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Original poster

DLA Appeal

44 replies

red37 · 11/03/2006 14:34

I have been refused for the second time, son has been diagnosed with severe ADHD.
Anyone been through this or similar?
TIA

OP posts:
bunny3 · 11/03/2006 14:35

there is a really good website which gives advice on how to fill in the form. have you seen it? I'll find it for you

Original poster
red37 · 11/03/2006 14:37

Thanks bunnySmile

OP posts:
bunny3 · 11/03/2006 14:39

\link{http://www.bhas.org.uk/freeguides/dla_guides.shtml\here}

another mumsnet regular recommends this site - tells you what to write and what evidence to produce.

god luck

coppertop · 11/03/2006 14:40

I haven't been through the appeals procedure (though other mumsnetters have) but just wanted to wish you good luck. xx

buzylizy · 11/03/2006 14:42

same as coppertop good luck

QueenBodicea · 11/03/2006 22:55

FWIW, I applied last April for dla for DS who is 8 and has ADHD and dyspraxic tendencies. I was refused first of all but then asked for a reconsideration during which I wrote a long letter giving very specific details of the kind of problems he has and also got the consultant psychiatrist to write in. That must of done the trick. In October I was granted middle rate personal care and lower rate mobility. It sounds as though you should be entitled to that as well. Definetly persevere. Good luck.

Socci · 11/03/2006 23:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
red37 · 11/03/2006 23:07

I have a representitive who is helping me with this, he seems to think that the consultants report back to the DLA has let us down, his report is very vague and doesnt outline any of his symptoms. He claims he has never observed any challenging behaviour, He has upped and changed his medication twice in the past year, due to his behaviour and concentration difficulties. He contadicts himself. Can you get a second opinion from another consultant?
My appeal date is for next month and my rep seems optimistic.

OP posts:
Original poster
red37 · 11/03/2006 23:09

Sorry about the spellingBlush

OP posts:
QueenBodicea · 11/03/2006 23:20

Thats disappointing that it may have been the consultant who let you down. It might be worth asking him to send in another report which details the symptoms displayed e.g. why he needs much more help with personal care and supervision when outdoors than the average child of that age. My consultant pointed out that the medication only helped to aleviate the ADHD symptons and could not eradicate them altogether. May be you could ask another consultant at the same clinic?

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 12/03/2006 09:42

red37 - I've been through an appeal for DLA for my dd. The site recommended further down is very good - gives you a step by step guide.

Dd has heart & mobility problems so I can't comment specifically on the ADHD stuff. If you go to a full appeal you are allowed to send on further evidence. They won't write to anyone, you have to do the legwork but you can send letters from anyone, your GP (ours did a brilliant letter), any support workers you have, or the school.

Dd's consultants letter, whilst very clear on the dx didn't really go into the day-to-day stuff. Also he was a little vague on the mobility side and didn't comment that she was awaiting a stress exercise test at all. During the appeal I commented on this as they had actually placed a lot of weight on that report and it really didn't do her condition justice. You could point out the vagueness of the report and the contradictions and back that up with other letters of support. I personally don't think that the form the DWP supply to the consultants helps - it allows then confirm the dx doesn't really give the opportunity to convey the effects on the child which is what the claim is based on.

I'm glad that you have someone to help you - it can be a bit demoralising and you need some support. Dd's took almost a year to get sorted from first application but the back-payment was lovely.

Good luck

jambuttie · 12/03/2006 09:51

I have just applied for the 1st time for dt2

not sure how long i have to wait for a response but fingers crossed it will be soon

Original poster
red37 · 12/03/2006 11:25

Thanks everyone for your kind wishes and support, Yeh they have told me to do the groundwork myself in collecting evidence.
I am going to be getting in touch with his previous school tommorow and his learning mentor for any documents to support our claim.
I will let you know how I am gettimg on in the next few weeks.
Thanks again x

OP posts:
Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 12/03/2006 11:33

Red - did you keep any sort of diary when you made your claim? We were advised to make a note of everything we did over say, a week, and comment on how different/more time consumiong etc it is with a child with a condition as opposed to one without. It is really time consuming I know but at our appeal I went through a day of it with the panel and it did have a real impact.

Original poster
red37 · 12/03/2006 11:41

Thanks, I didnt think of that.Smile
I have been jotting down various incidents within home and school.

OP posts:
nathollyandmatthew · 12/03/2006 18:20

good luck
we applied 2 months ago for DLA and they have made a decision on my son and we should get the letter 2morrow, i have a feeling we will get refused, but will keep fighting it, matthew requires so much more help than a child hes age, no experience with ADHD, Good luck to you

Original poster
red37 · 14/03/2006 11:39

nathollyandmathew
how did you get on
hope it was good newsSmile

OP posts:
lars · 14/03/2006 11:51

Hi red37, supporting evidence is the key. Also if he doesn't show challanging behaviour why has the consultant chosen medication for your ds? doesn't make sense and I suppose he only saw him for 20 minutes or less. Report from schools and all the evidence you can find. If it's not ADHD why has he medicated him?

This Doctor really has really not supported you, I would contact him and arrange appointment to find out why is he on medication if doesn't feel his behaviour warrants it. Good luck larsxx

nathollyandmatthew · 14/03/2006 13:51

not heard anything yet, so frustrating that i know they know but wont tell me i need to wait for the letter

been told matthew is entitled to higher rate as he requires care day and night due to his apnoeas, feeding, medicatons etc, but if he gets middle i dont want to seem greedy and say its not good enough

hoping to have the letter by end of week now, got letter from them last week and took a week so looks like this one could be the same

fingers crossed for me though

Original poster
red37 · 19/03/2006 08:03

Thanks lars - phoned his secretary the other day, asked for copies of all past appointments, got upsetAngry, he was suppose to phone back, told secretary that I am not happy with outcome of his report to DLA.
I am not giving up.
nhm-have you heard anything yet?

OP posts:
Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 19/03/2006 09:28

nathollyandmatthew - check your bank account - sometimes you get the money before the letter!

nathollyandmatthew · 19/03/2006 19:52

matthew has been awarded the higher rate for care, which im very pleased about he has been given it for 2 years though hoping by then he will have outgrown most of his probs

i didnt get any help with the for either just glad we dont have to go through the whole appeal process

hope everyone else gets good news

love nat

Original poster
red37 · 19/03/2006 21:49

greatSmile

OP posts:
Original poster
red37 · 10/04/2006 08:47

Meet up with rep tommorow to submit evidence, 8 days to appeal.

OP posts:
Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 10/04/2006 08:53

Good luck - will be thinking about you.