Should I claim DLA for recently diagnosed ASC son?

[lavenderpekins]

Hello my ds was diagnosed two weeks ago with ASC - its quite mild. He's almost 8. Never intended to claim dla as i knew he'd be mild. However i can't say a bit of extra cash wouldn't be useful for him. I suppose i'm asking whether we'd actually be entitled to it and whether we should as we've survived so far.. There's a charity apparently (amaze) and they help you fill out forms. This is all quite new to me! Thanks!

No harm in applying. I never thought i'd get any for DS as I thought of him as quite mild too, but once I started filling in the forms (I got help from a charity too, DEFINITELY do this!) I realised how much extra I did for him. I ended up getting the Highest Rate and Lower Rate Mobility too!

The extra cash has made a big difference to us. Even if you get nothing, it's worth applying, I think.

The form is huge and complicated, and I think a lot of people find it quite hard going, as it really does make you see and face up to all the problems you have with your DS. Good luck!

Agree with Sahkoora, its worth making an application, plus there are lots of charities and funds that will help with all sorts of things like holidays, replacing stuff etc. I'd recommend getting expert help to complete the form as they need to be award of specific things that you may take for granted as you support with this on a daily basis. Good luck!

oops award = aware !!

Yes apply. I felt the same - indeed until he got the DLA at 9 I didn't think of him as disabled (he has SLD ASD and ADHD). However once we got the award it was helpful for all those things that you couldn't afford before -that your child needs and the NHS rations- (such as OT and SALT that the NHS doesn't provide for children diagnosed too late (OT) or still nonverbal preschool ) and the costly sensory equipment! The first back payment went a waterproof duvet which made life a little easier!

Thanks very much for the response! I'll definitely look into it further! Can I ask what you find it most helpful for? I'm not sure he needs OT.. victoryinthekitchen what are these charities which help with holidays etc? We're not going on holiday this year!

I expect it is different for each of us. Because I cannot work much due to ds needs, finances were very tight before DLA. I find it helps us afford to have extra bedding and school clothes because ds is very messy and clumsy and chews or damages things. It helped us buy a more expensive bigger capacity washing machine (not dry at night) when the old second hand one failed. It helps with more expensive swimming lessons (ds cannot cope in a big group or with school). Ds needed some sensory equipment which is all quite expensive, as are some of the specialist courses for ASD especially when travel and childcare are needed. Obviously not all at once but over the years. I know of many who pay for individual or small group swimming lessons and other sports.
If you get DLA at the medium rate or above it can help with other things such as discounts for carers (important when young people are older but still need a carer with them). Our local farm attraction for instance doesn't charge for a carer and charges ds only at the lowest winter rate, - ds often cannot cope for long so it means we can still go occasionally, and if we have to leave after only an hour or so its not quite so tragic! Some attractions do not give discounts but have specialist queue arrangements for those who cannot queue such as texting when its almost your turn.
A few years ago ds was able to join a specialist riding course run for children with ASD and ADHD. It was subsidised and intended for children who needed extra support and could not join in with MS clubs. It was absolutely brilliant for ds who showed the first signs of empathy for the horse he got to know. It was good for his balance too. Most of these things are locally run initiatives but the DLA award paper is handy to prove eligibility for some things.