Applying for DLA for my toddler - autism

[Leabee1234]

Hi so my almost 2 year old son has been undergoing assessments and sessions for the last year for autism. He is currently under integrated early years service, speech and language therapy and audiology and still assessing when or if he needs paediatrician as it is ongoing.

My health visitor comes often and she said he was scoring high for autism. His nursery also noticed it that I have reports for
Aswell as IEYS going out to nursery to assess him.

My health visitor said I should apply for DLA and see what happens. I am a single solo mom and he turns two in just over a week

The form has just come through and it has frazled my mind!

My son is not completely non verbal but he doesn't undersrand anything or communicate
He has severe melt downs, repetitive behaviours and a lack of understanding. Doesn't interact with others and prefers to be alone.

His meltdowns are so bad where hes up for hours and hours screaming non stop and in the night where I cant calm him

I also have to try to restrain him (carefully) as he attacks me and when we are out he will run as fast as he can and melt down if he cant to point where im having to try to hold him.

I dont think he will be on the highest point of spectrum but he definitely has it.

I was surprised my HV told me to apply as didnt think but she advised me to and especially alone she said anything that can help you care for him

He also hasn't been diagnosed as he is undergoing alot of assessments and tests

Anyone else get awarded with some sort of DLA in my position? Just don't know where to start with the form!

Look up Cerebra’s guide to completing the form. They’re a charity and it’s an extremely helpful resource.

I would ask the nursery for help, they should know him very well and be able to help make a judgement. Our nursery helped me, went through the form, explained some things we weren’t sure of etc and it was a great help. They did advise to send it with recorded delivery so you have a record if it actually arriving there.

Wishing you luck, I’m on the same road atm and it can be daunting x

After everything youve explained you are an ideal candidate to claim DLA for your son- theres a guide to filling it out and i would get the nursery to give supporting information. i would add in all these things on the last few pages as supporting evidence as well Communication issues, Having to restrain him, meltdowns, dangeous eloping no sleep are all examples you can give within the form! Good luck

And be specific with your examples not vague may i add! Also my gov had a service where they help you fill out forms and review them for you? So maybe yours does too x

Also sorry to add, nursery added 3 terms of evidence, we also included the SLT report, a pediatrician report so add as much evidence as you can.

My DC was like that at 2 as well. Just to give you hope, we were refused DLA at 2, but did get it when she was older, I think about 4yo. I think under 3s is really hard to get because all under 3s need a lot of care so to prove it is that much more than normal care is really difficult. E.g. being up half the night settling an under 3 is within the realms of 'normal' even though as parents of autistic children we know this level of settling is well outside what parents of NT do on a regular basis.

Just apply. The form is daunting but you need and deserve support. Take your time, use specific examples to support your descriptions. Remember to think of him when his behaviour is at its worst.
If you’re unsuccessful try again later; it’ll likely be accepted once you have a formal diagnosis, if it isn’t first time round.

My DD was diagnosed at 7, but no one suggested applying for DLA to us until two years later. Wish I’d known!