Can I use direct payments to pay for ABA therapy?

[Ronifromwales]

Hi,

I've heard that some parents use direct payments to help towards the cost of ABA therapy as it's time someone spends with your child (and you don't necessarily have to be around). The rates are around 10.87 per hour. has anyone heard or has any experience with that? I didn't even know they existed until the other day.

Yes, you can.

When we were given our DPs we were expressly and categorically told they could not be used for ABA or any other educational therapy. They were obviously worried I was going to put them towards our ABA programme so really did bang on about it.

I do know of several people who manage to do it though

No, but you can pay for a nanny who just happens to be ABA trained.

Apologies for hijack here - what are direct payments? I have applied for DLA, if successful would we qualify for this too?

I know families who use their dla to pay for ABA. Obviously, unknown to the government, but they do.

HI Poopy fingers, I'm in the same boat as you. My HV NEVER EVER mentioned direct payments and she also said I wouldn't get it but so many people do get them. :/

hi all, thanks for your thoughts, how do people justify the need for a nanny when they've got a partner and their kids are school age? also I've quit work and will be home full time. My dh works full time though...

Are HV's any use to anyone ever? I wrote and complained about mine, and have opted out of the HV service totally - my HV was just so awful, so incompetent and unprofessional.... and has never helped in any way.

If I get DLA (put in a claim last week) can I claim Direct Payments on top of that (not for ABA of course... )?

Roni for "respite" is how you put it.