DLA mobility

[JessicaKenny2018]

Is it worth applying for the mobility part of dla for a 3 year old with autism, as far as I can see the virtually unable to walk and behaviour side of things such as melt downs in public and with him trying to hurt himself in public places due to his anxiety wouldn't be taken into account until he is 5.
Am I right or has anyone else applied for a child under 5 with autism?

I think it's worth applying, the worst they can say is no.

If you haven't seen it, there is a really useful guide on completing the form at contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/benefits-financial-help/benefits-and-tax-credits/tips-on-completing-the-dla-form/

Here is a quote from that page:

The notes on page 13 of the form suggest that you should only complete questions 32-34 if your child is aged five or over. But if your child is aged three or four and has severe behavioural problems or refuses to walk, you should fill in these questions. Some children with learning disabilities or autism spectrum disorders can qualify for higher rate mobility because of severe behavioural problems from age three.

It comes under the SMI rules at 3 for mobility but you would need to evidence each point, it's very difficult to get.

Sorry what are smi rules?

It is. I didnt apply and they awarded it anway. I explained about the mobility issues as part of 'care" not thinking it was mobility i was very surprised when j got the letter.

@Grasspigeons is that when your child was 3?

No sorry, i just realised he was older

Thank you

My little boy is at the more severe end of the spectrum, he has a special needs buggy due to his high sensory needs, the amount of meltdowns he was having in public, his refusal to walk, he lays down and violently bangs his head on the floor, he has no danger awareness what so ever, he is also non verbal, he has global developmental delay and is also hyper mobile and hypotonic.

Jessica, you can only try. Many do and fail. DD is severely autistic with severe LDs, she is almost 12 and we only ever got low rate mobility. To get high rate mobility for conditions like autism is very difficult. I don't know anyone in RL who managed that (but plenty who tried). They cannot say more than no so you got nothing to lose.

SMI is the Severe Mental Impairment route.

There is more info here if you scroll down.
www.autism.org.uk/about/benefits-care/benefits/children/dla-mobility-component.aspx?sc_lang=cy-GB

Thank you for all the advice, I started the form last night I absolutely hate filling in these forms

We only got it from age 5 (thus September onwards), at lower rate. My little boy has ASD and needs supervision/help around roads to keep safe. Sometimes he likes to be carried. If he sees birds he would run into the road to chase them. He’s too big for a buggy so we just have to be on hyper alert and avoid birds if possible!

Hi @Jemimapuddleduk when we got the buggy from wheelchair services they told us if his needs didn't change by the time he outgrew his buggy they would look into providing a wheelchair not sure if all areas are the same though

Cerebra's guide to DLA is (IMO) the best for applying from an SMI perspective. cerebra.org.uk/download/disability-living-allowance-dla-guide/