DLA - feeling weird about applying

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DD1 was diagnosed with ASC last August, age 4. Recent assessment for her EHCP form at school puts her development (now almost 5) largely in the 22-36 month range, some in 8-20 months. We have been encouraged by Autism services and a relative who has an adult child with SN to apply for DLA.

After printing the form off over 3 months ago, after much prodding from DH I've now filled it in, but I feel really weird about it.

Does anyone else apply for/receive DLA for a child with ASC?

Medee Mon 11-Mar-19 12:11:40
have started our application today - not expecting more than the lowest amount, but spurred on by others and a recent seizure, has prompted me to do it.

Well it took me over three months but I finally sent off our application this week!

Yes I do! My ds was diagnosed at 3 years and 4 months with ASD, before that he was diagnosed with global development delay. I started to claim when he was around 2 years 8 months (so before ASD diagnosis). I was also wary about claiming but my HV pointed out that it was detrimental not to as nursery could access additional access funds to go towards 121 support if he was receiving it. We now pay nearly £1k a month on private SALT and the DLA contributes to that outlay. I would suggest getting in touch with a local charity to help fill your form as there are certain buzz words/ways of cross referencing to your supporting documents that will aid your case. Also remember to copy the whole lot as it’s handy to have for when you have to re new 2 years later. Good luck!

Fab! We applied 1st time this year and were awarded. I had no idea until a professional gently nudged us in that direction. It will help us a lot with basics and additional stuff like dyslexia tutor and sensory/exercise stuff - all sorts. We had got used to high level of caring over years so it was shock to see it all written down.

Please apply, don't be put off by feeling weird.

Skybadger website also has a great guide and we used cerebra.

I had no idea you could apply without a diagnosis. My son has been waiting for an ASD assessment since February. The more times goes on the more I think he is autistic, albeit high functioning.

He does require more help and a supervision when out and about because if he got separated from me, he wouldn’t be able to answer questions like “where’s your mummy?”, “what does she look like?” I guess these things are all relevant?

I should add, he’s 4y2m. Thanks for the Cerebra recommendation upthread, I’ve bookmarked that.

DS was awarded DLA without a diagnosis of anything. He had just turned 3yo when we applied, he was awarded DLA for 2 years, and he got his ASD diagnosis at 3.4yo. When we re-applied, he was awarded it for another 5 years. The overwhelming feeling I had when I read that he was awarded it for 5 years was relief that it would be five years before I had to fill in that bloody awful form again. It took me about 20 hours fill it in and get the paperwork all in one place and copied. Not to mention the emotion of it all.

But absolutely worth applying for as I think we get about £80-100 per week for DS.

My DS's award runs until he turns 12 (he's 5) which is a relief.

But for some reason they want me to renew every 2 years for my DD, which always seems comes around quickly.

There seems to be no logic to the length of time they award for?

Hello, it took them a while, but we got our DLA award; personal at low but zero mobility. I'm planning to request a reconsideration of that. I'm ok with personal at low but I think as she has both epilepsy and ADHD she does need more supervision than a child of her age. The epilepsy is evolving which is another reason to request a reconsideration.

Any tips?

Update: both elements upgraded on request for reconsideration.