ADHD and DLA

[RudolphLovesoftplay]

Hi everyone, I am new to this board (normally hang about in adoption!!) but my son has been provisionally diagnosed by his paediatrician as having ADHD (this is to go alongside his attachment disorder). This has probably been asked a million times, but I am on my phone and can't search properly.

Can I claim any DLA for him? He needs some equipment for school and home, and we will buy it regardless but was wondering if we could get any help towards it?

Apologies in any typos, grammar etc

It's probably worthwhile putting in a claim. Every case is assessed individually and it's based on how much extra help/support/supervision the child needs, not just the diagnosis. It's not means tested and they won't consider whether you need the money or what you need it for.

You'll need to show that he requires significantly more attention or supervision compared to a non-disabled child of the same age, or a different type of attention. For example, if he needs a lot more prompting than a non-disabled child of the same age to do things like get dressed or sit down to eat a meal, that would be taken into account. Or if it takes him longer to do things because of his ADHD, or if he needs to be discouraged from inappropriate behaviour (more often than a NT child of the same age). Or (if he's over five years old), if he needs more supervision when walking outdoors than a child of that age would normally need - for example, if he needs his hand held all the time to stop him running into the road.

It will help if he has a statement and/or if you can get evidence from the nursery/school showing that he needs (receives) extra support with learning and/or behaviour.

It's important to put lots of detail on the claim forms to spell things out, giving examples of incidents/problems.

If in any doubt, go for it - or contact an advice service to talk it through and maybe they can help you with the form.

Yes read the guidelines that come with form too. It's a good prompt for things you would forget. Like my son walking along curbs. Even in busy traffic, I could only remember 1/4 of the bonkers things he does - like tipping every meal all himself and not being to use cutlery :0(

Thanks everyone, good advice there :) He is young to be diagnosed at 5, but he almost trashed the paediatrician's office when doing an assessment, so I think she was aware we weren't exaggerating!! It's really hard because other parents look at me like I should be controlling him, but it's like trying to contain a hurricane to a wind sock. Bless him, he makes me laugh though

I have wondered this myself, ds is 7 presumed ADHD by pead with lots of sensory needs, predominately seeking. Also shows LOTS of inappropriate behaviour we are awaiting CAHMS at the moment. Ds is in the most part fine at school no longer on IEP but the set up at school is so laid back I don't think they see a lot ifykwim. I downloaded the cerebra guide and had a read through but tbh I don't know HOW to compare ds to the average 7 year old as I don't know what the average is or what they should and shouldn't be doing.

Hi, I saw an old friend today who has just been awarded top DLA for her son with ADHD. He is quite a bit worse than my DS, but gives me hope.

I have a ds who has a dx of adhd. I can't think why I would need to claim dla. In what way can it help? What kind of equipment do you need.

I have a ds who has a dx of adhd. I can't think why I would need to claim dla. In what way can it help? What kind of equipment do you need?

He needs constant supervision to stop him hurting himself, I can't leave the room even for 2mins without him coming with me. I could pay for some respite care for that.

He needs to be constantly active, so in winter I pay a fortune for activities to stop him trashing the house or hurting his brother.

We have been advised to get him swimming, horse riding, and rugby lessons to learn control. It could pay for that.

He has bits at school like a wobble mat, and fidgets which would be good if we could buy for home.

He constantly spills things and breaks stuff, we could replace some bits in our house.

You shouldn't feel the need to justify yourself, Rudolph.

Thanks ouryve, I guess I've got used to it over the years

You definitely shouldn't need to justify yourself, my ds doesn't need constant supervision but DLA would definitely come in handy for him for lots of reasons.

Hi I'm awaiting a decision on a DLA claim for my son who also has ADHD. He sounds just the same as yours lol. Trashes the place breaks things, harasses me until I drop everything to do what he wants, he's 18 months behind in school, has speech and language difficulties, can't leave him unsupervised as he most likely will end up hurting himself or his younger brothers etc etc. ill let you know whether or not I'm awarded with DLA as I should imagine you will be entitled aswell if I am :)

I wasn't asking to justify yourself. I was wondering how you could claim. I'm so used to paying for the extras that I didn't think about it before. But, like your son my ds has extra expenses - such as sports classes to use some of that boundless energy, tuition because he is so behind at school etc. I guess why I'm reluctant is it not as obvious as other disabilities (plus I like to think of adhd more as an additional need rather than a disability). And I wonder how many parents without dx are paying for these.