DLA Form, Need help with questions. any one please??

[butty]

Hi, i have just recieved the dla form and mobility form and am struggling with some of it.
We currently receive middle rate for dylan although as he has not improved since last year, they have said that i should apply for the higher rate.
Some of the questions are difficult and i know that some of the threads on here people have had their claim knocked back.
He is fast approaching 3 and needs constant supervision in the day, although he sleeps all night and does not wake during the night of which i feel may go against him.
Any advise would be of great appreciation.
Regards, Butty.xx

Try using one of the online guides, like this one from Cerebra www.cerebra.org.uk/ (sorry, no matter how many times I try I can't do links here). It helps you to break down the questions and answer them in a way that's appropriate to the condition. Good luck.

i have managed to tackle it over 3 griping hours last night all though i dont know as of to how well i have answered the questions, and i feel that i have repeated myself in quite a few places.

There was quite good information about this on the DSA website, I will try to find a link.
Don't forget the smallest aspects of care. For Amelia I wrote pages and pages, it really was an eye-opener on how much extra help and attention she actually requires. We carry out SALT even as we brush her teeth, wash sticky eyes, gunked up ears, cope with sensory issues along the way, put on cream 2-3 times daily because she still dribbles quite a lot. Feeding, behaviour at mealtimes, bathtimes, communication....basically ever part of our routine.

If you feel you need any help on particular questions, feel free to CAT me on email me on dinglescards at yahoo dot co dot uk. I have only recently completed the DLA forms for Amelia and she will be 4 at the end of October. (She has DS)

Hi,

are you trying to get higher rate of DLA care component, or higher rate mobility component?

I don't know the details of your son's disability but you say he sleeps all night and does not wake during the night. The highest rate of DLA care component can only be paid to people who need attention or watching over at night, or alternatively to people who are terminally ill and applying under the special rules. So if he sleeps all night and isn't terminally ill then he won't qualify for that.

On the other hand, the highest rate of mobility component can be paid from age 3, so maybe that is why you have been invited to reapply.

Hi, dylan does wake some nights and escapes from his bead causing injuries due to tiredness.
We have to have the monitor permanently on incase he does wake, which at the mo is 2 - 3 times a week.
He as a rule does sleep all night, but when he wakes it takes 15 - 20 minutes to settle him.
There has been a special gate built for him, so if he does wake he cant get out and fall down the stairs.
We have to take him up 3 flights of stairs to and from bed as he is unable to walk or crawl up or down the stairs.
He is still in nappies and no where near indicating, he does not talk, walk or communicate very well.
he has global development delay, hypotonia, underdeveloped frontal lobe and is awaiting an
MRI scan to see how much damage to brain as well as a skin biopsy for his chromosomes.
On his statement he has been classed as having severe learning difficulties being from 2.2 yrs delayed and 18 months delay in other areas.
He needs constant supervision due to his extremely poor balence and coordination, and the list goes on.

sorry i forget to mention that he is being fitted with splints in the next two weeks of which i will have to get up during the night to turn him to positions.
I do not know how many times a night until they have been fitted, but i have been advised that it is part and parcel of having them on permanently as dylan will have to.

Butty - if you are going to have to get up in the night for the splints then put this on the DLA form. By the time your claim is processed you will be doing it and that is definitely extra care at night.

In any case it sounds like he does need extra care at night. I wouldn't say he 'usually sleeps' but say that he needs extra monitoring at night (most parents of a 3 year old wouldn't still be using a monitor I don't think).

Thanks for that, the form has been sent to his school today for his referee of which his physio is doing it.
I have mentioned on the form that he has a monitor and a special gate as well as the fact that he does get out of bed sometimes.
I have also mentioned about the splints and am waiting for the physio to tell me how often at night before i send the form off.