My two year old is at the start of the assessment process for possible autism (which seems to be very likely). I've sent off for a DLA form but am unsure if I should fill it in yet or wait for his medical reports etc to backup the claim? Has anyone on here filled in the form before diagnosis and received DLA?
I've got the Cerebra guide which says that the DLA is needs based rather than diagnosis based but wonder if I would have a better chance of him getting the DLA if I wait for the medical evidence?
He has been seen by speech therapy who have put him on the waiting list for PECs as he has almost no understanding of our speech and speaks only a couple of words (mama, dada, no, up) although he babbles continually. He doesn't point so understanding his needs is very difficult and he has many tantrums due to this. Being out and about is very difficult as he has to be confined to his buggy unless we're in a large open safe space as he bolts in the opposite direction to us and is oblivious to other people and traffic. Reins are just as awkward as he only wants to walk away from us rather than with us. Luckily we got o an autism toddler group and a portage toddler group where he can let off steam and play. At night, we have to sit with him until he nods which can take hours otherwise he becomes distressed and he is regularly awake during the night, taking forever to settle back down as he thinks it is party time.
I'm pondering on filling it in now based on the things that make him much harder work than other two year olds and then sending in the medical reports as we receive them. Any ideas on the types of things to point out on the form would be appreciated. Many thanks.