To apply for a blue badge for ds9

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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 ?

My son (ASD ADHD and a number of other
diagnoses) has had one for 6 years since he was three. The fact I had other younger children also made a difference as he actually became a danger to me and them by the fact I would have to deal with him running off and couldn’t keep them safe. I would definitely apply. Its made such a difference to us. Some days I would have just driven home if i couldn’t park otherwise as I knew I couldn’t keep them all
safe. Things like having the yellow box around the car helps focus him when we get in and out etc too. Helps him learn to concentrate and have tiny bits of independence when he knows the safe places to stand.

I don't agree with this but no one can stop you applying. That's not to say that I don't sympathise but people with impaired mobility need these spaces more in my opinion. Sooner or later your son will need to learn to navigate car parks safely. In the meantime supervise him appropriately - treat him like a toddler. Maybe even use a parent and child space.

I'm pretty sure I'll be flamed to death for posting this but I honestly don't care anymore. There are people who really need disabled spaces because they can't physically walk very well or at all. They need the spaces more than people who are physically capable but just need supervision. Just my opinion, feel free to ignore it, you'll have hundreds of supporters on Mumsnet.

My son’s had one for similar reasons since he was about 5, and he gets middle rate care DLA and nothing for mobility. There’s a bit more to it in his case, but most of the children at his school have them (it’s a special school for autistic children). It’s definitely worth applying. Include diagnosis letter, relevant parts of his EHCP, and a supporting letter from a teacher if you can. The more info the better.

He has autism….maybe he will never learn to navigate car parks safely?
blue badges aren’t just for people with impaired physical mobility ….like you say your opinion….but not mine

I’m amazed at the conditions qualifying for a blue badge. Sounds like most would qualify!

I have applied for two, one for my mum and one for an aunt. In both cases they had very limited mobility - heart condition and COPD (mum), osteoporosis and scoliosis (aunt) - and were registered blind (you actually qualify automatically if registered blind) and both times they were refused and I had to battle to get them.
My god-daughter (now 20) has a really severe genetic condition, can not communicate, or understand, is incontinent, has to be harnessed into a wheelchair when outside or runs off at any opportunity with no sense of danger- her mum applied and was turned down.
I'd be very surprised if your son qualifies- parking in a quiet corner of a car park is effective.

Don’t be so bloody ridiculous. You’re as bad as a family member who thinks we are so lucky to be able to use a blue badge. Pretty sure I’d rather my child didn’t need to navigate life with lifelong disabilities and need a badge.

Obviously autism is a huge spectrum but many children with autism qualify from five for Low rate mobility

My don't got HRM from nine under the severe mental impairment criteria

I mean that is now a multitude of conditions eligible for a Blue Badge so many more would qualify

How is your mums COPD or your aunts osteoporosis in anyway relevant to the Op,s situation?
They made the eligibility wider a few years back to include hidden disabilities, which impact on mobility
I'm very surprised your God daughter was turned down her mum needs to appeal, my son has had a blue badge since he was nine due to his severe learning disabilities, and autism he also gets HRM under SMI rules, and we have a mobility car for him.

They still need to be assesed and a diagnosis alone won't be enough it will be down to how the condition impacts a person.

My nephew has a blue badge for exactly those reasons.

Definitely apply.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to apply, as a pp stated the worst they can do is say no!
I know this is a touchy subject but he has a hidden disability, so he is technically eligible, and I might aswell apply if he's entitled to one.

Ask the school SENCO to help fill in the forms. I have a child with asd who is a risk to traffic, we asked our schools SENCO, she said something about they have to take in children with special needs when doing risk assessments for school trips and was happy to help. Hopefully your school will be as helpful.

If you really think having a disabled badge will benefit your DS and that his needs will be met by parking closer to places then apply.
I have my own personal judgement as I am close to someone who is completely wheelchair bound and uses a ramp access vehicle and know they sometimes struggle to park in disabled spaces due to people being granted one when it’s convenient but not needed.
Be aware that the disabled spaces are bigger and usually off the main road for people who need carers to push them in and out of the back of a large van not just closer.
Im not telling you to not apply, you know your DS and his needs, just please think whether this is actually going to benefit him enough to be using a disabled space and not just a convenience for the family.
Can you not continue to use the C&P spaces, they are just as close as disabled spaces?

Well it doesn't matter wether you agree with it or not because you don't get to make the decision, s
I don't know whether ,s the Op,s son will qualify but if he does than he has just aa much right to the space as anybody else entitled to a blue badge ,its not disability top trumps.

Well, it would be just as good to use parent and child spaces. But they're also very hard to come by. Bottom line is, ds is an absolute danger and has zero road awareness, I try my best to be his eyes but I do really think one day something awful could happen, yes even in just a car park, he is just off with the fairies thinking about "game ideas" etc, it's not ideal but it's also not his fault he has additional needs and cannot focus long enough to remember.
He is starting a ss school in September maybe they could help as a pp has suggested

I mean seriously??
Do you really think they grant blue badges to people because they are conveniant but not necessary
Do you honestly beleive that ??

Years ago, blue badges were about “limbs and breathing” - the physical stuff, for those who cannot walk any distance.

But, the criteria has been widened, so nothing to stop anyone applying. It will depend on the individual council whether it is granted or not.

I don’t think it’s a touchy subject at all OP, your DS has a genuine need.

Blue badges also allow parking in suitable places on the road that others are not allowed to park on, and often in marked parking spaces for longer than non-Blue badge holders or for free when it is otherwise free, with some exceptions, so giving much more scope for finding somewhere suitable for your child.

See here if you are in England:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-blue-badge-scheme-rights-and-responsibilities-in-england/the-blue-badge-scheme-rights-and-responsibilities-in-england

Definitely apply OP.

That is not true. Do you have anything of actual value to add to this thread, by any chance?

You should definitely apply. I’m not sure whether you’ll be eligible. There was a thread last night where the ops mum got turned down, and her mobility issues were apparently pretty severe

I agree with this. Plenty of people need the disabled parking spaces to have enough room to get a wheelchair alongside the car.

Anyone can have an opinion and comment- including yourself.