To apply for DLA for an autistic child

[Jamtomorrowandthenextday]

My child is autistic, high functioning, copes well but struggles a bit socially. They really cannot cope with busy environments thronging with people, people shouting, pushing shoving etc, struggled with high school, became a school refuser. We asked the school pupil support whether private school would make a difference, she said yes, calmer environment, butter pupil behaviour, fewer traumatised kids lashing out. My child now attends a mainstream private school and it has been utterly transformational.

We pay for the school ourselves. We could probably apply to the council for funding with the back up of the state school they did attend but tbh we work full time in stressful jobs and are tired of the endless fighting that is associated with trying to get help for a SEN child. We can afford the private school fees but doing so does mean we cannot quite less the lifestyle we otherwise would annd are frustrated that the state couldn’t provide our child with a suitable learning environment. We pay our taxes, the state we’re not able to educate our child.

So, chat on the radio yesterday about the number of people who claim DLA for ASD. It’s not means tested. We currently receive no benefits whatsoever. AIBU to put in a claim for DLA in the hope that it would in some way to help mitigate the school fees? It wouldn’t have occurred to me to do so, but people do claim it (and I’m quite annoyed at being made to pay VAT on school fees, when I would dearly love to be able to use a state school but can’t). Can anyone who currently claims say whether we’d be likely to get anything?

We have applied for DSs ASD. We don’t absolutely need the money however we definitely have extra costs, especially 1:1 care after school as he’s not able to attend after school club. So I figure it will really help us with that cost.

Absolutely apply.

have a look at the form. It's for children who have care needs far over and above their peers without a disability. I guess it depends how much extra help your child needs. We get it for my DC but they also have severe learning difficulties, need 24/7 care, help with washing, dressing etc. How much help do they need in school, do they have 1:1 support or attend a special school. If you look at the form, you will see the descriptors and it should give you and idea if your child ticks many boxes. Many with ASD qualify - but many don't. It goes on care needs and how the condition affects you. The name of the condition is irrelevant. It's also not how much money you spend on them. That's completely irrelevant to how DLA is determined. They just look at the extra care needs. Does your child have an ECHP? That is usually also good evidence. Hope that makes sense.

DLA is for care needs. Write out all the additional care/support your child needs at home and at school, gather all paperwork from speech therapists/paediatric consultants/educational psychologist or whoever else has been involved leading to your son’s diagnosis and apply based on how high these needs are.

Of course it’s ok to apply

Have a look at the cereba guide.

DLA isn’t based on diagnosis it is based on level of need above that of a typically developing peer.

Based on care needs. I have a 17yo DS who is entitled to ADP and on the enhanced rate. He is in the CAMHS system though. Needs loads of help. Has had OT involvement too. Definitely get DLA for your DC if they are entitled to it.

As above DLA is for extra care needs above and beyond that of a typical child
A diagnosis doesn't automatically guarantee an award all you can do is apply
It doesnt matter how much you earn etc as its non means tested.

I've got 3 autistic children, they all recieve child disability payment (Scottish equivalent of DLA). It definitely does not hurt to apply. Have as much evidence of the care and support that he needs as you can, you need to be able to show that they need more care than the average child of their age. Diagnosis alone is not enough. It's a very lengthy form. As someone mentioned above, look up the cerebra guide to DLA, it's incredibly helpful.

Apply - and get help with filling in the form, it's well worth it.

We get DLA for DS, and it's been a great help.

You won't know if you don't apply. Be thorough with your evidence.

Absolutely you should be applying! You have to pay for extra care and therapy for your child. Get what you’re entitled to. Trust me, being an autism mum is absolutely crap most of the time. Why not get this? Also means you can get disabled parking which is bloody helpful.

It just means you get help for the extra shit they have to manage with and there will always be stuff

You won’t necessarily get it as you’ve said he copes will and just struggles a bit socially.

An autism diagnosis doesn’t by any means guarantee DVL. All of my children have autism diagnoses, only 1 gets DVL.

Yes, of course.

Tbh, it's a bit easier with a teen because the 'gap' for showing the needed care and support beyond their peers is more obvious.

Take time with the form, really highlight what she can't do (which is heartbreaking to do but needed) attach any evidence you have and then expect a very long wait.

Definitely apply. It's not means tested so it doesn't matter that you're paying for private school.
It depends on level of additional care (or rather evidence of additional care) rather than awarded for diagnosis so no one can really answer whether or not you will be successful but you have nothing to lose through applying & it can also open doors to other things like a blue badge if your child is a danger around roads etc.

You can apply for a blue badge without DLA. It’s only if you get the highest rate of mobility under DLA that means getting a Blue Badge without additional evidence or paperwork, and the OP’s child wouldn’t be entitled to HRM based on the information given.

It's definitely worth applying. I helped a friend get DLA for her son when he was 10, before he was diagnosed.

Thanks to CAMHS here being utterly woeful, he didn't get assessed until he was 16. She'd have missed out on an awful lot of money if she'd waited for a diagnosis.

He's 17 now, and on PIP plus UC with limited capability for work related activity.

Hi @Jamtomorrowandthenextday this sounds like my son’s profile. Would you be able to share with me here or privatly which private school your child attands? We are currently looking into private school transition. So if anyone has reccomendation for private achools that provide social support would be greatly appriciated!

Where are you based? My son goes to one in Stockport which is amazing - feel free to message me for details x

YABU to use the term "high functioning". But not to apply for DLA.

YANBU to apply. As pp have said, you have to demonstrate particular needs and the amount of time per day that they take up. I'm not sure they would accept school fees as something you needed the money for.
We get DLA for autistic DC - the specific care needs we included in the application were eating issues, toileting issues and lack of danger awareness.

I know you said you were exhausted with everything, but if you were to apply for an EHCNA you might ultimately have an EHCP and might be able to choose the school he’s already at. I know there are some restrictions in terms of private schools, but if you could bear it, it might help too.

Yoy can use the DLA money for whatever benefits the child ,that could be a contribution to school fees ,Horse riding, or help towards house hold bills no one checks .

Without meaning to be confrontational, why not describe an autistic person as ‘high functioning’. My child is not offended by the description and it neatly sums up the challenges they face. Just to say autistic could mean anything.