Could I apply for DLA for dyslexic DS?

[AchillesLastStand]

DS is 11 and after years of struggling at school he has had a dyslexia assessment paid for by hi school and he has been diagnosed with dyslexia.

As well as struggling at school with the usual things like reading, spellings and maths and following instructions, he struggles with things at home and I think it’s only now that he’s turned 11 I’ve realised how far behind other children he is. He can’t cut up his food, he can’t wash his hair. I have to do these things for him. He can’t follow instructions and has be told repeatedly to do things. If I ask him to get dressed, he’ll choose a T-shirt out of his wardrobe in the middle of winter despite being told to put a jumper on. He can’t tie shoes laces, He can’t be left to brush his teeth unsupervised. He gets very anxious about things especially new environments. I have to walk him to school and he holds my hand. I think I’ll still be walking him to school when he starts high school.

I should say that he attends is a normal primary and will be go going to a regular high school I. September. He has no issues with talking and is actually very articulate for his age.

Thank you.

Hi, sorry to hear this. I don't have much useful advice but following with interest as DD just diagnosed at primary also. I know dyslexia can affect organisational skills, but it does sound like there might be something else going on, maybe pushing for an EP assessment would be good to tease out any other possible issues like anxiety?

DLA is based on needs, not diagnosis.

DS needs care and supervision in excess of what a typical peer the same age needs, so yes, apply.

I second pp, have you considered things other than dyslexia? For example, DCD?

Yes, the dyslexia report mentioned that is was likely he had this as well and should seek an assessment. He also has hyper mobility in his hands.

You will need a very strong case with lots of evidence. We were just turned down for my son with ASD, hyper mobility and a few other issues, despite appearing to tick a lot of boxes on the application form. But if you have time to get through it you've nothing to lose!

@BellaGoth request a mandatory reconsideration and appeal if necessary.

@StrivingForSleep thank you, too long ago for us now unfortunately.

@BellaGoth ah, when you said ‘just turned down’ I thought you meant recently. You could reapply then appeal if necessary.

Do you also have a dyspraxia diagnosis for him? The cutting food, shoelaces, washing hair etc sounds like that to me?
With my dyspaxic DDs we have done a three pronged approach

• break steps down and practice until they can do them (eg hair washing, sitting outside shower giving next steps)
• find workarounds (eg elastic laces)
• ignore and live with it (eg how they hold cutlery, going down stairs with 2 feet on each step)

Oh, and loads of checklists.

(Sorry, that doesn't help with your question.)

You can apply but it's unlikely to be granted. Why do you have to walk him to school? Is he unsafe to be unsupervised or is he anxious?