DLA people who give statements about your child?

[skewiff]

After hours and hours and hours of filling in this form - I am nearly at the end ...

I'm just not sure what to do about part 36 'Statement from someone else who knows the child' and part 25 'Who would you like to tell us about the child's illnesses or disabilities'.

My son has cerebral palsy, but we manage it mostly ourselves and therapies that we pay for. We get very little from the NHS and I don't push for it anymore as they're quite useless - I feel/think.

Added to that we only have 1 OT for our entire borough and she can only make splints - not actually offer any therapy. Plus our paediatrician whom we saw last has left - the OT who knew my son as left, he is known, but not very well by SALT - so the only person I have to ask is our physio.

It does say that part 36 is optional - but I'm sure it would be more beneficial for us to fill it in??? I know you can ask a relative or friend - but is that actually worth doing? My sister would be very good - but is her opinion going to count?

I could put a nursery teacher in the part 25 - but there are sooo many children at DS's nursery that I don't feel they are ever aware of his real needs. They're always saying how well he is doing which is not going to help much with the DLA.

I know I shouldn't be stressing about this - but its been such a long hard slog I just want to get it sent off. This bit feels like an irritating last obstacle.

i got a neighbour to fill in section 36 as she saw dd most days and saw the problems dd encountered as for as for part 25 i put the gp down for that part as ot etc have to keep him upto date with treatment even if it's not done by nhs. your sister could fill in section 36 they might phone her for more details .

I put DS's Keyworker at nursery down as well as his portage playworker.

ask your private therapists, doesn't matter that they're not NHS.

It can be absolutely anyone - I've done it for two friends (one's also a neighbour) as I knew the child and could see how it affected them, I don't have any official reason to do it and it didn't stop them getting an award.

It's just anyone that knows them well enough and has an understanding of how it affects his daily life.

Ask your private therapists.

I put Ds1's paedeatric psychiatrist down, but he's always had a lot of NHS psych intervention.

(he's lovely, happy, etc - just - a whirlwind!)

My best friend filled it in for me she has known dd since birth and we have grown children and the small ones of the ages so was obvious the difficulties faced by my youngest.
She also had a great memeory and has been on the end of many a desperate phone call on the very bad days.

I usually get a relative to do it but I believe if you get a professional to do it, it may mean they then don't need to contact that person.

i put the paediatrician and schools senco down but any health worker, gp, any private or nhs health profeshional but a close friend or pre school key worker anyone who also sees them regularly and knows how her disability affects her is good

We had our adult daughter write out a letter as she sees DS2 daily and helps us out sometimes. Also gave them info to speak to paediatrician, senco, and his 1:1 TA at school.

I would think your private therapists would be a good option.

The headteacher did dd's and the head of the autism unit did ds's statement of someone who knows your child. I put the paed as who to contact but they didn't contact anybody as the school's contribution was very comprehensive.

I didnt ask any one to add to ours both times and get middle rate.
Dd has not really got any dx apart from development delay and severe speech delay but does need 24 hour care if you make that clear on the form think it helps with decision.
I hate filling dla in and have to do it every two years.
Good luck

Linda Scotson is one of DS's private therapists. She is the person who runs the Scotson technique centre/ Advance.

We've been going there regularly for 3 years nearly - but her therapy would not be recognised at all in the NHS/mainstream world.

Would they really listen to what she had to say? (I personally rate her very highly).

We put PJs SALT down, and the optional one we left blank. I asked the SALT if I could have a copy of her report and it turns out the DLA never requested one. So effectively PJ got his award without any supporting statements

If you have any letters from the community paed with a diagnosis and medical information I would enclose a copy. L Scotson sounds a good bet to me. Put as much and from as many people as you can who are involved in DSs care directly. Less chance of a refusal.

Ok - thank you everyone.

I feel less stressed about it now.