Turned down for DLA - what now?

[smugtandemfeeder]

OK so DLA have turned us down. We had contact-a-family help us fill in the form, plus we sent of the paed referral letter, plus a twenty page additional info document written by me.

DLA say they have had a phone call as extra evidence and 'other information'. I have asked for details/copies of this information but this will take two weeks.

The only information I know they requested was from the crap preschool. Perhaps the social worker called them.

Would they really take preschool evidence over paed referral?

What do I do now? Ask them to reconsider, appeal or give up?

DS is 3, is being assessed for ASD, however he hides his behaviour well in many circumstances, eg preschool he just seems a bit anxious at the moment, assessments he just seems a bit anxious. Is it possible to get DLA when they hide their symptoms or do I need to wait for firmer diagnosis. DS has a working diagnosis of anxiety and wakes up 4 times a night screaming, plus gets up at 4 am, is not toilet trained, smears poo on the walls, has severe tantrums all day at home. However I dont have a lot of evidence of this. I have videoed lots of it but again this has been ignored so far by the people they got extra reports from.

Thicker skin growing as we speak. Why does everyone seem to think im lying!!??

Will come back later

I think you should ask the DLA to 'look again' that just means it goes to another worker and they look at it, if they say no then you can push for a tribunal, we've just gone throutribunal for DD, she was awarded low rate mobility in fact she's always had low mobility whilst her more able ID twin sister has always got high rate mobility, the girls are 17 now and it has taken thirteen months to get the tribunal, they will be back paying the thirteen months, shame they didn't back date it for the last 12 years!
I think you'll struggle getting DLA with no DX and also as the people who have sent in reports do you know what they said? If you appeal they will send you copies of everything that was used in reaching their decision.
Get a welfare rights worker they can handle all the DLA stuff for you. Good luck.

Trying to think of some Pratical advice, can you get a copy of the request for 1:1 it would of need to be sanctioned with reasoning given, have the pre school written an iep, I sent mine off as evidence as it stated he needed constant superivision and encouragement to stay on task. In honesty I do not think your contact a family did a great job. An example would be all 3 year olds need supervision on roads and the fact he ran out in front of cars could be seen as lack of supervision(not a criticism my son is the same). However my form says how my son needs to be restrained at all times inside and out, locks on all doors and windows, strict routines followed at home to ensure safety. I have to ensure his siblings follow same routines. This is not typical of 3 year old behaviour. The positive thing for you is as you are appealing he is getting older and the difference in him and his peers becomes easier to explain and justify.