To ask for advice on using child's DLA?

[kerrypn]

DS receives HRC and LRM (ASD, new diagnosis), Im feeling really overwhelmed and whilst I am sure there are a million and one things I already spend the equivalent amount of money on (replacement clothes, shoes, laptop, taxi fares for appointments etc etc!) I feel weird about it, probably as he is nearly 9 and we have only just got diagnosis and dla, im really grateful for it and want to use it for DS-what do other parents use DLA for that improves life for their LO? Could I use a little bit to make Ds's siblings lives a bit better too (they miss out a lot as DS needs constant supervision) sorry if it sounds stupid, im just feeling overwhelmed with it all

www.sensorydirect.com/sense.html

This website is good for sensory things.

My Ds is now 18 but we have received DLA (middle care and low mobility) since his diagnosis of ASD at the age of 9. He is high-functioning, bright but scatty and disorganised with a very poor sense of time and sequencing. He's leaving school this year and hoping to go University.

I used the DLA to help make up the family income due to the fact that I couldn't work full-time as he didn't cope well in any form of organised childcare. We did try after-school clubs and a childminder but he hated it and couldn't control his anxiety. The career I was qualified in wouldn't allow for me only working school hours so I had to give that up and find lesser-paid part-time work that allowed me be there at the school opening and closing times and during the school holidays.

He still gets DLA, even though he's well-educated he still isn't as independent as he would be without ASD. I still have to prompt him for many activities of daily living and he refuses to travel alone or talk to strangers, in fact he still won't have conversations or approach teachers he's known for years. I haven't increased my work hours so I can be around, and I probably won't for the foreseeable future. The DLA allows our family to maintain the standard of living we had planned for before we had children.

Kerry honestly, you did not offend me at all. You sound a lovely person and I wish you well with meeting the needs of your DS. I suppose I am still smarting from a previous thread where someone attacked disability benefits without any idea of what our lives are like. DLA can make such a difference to our children's lives but it does not meet all the many needs that come with disability. It's just that I saw this post was in AIBU and wanted to inform the wider readership which would include people who do not have children with a disability. Your comment about wanting to help your other children because your DS needs constant supervision has also struck a chord with me. I tried my best over the years but my DD has definitely been affected because my son needed hands on full on attention and she was always on the sidelines. You can only do your best Kerry.