feels sick shaking passing out feeling and she won't move off that spot for long time last was 45 mins she is 5 foot 6 11 stone and I'm small I have to carry her to car then when in car she crying then calms down and drive home she has pulled my hair when was driving had to make her seat in back away from me night then care can be all night as won't settle she says see a old man in her room then she starts smashing her room up midnight and DLA have awarded me middle rate care low mobility I have not got in me to fight anymore as I'm a single parent care day and night she is selective mute only talks to me she has a brother aged 26 never said a word to him ever it's so severe I can see In her she is devastated she carnt connect out government should be ashamed of themselves the way DLA is awarded and assessed the pip for adults millions getting mobility cars for feeling low mood and don't want to go outside it's disgraceful when our children really need this whatever it is car or money for there need's the adult pip claims they don't need any care day or night I mean day and night care can be 24 hour job for us parents and shame on you government that parents like me have to constantly fight why would be fight a claim if our children were not deserving of it I carnt go to work get a Job I carnt claim carers allowance as had to claim universal credit you take that off me the whole amount of claimed carers allowance I'm on low money from. Universal credit and my daughter low DLA is all spent on her every month come on this has to change also we can't win anything we do as I acrjt get a job to be able to live and eat and keep warm I have to suffer freezing hungry most times and worry about all my bills alone single parent don't get any child maintenance as your service of child maintenance I've used them to get them to get the money off my ex and they were on his side I've received nothing in 13 years so closed my claim with them sorry there are useless it's all a farce that government can promote this service were most I've read are same boat as me received no money at all they don't take any action on parents failing to pay sorry going on but I'm at the end of my tether

Yes we get the middle rate and lower rate mobility. It depends how much care your child needs compared to another child the same age, it’s not the diagnosis in itself that they are looking at. Use the cerebra guide and provide as much supporting evidence as you can.