DLA change of circumstances

[AutisSon]

A bit of a long post but I am really struggling with peri menopause and anxiety and I am at a loss here. I need help. My DS was diagnosed with ASD age 2 (he is now 10). I applied for his DLA then and renewed it after three years. The current award is until August 2025. I am always worried about what to report as his needs vary. For example, he used to be very aggressive but now he has mellowed, I think this may be because he now has a lovely room with all his devices and games, I think this has helped massively. However, he is still unaware of dangers and needs supervision to keep him safe. I am still showering everyday, although for the last week he has been keen to try and do it for himself. Lots of promting to brush his teeth, wash his hands etc. He is also sleeping better and he stopped wetting the bed (I did report this). I am just so scared of things at the moment and I am cathastrophising everything. It doesn't help that my husband said today that I do everything for our DS and that some things are nothing to do with his ASD, but rather me trying to still treat him like a baby. I am just at the verge of another panic attack, just want to call the DWP tomorrow and stop the payments. I am just so worried that they may think I am a fraudster! My question here is whether I am overreacting or if you think I should report any change of circumstances. We are also waiting as he is having a ADHD assessment at the end of May. What do I do? Please help me:(

I completely get where you're coming from as I sometimes have similar thoughts and anxiety, particularly when my DC is going through a "good" patch.

I think it depends on what rate you get, how big the changes are, whether they're likely to be permanent or just a phase and whether, overall, you still meet the criteria.

So for example, if you get HRC (needing additional care throughout both the day and night) and the night-time needs have ceased or are a lot lower, then yes that should be reported.

I think the criteria for MRC is care needs (above what is usual for a child of that age without additional needs) for more than an hour each day throughout the day.

We have weeks whereby some aspects of my DC's care needs seem to improve, for example sensory aversions to clothes in the morning meaning it takes less time to get her dressed, but 1) it has so far always got worse again so I would be constantly doing CoCs 🤣 and 2) the rest of her care needs still add up to a lot.

I would report any changes that mean DS is no longer eligible for the rate they receive. For example, if the improvement in sleeping is to the extent he no longer needs help or supervision throughout the day and night I would report that. But I would only report it if it is sustained change. I wouldn’t jump to report just because DS had a good couple of weeks.

Thank you (I am not sure what I have done with my username!). He has MRC and LMC, he had always had them since he was 2. He still wakes up in the night, maybe three times per week, and comes up with random stuff, but settles back to sleep quite quickly. In the day he just cannot reliably walk alone or cross a road, needs just so much prompting to do anything and very very often, if not daily, I have to do it for him (i.e. shower). He used to be quite aggressive in his manners but he has mellowed down considerably, thanks to the room that we have done for him. The changes are that sleep has improved and his aggressive behaviour has got so much better. Is just nerve wrecking and I know I am probably overthinking, but I like doing everything by the book and all this is really worrying me😩

It sounds like DS still needs frequent help or constant supervision during the day and supervision outdoors so it sounds like he still qualifies for MRC/LRM.