To apply for a blue badge for ds9

[bbquestion]

Is he even eligible??
He is diagnosed autistic and having his adhd assessment next month. He can walk fine. No mobility issues. The problem is his ability to remain focused, he has nearly got run over a couple of times because he forgets to look before crossing the road, we have to be his eyes, no matter how many times we have taught him to stop look and listen it just doesn't sink in!!
He runs around, Randomly falls over because he's tripped up something when running around, I've had to grab him so many times or shout STOP, he's just basically in his own little world and I just know one day I'm going to slip, be distracted by the two babies and somethings going to happen to him in the road. I think he should be able to have a blue badge, anything to keep him away from the cars basically. He gets dla but low rate mobility, does that mean he isn't eligible?
Aibu to just apply ?

Nothing to stop you applying - he won't be automatically eligible as only low rate mobility so will be an assessment to determine if he meets the criteria. The assessment will be focussed on his needs and wouldn't take into account the fact you have other young children to supervise.
For context, my 8 year old grandson has had a blue badge for 18 months. Receives DLA high care/low mobility due to autism and global developmental delay (functioning at between 18months & 3), he is non verbal and attends a special school.

No application is guaranteed but you won't know until you apply. Any application will need plenty of supporting evidence, as that'll be the first line of refusal if there isn't enough to make an assessment.

I would apply and give all your reasons why it would help. If your council think your case is compelling they'll approve. My DS13 has one fOr similar reasons. Its been a massive help and some days its needed more than others so on the easier days we use sparingly.

When applying for a Blue Badge the important thing is to have documents which show the difficulty you are trying to explain. A letter with an autism diagnoses wouldn't necessarily help, but if you have anything like a care plan which talks about focus, concentration, lack of understanding of danger, that would be a useful start in applying. Alternatively you may be able to get a letter from your GP with that sort of information (though that will likely cost money).

You can apply and see what happens.

My ds whos 7 gets one for ADHD. I just had to upload his diagnosis letter and that we were in receipt of DLA and he was given one.

it was £15 for 3 years.

it depends on your council as to how hard it is to get one, some councils give them for a massive variety of conditions, others they make you jump through hoops for one.

Thanks everyone. Ds has an ehcp which outlines his "strong urge to move" and his erratic body movements, it also states how hard he finds focusing etc, would this help? He did have an ot assessment but that was for his fine motor skills so I doubt that would be useful.

Also what does the assessment involve ?

I remember years ago when my mum took my sister to her PIP review (she is autistic with LD) they wanted to get her to go on a bus all on her own. See if she could cross the road, use money etc, it was just ridiculous and down right dangerous what they were suggesting

You can certainly apply but I’m struggling to think how it would actually help. Disabled parking spaces are usually in car parks and on roads, just like other spaces. He’s still going to be able to run off into traffic, isn’t he?

He's a danger anywhere around cars that are moving

@bridgetreilly blue badge spaces are usually closer to the shop etc so don’t have to negotiate much traffic when walking to your destination

And there's more space so a distracted child flinging a door open or fighting not to get in the car isn't such a heart stopping moment!

If you get even standard mobility of PIP you auto qualify, and needing to be supervised at all times because of a mrntal health conditions qualifies.

Definitely apply OP.

He's 9 so doesn't get pip

Sounds really similar to my 10yo with ASD. We were granted a blue badge

I got one for our DS he has poor mobility but classed as 'lower' for PIP. He also has autism. I had to apply providing more detail (I gave them lots of detail). I focused on his safety, also other people's safety (he can run into the road). True parking spaces are in car parks but it does enable you to park nearer to shops. Also for us the hospital with spaces near the entrance. Our council are very reluctant to give out badges but we were successful. Last time I applied it was the same process with an added phone call.

I have a physical disability and have a blue badge for myself. I also have a child who is on the pathway to be diagnosed with autism and adhd. Definitely apply. Your child sounds so similar to mine, and I know how terrifying it can be. No danger or space awareness, a tendency to just run. I know how terrifying and on edge you can be ALL of the time. As stated I have a blue badge for my disabilities so I use it but it also benefits my son as I cannot imagine getting from one end of the carpark to the other without him being a danger to himself. I hope you apply and he gets accepted one OP

My DD is similar and has a blue badge. Her category was classed as ‘risk in traffic’ I’m sure. She attends an additional needs school though and it was them who advised me to apply and helped with the application. She cannot cross a road safely, has no awareness of danger (would easily walk out in front of a bus for example) so anyone with her needs to be extremely vigilant.

Definitely apply. The worst thing they can say is no.

I doubt he's eligible with low rate mobility YET that is - it's reasonable for a parent to be with him in car parks at his age and he can walk fine. At the point when you would reasonably expect him to walk across a car park with you, without prompting etc then he would more likely to qualify (and I would push for higher rate of mobility at that point). Most of the child benefits are compared to a typical child of their age unlike adults where it's more cut and dry

It sounds like it would be really useful to you so yes apply. Do you have any disability organisations locally that could help with your application? Ring your local citizens advice bureau for recommendations. Citizens advice might be able to help with the application also.

Going through the same OP. Worth applying but don't get your hopes up. Honestly from what I see/ hear it varies from council to council, the rules may be the same idk, but how they're applied seems fairly arbitrary

Not sure how much use it will be as lots of places don’t have enough parking spots for disabled and only in car parks etc so not going to work much on side of road.
But it’s worth applying. My DS has had one since he was three.

My DD has a blue badge due to her autistic needs.