DLA - how does that work?

[TICKLETUMBLE]

I have noticed a number of posts about DLA for children that are ASD, ADHD etc.

What is the DLA designed to cover for these special needs children?
What 'evidence' do you need? Must there be a diagnosis in place first?

Just been told pretty certain ASD, possibly with comorbid ADHD and awaiting ADOS assessment, so mow looking at what formal support we can call upon to help us.

thanks in advance!

You don't need a diagnosis, though information from professionals does help.

There's a care component at 3 levels and a mobility component at 2 levels - they're designed to cover the additional costs associated with these things. You don't get asked what those costs are, but you do get asked about care needs, needs outside the home etc. - in excruciating detail.

Most of the support needed costs time rather than money...someone has to be around and available just to get the daily routine done, get to school having washed, dressed and eaten etc. Keeping an eye on DS when out etc, needs additional support for school trips, events etc. which means having jobs that work around school hours, taking time out of work and so on......I guess that has a cost to it, but its indirect, and if we did not do it then someone would have to be paid to do it...
interesting.

I think that's true for a lot of people. For DS1, we end up spending a lot of money on replacing trashed clothes, and at one point, shoes that had jumped in a deep, stagnant puddle one too many times. DS2's a stripper, so it pays to keep the heating on in winter etc

PolterGoose and Ourve thank you for your descriptions of how the funds help....I was thinking I had to refer to specific costs for services or quantify the cost of what we do just to get through the day in money terms which would be pretty difficult!
I understand what the DLA is supporting now, it makes sense.
thank you!

there's forms online if you want to have a look at one, though it's best to phone and ask for one because your claim is backdated to the request, then. If you fill one out online, it's only paid from the date of receipt.

And I can recommend the cerebra guide for what is needed for each question. The forms sometimes vary in the order that questions are asked, but the principles are all the same. You need to demonstrate how your child is different from their peers.

You can use it for additional costs that you incur. If you have to escort your child to school on the bus then this costs you more money as you have to pay for your tickets too; one to one childcare is expensive; clothes with stretchy waist bands are expensive as they are only available in a few places; adapted cutlery; extra shoes as they knacker them quicker than other children.

The cerebra guide is good. There's things on there that you don't realise that you do.

You just get on with it and it feels 'normal' if you can see what I mean. It's only when you stop and think, then you realise that you shouldn't be doing x,y, and z as they should be able to do it themselves.

had a go at filling it in...........pretty upsetting really to consider the number of minutes of additional time spent supporting DS just doing the stuff other kids can do with ease.

Is it a big no no to not have a person that knows DS give a statement in support of DLA?? No idea who I would ask...teachers are reluctant at best of times, 1:1 TA seems to not know DS at all despite working with him for 2 years...he stopped going to clubs as they could not cope with him being over exuberant and non compliant so no one independent to ask really.

I didn't fill that bit in this time. The paediatrician didn't reply either (she told me on Monday). I did send reports from 2 different doctors though. My neighbour filled the 'person who knows your child' in last time but we had to apply again as they said no.

The paper form is better. If you get it to them in a reasonable amount of time they will backdate the claim to the date that they sent you the form. They won't do this with an online form.

There's a bit in there which asks what you would be able to do, which you can't currentlt, if you were to receive the money. We listed local asd support clubs, a beavers out the area with asd support, a sitter for his sibling so he could attend mainstream football with me there.

We got a statement from his breakfast club supervisor - was very basic but helped.

And little things like school clothes having to be washed daily due to not remembering to wee on time, shoes that get wrecked due to the way he is, they take that into account too.

Our money has meant a world of difference to us. We only get lowest amount of care and mobility (we are v. Lucky to have no night needs) but it has opened doors to so much support for him and has really helped me get him into clubs etc further out or specialist that as a single working parent I wouldn't have been able to afford. Some places also see dla as the green light to services and support.