Globally delayed 2 and a half year old, dla and blue badge advice.

[Mytwoboysandme]

Hello, my first post here, my son has just turned two and a half, he has been diagnosed with being globally developmentally delayed. I’m after some advice if anyone in a similar situation has claimed dla or got approved for a blue badge.

He has no communication at present, no pointing at anything or sounds to mean things, he lacks basic understanding or simple instruction and has learnt commands by repition rather than understanding for example get your shoes, or close the door. He has a speech and language therapist but are appointments seem to be so spaced out.

Now mobility, he can walk, he learnt at nearlly 20 Months. He will walk in the house but is unbalanced, he refuses most of the time to walk outside, if he does if will only be about 10 steps and that’s it. I struggle with him in car parks as he has an obsession with cars and likes to go towards them, however he has no concept of danger. (Is this grounds for a blue badge)

He stumbles and falls alot which has resulted in a chipped tooth, he requires someone to be near him at all times when he is moving around to avoid falling.

Has anyone with a child similar applied for either bit of help and recieved it? I think the blue badge would be more helpful than dla, but would a successful claim make a blue badge easier?

This is all new to me and the HV said there was no harm in applying but it’s all a mindfield to me and I have no idea where to start or what to write.

Thank you for any responses.

I have a child that had a lot of similarities at that age and he got middle rate care dla just before he was 3.
The earliest you would be eligible for a bb would be when he turns 3. If he got high rate mobility under either virtually unable to work or severe mental impairment criteria he would qualify automatically but they are difficult to get.
You can also apply to the council for a bb without hrm and whether you got one can vary from council to council but it is worth a try.

Have a look at the cerebra guide to filling in the dla form. We use that as a model.

This may be useful-

contact.org.uk/media/1159555/dla_for_children_with_learning_difficulties.pdf

It might be worth applying for DLA for care needs, but, based on what you describe, I think it's highly unlikely he will qualify for mobility rate DLA or a blue badge. It is absolutely normal for a 2 year old to need close and careful supervision in a car park, and it is absolutely normal for a 2 year old to be in a buggy where they are not safe or able to walk.

My boy got a bb at 5 without hrm but he was still in a buggy and had piedro boots and my council seem more likely to give them than others. They will look for physical disability rather than delay in younger children.