AIBU to seek a mandatory reconsideration of my son’s DLA award?

[Blinmey]

I have just got my son’s renewal back, they have awarded him low-rate care and low rate mobility. However I think he should have got a higher award, he has autism, adhd and a gastrointestinal diagnosis. Whilst all his needs means he consistently needs help with lots of things, his gastrointestinal issue is one of the most significant as he soils throughout the day and night and with his autism he needs help with this (changing pants, washing underwear, washing hands, showering, hygiene). He gets up during the night and needs help with this, as he will do things like put soiled pants back on or not wash his hands or leave the toilet in a state. I put all of this on his form and gave the evidence which is letters from his paediatrician confirming all of this. The reasons DLA gave for low-rate was that he is at a mainstream school, he doesn’t have an EHCP and he’s described as being clever and happy.

He is 12.

Does this sound right to experts on here or should I be putting in a mandatory reconsideration?

Yep.

You also have to be repetitive. I was told by the hospital social worker that if you feel like you are repeating yourself, you are doing something right.

It’s so frustrating, especially the attitudes of other people.

I wish I didn’t have to send my son to private school, it would save me a lot of money. I think this is also indicative of the attitude towards private education, there’s an assumption that every family who makes that choice is loaded / a snob / wanting to give their DC an advantage of everyone else. My son’s school has 40% neurodiversity, the families send their children because mainstream isn’t suitable for their child. Our disabled young people are being let down massively in state mainstream secondary and we have a worsening mental health crisis. I have sadly worked with a lot of young people who cannot attend school, are highly anxious or have other mental health / behavioural issues, and end up - as some people on this thread are worried about - ‘costing the tax payer more’ because the correct support and funding wasn’t there in the first place. These are young people that could have been working or otherwise contributing, but they’ve been incredibly let down and neglected by the system.