DLA forms REALLY need some help/advice on how to fill these in....

[Wonderland121]

Am men't to be filling in the DLA forms for dd, I just don't know how best to lay these out.

Can anyone suggest an easy way to do this, ok its never going to be easy but is there some sort of simple system i can use to fill these in?

Obviously its going on to seperate paper as i can no way at all fit it onto the form, I have been trying to use the cerebra guide online, although its fab cause it has some great examples and things to think about, it doesn't seem to fir with the form i have? if that makes sense.

Any help, examples or a system would really help me right now as i think i am going to be here for the next 12 months doing this.

bump

Here you go... excellent guide, just download.

www.cerebra.org.uk/English/getinformation/publications/Pages/DLAGuide.aspx

Sorry... just read that you already have this.

When I do mine, I tackle it it chunks, then put it away... less daunting this way.

Thank you, i have just printed the guide off and am going through it now, do i need to point out on the form what a NT child could do compared to dd etc?

or should i just stick to the area's where dd struggles and put examples of what dd needs/can't do and why?

I compared... it was relatively easy for me to do this as I have twins, one dx with ASD at 3.5, so if your dd has siblings then perhaps you can too.

Yes - do focus on what she can't do and what she struggles with. I crossed referenced the questions onto separate sheets to give plenty of examples.

Remember it's all about your dd care needs in comparison to another child of similar age, so it's important to give plenty of examples.

For example - my ds (4.11) cannot be left unsupervised in the toilet as he blocks the sink plug hole with toilet roll (we hide the plug as he would flood the bathroom, otherwise) then runs the taps (he has an obsession with water).

Thank you Awomensworth its hard, 1 thing dd has no sense of danger at all inside or outside so needs constant supervision.

I do have a ds so will compare to him as much as i can, he is older.

I feel i will be here for a few weeks yet trying to do this, did you bullet point or put into normal sentences?

Then you need to give plenty of example of her lack of danger, relevant to each question... do not worry about repeating anything.

I wrote short examples in bulet point style, sometimes a few, sometimes lots depending on the question. Keep them short and sweet. Long waffly sentences will get lost in translation so to speak.

I stand by my advice to just do a few questions at a time then leave it for a few days. If I remeber it took me around 8 weeks to do my first one, and there were approx an additional 20 pages of example, along with a detailed 48 hr diary entry. Remember that you are focusing on the negatives and this will take it's toll emotionally.

My ds was awarded DLA within 4 weeks of them receiving the forms.

Hi Download the form, Can put it on PDF, take your time, can then share with with some one too help you, School may have a support group,
Did some some time ago, shared with 3 people , if you do this do not put personal detail on form when sharing, last one we did was for Two Children and was successfull.
Best too do a dummy form 1st. on down loaded forms also can print off.
Blocked sink's our's flooded the house last night just managed too get the electrics back on.

Sorry forgot too say , sent as much supporting evidence you feel relevent,
off GP, Paediatrics , statement, OT, Physio, SENCO, Etc will speed
things up also contact Numbers, school and above.
Our's just got back sent 14 days ago.
Mobility is not just about walking its about ability too perform at the leval of a normal child, Can run off, needs support assistence, no road sence, no stranger danger, distracted easerly etc etc

Short and sweet definitely. Bullet points.
I pointed out everything Toad can't do and sent as much evidence as possible.

I sent his Statement, last Paed report, CAMHS reports etc.

One word of advice. Keep a copy of the completed form. DWP 'lost' Toads first form and I had to send another in. They found the first form when the second arrived.

12 weeks of missing forms and phone calls but it got there in the end.

I'm different to everyone else. I like to plod through it and get it out the way. Took me 3 hours and a lot of tea.

Got a 5 year award of HRC/LRM to take him to 16 so I'm happy.

I use quite detailed paragraphs, not short and sweet at all.

Lougle - why did you feel the need to have pop at my "not short and sweet" comment?

Why not just say, I wrote quite detailed paragraphs! I really don't undestand what you stand to gain by trying to belittle my comment. Is there some sort of hyerarchy on SN section than I'm unaware of?

OP asked for opinions. We both gave them, I am presuming since we both acheived our aim of being awarded DLA for our child, then both our opinions are valid... No.

Goodness, Awomansworth I wasn't belittling your comment at all! I was just posting that I used detailed paragraphs, which weren't short and sweet at all....it was actually personalclown's post which I read before mine.

I was unable to post a more lengthy explanation because I was dealing with 5 children under the age of 8. Nothing more, nothing less.

I'm baffled that you would attack my one sentence and in doing so claim that I have:

-belittled your specific post
-invoked the power of a hierachy
-invalidated your opinion

I must be pretty amazing if I managed to do that in one sentence which actually didn't refer to your post at all and in fact was prompted by PersonalClown's "Short and sweet definitely. Bullet points."

I would add that if you find that your child is better (significantly) on some days than others, then it might be helpful to explain the differences:

On a usual day, DD manages 20m before she trips stumbles or falls. On a better day, she may even manage 25 metres, although she gets tired as a result of the effort. On a worse day, she struggles even with 20m. On the very worst days she can't walk at all and we have to use a buggy.

On average, DD would have 1 better day and 2 worse days per week.

I found this helpful when describing walking and sleep. That way I felt that I was completely honest and if challenged, would be able to point out that I had documented the fact that she sometimes had 'better days'. It also gave a fuller picture to the decision maker of what DD 'looked like'.

She was still awarded HRC/HRM.

Thank you for all the fantastic advice it really is helping.

I have followed the Cerebra guide as best i can so far it has some great points and has made me look at a lot more angles of things dd struggles with, sometimes its hard to remember everything and not forget certain bits.

We are waiting to see Cahms,SALT & EP should we wait till this has happened before filling in these forms?

Dd has seen the Paediatrician who has referred to the above people and we have a Report from the Pead, the GP has only seen Dd once at the beginning, however the SENCO and school nurse are involved and have seen Dd and she has 1 on 1 at school at present.

It's all so confusing, trying to do what is best for Dd at the moment & waiting seems to be the only option we have right now.

Thank you Lougle, I think i will do that as dd has some better days, at the moment i have gone by her worst days but i do feel i need to point out that some days she is a little better in some aspects than she is on other days, if that makes sense.

We have on this report, Significant anxieties resulting in physical symptoms and obsessive tendencies, language delay, low self esteem, bilateral intoeing and behavioural .

Should we go ahead and carry on with the DLA forms or wait for the appointments going by the above?

Sorry i know i sound clueless as actually i probably am as this is all very new to us at present.

Thank you.

No appointment dates yet, did sign a form through her school for SALT but am waiting on Cahms and the EP not heard anything as of yet, this was done in December with the paediatrician so probably going to be a while yet.

I think i might try to call the Paediatrician next week and see what she thinks it was her who mentioned the Dla to us. Actually calling Cerebra might help, can you get help from the CAB?

Thank you for your help Starfish i am sure i will be back