This might be a non issue but if DS starts sleeping through the night at what point do I tell DLA of the change?

[WhoWhoWhoWho]

As I say this may be a non issue but the last 2 nights DS has slept through (10pm-5/6am). He usually 'sleeps' really badly and is still in nappies, ergo he receives HRC on DLA.

IF this is the start of his sleep patterns improving (I have everything crossed that it is, I long for normal sleep), when do I notify DLA of the change? Obviously I would want to be sure it was a permanent change.

I am part excited he has slet well the last two nights, and part suspicious that he wants the doctor who card each morning so badly that he is just lyin silently in his bed (I'm sure he isn't though, he's generally too bouncy and exciteable to do anything so controlled and calculating).

mmmm tricky one, my son can have phases of sleeping all night for a good few weeks then the panics return and he wont let me leave him all night long, demands that I guard him and wont leave my bed and wakes up so frequently to check im there that I dont bother sleeping in the end, then that pattern can continue for months on end then a few weeks or even a couple of months if im lucky of him sleeping again. I certainly wouldnt be ringing the DLA yet. Id be interested to see what replies you get to this as i will be renewing my DLA next spring and ive also thought the same about the night times, do you still write down the worst case scenario. Sorry, I wasnt much help

Thanks for replying, it's a tricky one isn't it! Our claim renewal is end of the year so not that far off.

My ds is usally similar to yours, he's 6 and he has now slept through the night maybe 6 times in his whole life, and that includes the last two nights! He seems to have short sleep cycles - in his own words "I don't like sleep and I don't have to so I don't want to!". Unlike most people he seems to survive on very little sleep. Even when he is sleeping I'm on my guard as he can try to get out of the house for example (he doesn't get far as I have door and window alarms), or I have woken up before with him sat next to me with a huge pair of kitchen scissors

oh lord!! the scissors are scarey! If its up for renewal at the end of the year dont go ringing them now. Ive got a feeling your sons sleeping all night wont last, sorry although obviously I hope it does continue for you! xx

A rule of thumb might be: given that to get dla you need to prove their additional needs have been established for at least 3 months, it would make sense for established improvements to be around for the same amount of time.

Well anything your claiming for must have been a problem for at least three months so logically I would say it also need to have gone away for three months for them to stop the claim.

Have you looked on the direct.gov website?

DS's sleep improved for almost a couple of months. Still waking but vastly improved, - and then...........it all went to pot. That short time was bliss.

Check the Cerebra guide. I think waking at 5-6 is still classed as nighttime care

Here is some caselaw which supports if you would not get up at 5 or 6 yourself except to supervise your child then care before say 7am is still care at night.

My DS is similar - but 5am start and we still claim on this basis as no way would I be getting up at 5am otherwise.

But I guess you also have to think about what other children that age might do. Getting up at 5-6 is quite usual for a toddler but not for a child at school age.

The 3 month rule of thumb makes sense thanks, I will go with that. I am desperately hoping this will last but even if it doesn't it's nice while it does!

I was so happy to get a solid sleep I happily got up with him at 5 and thought nothing of it (but no, his classmates don't get up at 5am)! He can get me up at this time anyway so I didn't bat an eyelid, just headed for my saviour - caffeine!

I am going to keep a log I think of sleep times, will help me see if things continue/ decline, etc.