DDs Visual wall done...now to tackle the dreaded DLA form...any tips?

[woolytree]

I hope everyone is having a good half term, we are, mainly due to the focal point being DDs 5th birthday tomorrow!

I made DD a wall of visuals, a timetable, now and next, emotions/how we feel and a clock...will add phonics and numbers later. Also made a little routines book, (from a business card holder binder, removeable pages too), bedtime, bath time, toilet, eating, getting dressed and another page of feelings. She got up and saw it this morning...was delighted! :) Asking for more pictures, used the timetable, took the book to the bathroom and actually wiped and washed her hands. The pictures seem to distract her from tantrums about doing everything and she loves the simple steps to follow....and the big well done. :)

Tonight Im starting the DLA form. :( Read through the cerebra guide yesterday, have my diary of summer, getting reports and a letter from Inclusion teacher, got DX report, will ask SALT next week....any tips??? (apart from take my time and reward with wine!)

I am still putting mine off....had them nearly 4 weeks now and not finished them!!!

Ur visual wall sounds good....is that in ur DD bedroom? x

Well done on getting your wall done! From your DD's response it sounds as though it will work well.

DLA:
Send samples of all the visuals you've got on your wall, explaining why you use them and how they benefit DD.

Type it all out in Word, heading by heading, so you can say as much as you need to without being confined to ridiculously small boxes. On the form just say 'refer to attached' or similar.

Bullet point headings at the top of each section 'Areas of Difficulty' and 'Support Needed', with more detailed text underneath if they want more info.

Do a little bit every day rather than the whole lot in a few goes. It gets tedious and there's a temptation to rush it. Read it back and re-edit several times till you're sure you're satisfied with it.

Photocopy the whole lot and keep the Word doc and accompanying pages/covering letter on your hard drive (sounds obvious, thousands don't bother) - it makes it easier for renewal if you've got your last application there ready to update.

Set up an account with the off licence, you'll need it .

Oh, and send it recorded. It costs about £6 but at least you'll know that the next day it'll be sitting on someone's desk ready for assessment.

Good luck!

Cool...thanks for the great tips streaky! ...esp the offy! My Mum is coming to help me read it through and give examples in comparrison to DDs 5 year old cousin.

Anna I thought you only got 6 weeks...or arent yours dated? Race you!... The wall is great, she took the routine book to bed with her, we did the bathtime and bedtime ones....she thinks the wet my pants picture is funny!...but used it! Its in our hallway, luckily its quite roomy. I put it there so we can monitor its use better...she has control of the book.

Yeah it has to be in by 8th November!!! Just keep looking at it but scares me!!! lol xx

OOOh Hurry Anna! Get it over with.

Right Im stuck already!.....

Part 5 More about the child, obviously I tick problems with speech or language but what else? Is ASD a Mental Health problem? Do I tick learning difficulty??? Her dx says... 'no general learning difficulty however her underpinning weakness in language and verbal cognitive abilities suggest she is likely to experience many aspects of school based learning significantly challenging' Im guessing I cant tick severe learning difficulty and severe behavioural problems?

We havent seen OT either...whats a care plan?

Falling at first hurdle!

Woolytree, do you want to see my last claim for referernce? Send me a PM with an email address and I'll forward it.

It's OK to answer any questions that need a straightforward answer with 'see attached' if you need to give more detail. Very often there are conditions that haven't been diagnosed which are significant enough to warrant extra care (and thus DLA) but haven't been fully investigated yet. If this is the case for your dd you need to say so. Don't be bullied by the requirements of the form - answer it your own way to make sure you give all the relevant information they need to make a decision.

Thanks streaks. :) Ive pmd you.

My main tip on filling in your dla form is to get a blank piece of paper and write positives on that as you fill in the form. Because you are focusing on the form on what your dcs struggle with/need help with it is hard going emotionally.

If you know anyone with a child the same age focus on what the parent has to do, and doesn't have to do. These comparisons are handy as often we don't reailse that something we do for our dc a parent with a child the same age doesn't have to do for their child. HTH

Thankyou. :) Her cousin is two weeks older so he can be our comparison...its hard to see what we do as its normal to us, I think it takes an outside POV to clarify what is additional care.

I took the day off yesterday for DDs birthday...was too tired! Back on the DLA wagon tonight.

Hey Anna85 did you get started yet? Ive been doing it everyday and Im still not done!

How many statements from others do people put in?

I included all sorts with mine.

I never actually got written reports from OT or SALT (they upped sticks and moved on without telling me ) so I compiled all the emails and other correspondence between us to show that they actually had been involved and the recommendations they'd made.

ANYTHING that strengthens your case, copy it and send it .

I gave a list of contact details for all the professionals who were currently involved, and left it up to DWP who they got in touch with. AFAIK none were contacted and they made their decision based on my claim form alone.

Woolytree - No still not done it...plan to do it today and tomorrow but its just been manic lately. Half term has been spent with all kinds of appt and not really had a min to spare as just cannot sit and do things when DS is at home!!

How are u getting on?? x

Its taken me all week, bits during the day and every evening apart from on DDs birthday. It feels like writing a book! I only have a bit to go and supporting evidence to copy and gather so Im hoping it will be complete by mid week...I cant face it tonight, just had DDs swimming party and my best friends birthday party today so Im shattered. No school tomorrow and dh at home so Ill take time out to finish, review and make calls tomorrow.

I hope it goes well for you Anna, let me know if you want any pointers...allthough I obviously have no idea if mine is right or will be successful!! :) x

Thanks for the advice its much appreciated. [hsmile]

it took me 5 weeks, but did it and got it ok. top tip is dont say he/she, say the child's name EVERY time. good luck

Thanks. :)