Is my child entitled to DLA

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Hi,
I have a child (9) who has recently been diagnosed with autism. It tool a long time to get diagnosed. He is not severely disabled but in my opinion needs extra help (restricted food, no loud sudden noises, very forgetful, can't do buttons or shoe laces, basically nothing extreme but it's of little bits). I'm now wondering if I am supposed to apply for DLA? It's not huge amount but of course it would help. Who can help me with the form? Would it be Sen at school? The Dr who diagnosed gave us the diagnosis and that was ut. Any parents with autistic kids that receive DLA - was it difficult to apply?

The form is long but easy to fill in..it's multiple choice. I filled it in honestly for my autistic son and filling it in helped me to realise how much more I did for him than my nt two.
You will need a supporting letter from someone to corroborate what you are saying. My son's TA did it for us.

DLA is based on needs, not diagnosis. If DS needs more care/supervision than a typical peer the same age, you should apply. You have nothing to lose. Use the Cerebra guide to help you complete the form.

You will need evidence (e.g. diagnostic report &/or school SEN plan), but it isn’t essential to have someone complete the someone who knows the child section.

We asked school for someone who knows the person but can also be someone from scouts or whatever other stuff they go to.

Sky badger also have a good guide. We sent lots of evidence - was an inch thick. DS has multiple SEND but I had never thought to do it until gently prompted by one of the professionals involved (an ed psychologist).

It is all about needs, e.g. are they safe to go outside on their own to a shop or the park? Why not? balance/danger awareness etc. Likewise care inside - drinking, self care, toilets, night time like wet beds or getting scared or wandering. Lots of SEND parents get used to doing stuff extra than a usual child but when you add it all up its often a lot of extra care.

Hope that helps. We got our paediatrician to write a report as well to summarise key issues.

You just have to detail how much time you spend helping with each thing your child needs to do. If this is significantly more than a standard child you will get it and then low, middle and high (care) is determined by whether they need help at one point in the day, throughout the day, or day and night.

We got it before we had a diagnosis. I provided no evidence and what preschool provided was rubbish as they didn’t believe he was autistic, but we still got it and it has been renewed absolutely fine since.

I second looking at the Cerebra guide.

Can I ask how old your child was when you started claiming? My child turned 4 in August and we don’t have a diagnosis yet. I sent some evidence, got the nursery to fill in the person who knows you and I’ve given tons on info on her behaviour etc. I’m still worried because of her age.

@MrsW12 Some 4 year olds get DLA. The only thing that can’t be awarded is low rate mobility. So, the claim won’t be refused purely on the basis DD is 4 if she needs more care/supervision than typical peers the same age.

Aww thank you. I have given loads of information. I literally just called back to tell them that a neighbour found her in the middle of the road on Saturday after somehow getting out of the house. And as I was on the phone to them she’d drawn all over my kitchen furniture in felt tip pen. I hope they agree that this isn’t typical of a 4 year old in reception.

Either almost four or just turned four, I can’t remember exactly.

This gives me hope. I feel and definitely needs more supervision than any other 4 year old and have given them lots of information, but I’m still so nervous

Nervous of applying or nervous that you won’t get it?

It is fairly standard for autistic kids to get mid rate care (or high rate if they have sufficient needs at night) plus low rate mobility.

Nervous I won’t get it. I don’t see why we won’t but there’s a doubt in my head. I’m at nearly 19 weeks now. Thank you.

My main issue is that I want to know either way so I can move on. I have adhd myself, so I can’t cope with the unknown. And also, even though I know 15 weeks as they state in every letter isn’t right, my crazy brain can’t let go of that. I didn’t give a thought about it from sending the forms off til 15 weeks!

Is it going to make a massive difference financially? If not is is so easy to get wound up in these things, but other than the finances it doesn’t mean much.

Absolute worst case is that they’ve lost the application, you have to reapply, then then take forever, before telling you you were unsuccessful and you then have to appeal the decision. Each of those things is surmountable, but annoying, if taken step by step.