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Adoption

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on adoption.

Original poster

Do you get DLA?

17 replies

TheTraumaClub · 15/04/2022 18:31

Also posted in the Special needs board but thought I would ask here too.

I'm an adoptive parent and my daughter has been through trauma. She has a speech disorder (diagnosed) and is on the waiting list to be assessed for autism/ADHD and dyspraxia. Has extra things in place in school and they share my concerns but no diagnosis and won't be one for ages.

My sister has suggested I apply for DLA but I'm not convinced? I know she has SEND. Life is a bit exhausting at the moment. It feels like one big slog. She can't get dressed alone, is anxious, can't concentrate, has meltdowns, is constantly needing to know what the plan is (I repeat multiple times). She is nearly 7. I just think I will fill this form in and be laughed at.

Do you get DLA when they aren't diagnosed? I'm feeling down today.

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 15/04/2022 18:33

She sounds like she would meet the criteria , dla is needs not condition based. You don’t need a diagnosis.

Original poster
TheTraumaClub · 15/04/2022 19:46

Thank you. If I got it I could enrol her in 1-2-1 activities instead!

OP posts:
Therapeutic70 · 15/04/2022 20:42

Our eldest had a diagnosis of developmental trauma. Adoption support worker filled in the form and we now receive DLA. You should absolutely apply - I think the rough criteria is that your child needs more support than most children of the same age. Feel free to pm me.

Patchyman1 · 15/04/2022 22:44

We get DLA for both of ours. Neither of them had a formal diagnosis whe we applied. They both do now and also have EHCP's. Remember to base your answers on a worse day for behaviour.

Ted27 · 15/04/2022 23:45

You absolutely should apply and I would think you will get it. You don’t need diagnosis but it sounds like you have lots of evidence anyway. Ask the school to provide a report setting out her difficulties.
DLA will look at how much care/support a child needs over and above that of the average child of their age.
DLA will also give access to other benefits - not sure how it works with Universal Credit, but I had significantly enhanced tax credits. You can also get free carer’s tickets for many activities which is a big help.

Therapeutic70 · 16/04/2022 11:18

If you phone and ask for the form to be sent out the funding will be back dated to the day you phoned.

Original poster
TheTraumaClub · 16/04/2022 11:53

Thank you all, this is great news. I've been trying to find private therapy myself etc and now it looks like she will need private swimming lessons and I just can't afford it! I was crying to my sister about how expensive it is trying to get the right help. I've phoned for the form to be posted - great tip!
It's such a learning curve. I'm going to phone post adoption support too. I think we have been rubbing along but recently it's just become so much more obvious how hard things are getting. I feel like I'm failing her because we can't afford all the solutions.

We have a second child who is likely to have some needs too so at least I won't make all the same mistakes again!!!

OP posts:
Ted27 · 16/04/2022 15:29

@TheTraumaClub

Do you work? If not you should also look into Carers's allowance

Patchyman1 · 16/04/2022 16:28

We get enhanced universal credit due to getting DLA. My husband no longer works as one of us always needs to be around even though the kids are at school. We get so many phonecalls from school, appointments etc and he gets carers element of universal credit. The DLA enables us to fund equine therapy which ASF doesn't cover.

Therapeutic70 · 16/04/2022 18:14

Yes, definitely look into adoption support fund. Ours had sensory therapy via this. And yes to carer’s allowance too if you aren’t working.

ifchocolatewerrcelery · 16/04/2022 19:00

Someone from adoption U.K. should be able to help you fill in the form and check it over for you. Even if you phone to request a form, I'd suggest downloading it to fill in if you can that way you can save it as DLA is often only awarded for a fixed time frame so there's a strong possibility you'll have to fill it in again when that runs out.

Jellycatspyjamas · 16/04/2022 20:01

I get DLA for my daughter, she had a catch all diagnosis at the time but the application was based on how much additional support she needs. If you google Cerebra they have a fantastic guide for applying specifically based on learning difficulties/developmental issues. It helped me explain the amount of support she needs just for basic daily activities - you need to complete it based on the worst day under every heading.

A word of warning, I needed to complete the form over a few sittings, it’s very hard to focus on your child’s deficits and it felt heavy going. Just remember this isn’t the whole of your child, just a part of them that you need to detail to get the support they need.

PicaK · 17/04/2022 08:42

That form is emotionally exhausting
Remember the following.
You need to think about the extra time you put in compared to what a "normal" child would require.
Think in terms of time/requirements all the time. That's what the assessors are adding up. So don't write eg adhd and expect the person looking at it to extrapolate for themselves what that means for your child. Hammer it home to them in actions and time.

Mine took 50 hours to do (including going to the library to photocopy it - you'll need it when you reapply)
If there's something you want to mention you don't have evidence for then get some.
Eg we had sessions with a psychologist early on but no record. I simply emailed her and said can you confirm we met on x y and z dates and discussed a b and c. She replied yes and I put that in.
I got a Dr appointment to discuss sleep - even tho I knew there was nothing they could do - so I had recent evidence if they rang.

anotherneutralname · 17/04/2022 19:16

To echo what others have said, try and get your SW / post adoption support worker to complete the supporting statement from a professional part (especially if your child is not currently under the care of medical specialists). It can help.

Complete the form as if it's your hardest day, and don't minimise any support you need to give at night.

Good luck. It's no easy to accept that your child qualifies (or at least I found it hard), but if it helps fund the support they need, it's worth it Thanks

SickySickSick · 20/04/2022 07:19

I am in the exact same position (in the process for same issues but not diagnosed) and I’ve applied. Just waiting to hear back, but when I completed the form he had a lot of the things they were looking for

Misspollyhadadolly92 · 19/07/2023 22:26

Hi, I'm an adoptive parent and just completed the form for Dla. Life has been hard for a long time and only discovered we could apply a few weeks ago.just wondering if you were awarded dla? My son is waiting for asd assessment and masking at school, massive meltdowns at home

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