DLA and Aspergers Son

[lemonstartree]

Has anyone successfully applied for DLA for a child (he's 13) with Aspergers? it was suggested to me at diagnosis (aged 9) that I should apply but I did not as I didn't really think I was doing that much more for him than for an NT child.

Now at 13, I still have to do a great deal for him (more than for my NT 7 year old) and I cant see it improving at all. Even a small amount of financial help might mean I could get a little help... and that later on, so could he...

and advice ?

DLA guide here

I have read about others who have older children with HFA/AS and have successfully claimed DLA. Hopefully they will be along to offer advice, but in the meantime, have a look at the link above.

I claimed for ds (11) without a dx but lots of AS traits and got it agreed first time. You just need to think about every little thing you do extra e.g reminding him to get washed,getting clothes ready, supervising him when outside - it all adds up.

I successfully applied for DLA for my 9 year old with AS. I used the Cerebra guide to help me fill in the application form.
It was one of the hardest things I ever have done - not because the form was particularly hard, but because it REALLY pointed out all the differences between my son and his peers :(.
I kept a diary for a week before I filled it in, noting the care I had to give DS, things I just normally took for granted - cleaning up around the toilet each time he used it, each thing he 'broke' as he took it to bits for an experiment, each club I took him and had to stay with him when other parents left their child etc etc. It was easy then to say how many minutes it took me each day.
School were happy to fill in their part. I was a bit :( when I read their statement too as they had always said DS was fine, but reading their report he obviously wasn't (Although in fairness the school were dealing with the issues).
I have found the money very useful- replacing things that he has broken, buying him the things his friends have but I would never have bought as too worried he would lose them (e.g I would buy the cheapest PE bag, but now he has one with a logo), just bought a spelling programme as his spelling is appalling etc.

Watching with interest.

I haven't even considered this before but for the same reasons i am now.

I simply can't afford to keep replacing doors.

But I don't want to admit to myself or others that she is different and could really do with a financial hand here and there.

just read the guide... it is very interesting the things that you take for granted. ds is going through dx process looking at asd so initially looked at it with respect to that but dd's needs also featured in one or two of the questions re hypermobility so if that gets worse we will need to be filling one for her too.

I don't feel comfortable thinking about applying. DD is can do so much 'normally' (hate that but DYSWIM?) and so many cjildren are so much more in need.
But......
And if we could it could make her life a bit more comfortable.
But I really don't know if I should.
Damn.
Sorry have hijacked.

I got DLA for ds aged 7, before dx, and several renewals since. He now has it till 16, though I doubt he'll qualify for adult DLA - we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. It's not that his needs are any different, rather that applications for adult DLA are more rigorous.

Read the Cerebra guide - it is excellent as it makes you look at the forms differently and how you answer the questions.

Bear in mind, you'll be so used to managing your child's difficulties that they will feel normal to you, but in comparison with typical children you are undoubtedly doing far more for him than is usual for a child of his age. The Cerebra guide helps you to notice that and phrase answers accordingly.

One tip I'd give is to type your answers in Word and send the whole document as an attachment to the form. This way you can phrase your answers carefully, editing as often as needed until you get it just right. You've also got a digital copy available to refer to for next time.

Good luck.

We applied for DLA for DS when he was about 15, three years after his AS diagnosis. We used the Cerebra guide,and also got a friend who applies for DLA for clients at work, and an adult who gets DLA, who both know DS well, to provide input. School also sent a report to attach to the form. You get so used to the extra things you do that sometimes an outsider's perspective helps.
I must admit that the delay in applying was because of the erroneous advice from a charity that if we had managed without it for so long we wouldn't stand a chance.
Getting a friend with a child of similar age to keep a diary of help given over the same period can also be an eye opener because you will be doing a lot of things automatically.

We applied straight after dx aspergers hes 13 now and got it .....it is amazing how we forget the extra things we do for them compared to a child same age as we are so used to doing it .....