Another DLA quesiton - development delay in just-turned-one year old - any ideas on what I should say?

[mm22bys]

Hi,

I am considering applying for DLA for my DS2 who turned one on Monday.

I don't know what to say in the form as it seems to me that I don't actually do that more for him at this age than I did for DS1.

He has GDD, moderate hearing loss in his right ear, profound in his left, and he has delayed visual maturation.

He can't crawl or walk.

I feed him, carry him everywhere, and he's not toilet-trained.

I have to watch him alot because I can't leave him unattended as he just rolls on to his back and does a funny wriggle-thing.

I have to take him to lots of specialists appointments, and to physio and OT, and I do a home-based therapy program twice a day that takes 20 minutes, and in between I do stretches and weight-bearing exercises, vision stimulating exercises, and positioning.

When I put this down on the form it doesn't sound that bad, but it takes up nearly all day every day, especially when you add in the feeding , personal care, and sleeping.

What do you think, anyone have any ideas on whether it would be worth my while even applying at this stage?

Yes you should definately apply. You do loads more for him than for an average one year old. Think of all that time taken up doing the physio and attending the appointments.

My son has some of the same problems ie. gdd and eye problems. I have just reapplied as he is coming up to three years old. Both times it went through without a problem.

Go to the Cerebra website as they have a free and very extensive guide to filling in the form that you can download or they will post to you.

Do you have a community nurse or other healthcare professional that could help you with the form?

You do loads more for your DS than you would an 'average' child (which is what DLA will compare it too.
It sounds loads to me (just like our first DLA from!!)
You feel like it's not a lot because you're his mum, and you do it out of love. You have both 'grown up' with it and now it feels normal.
Definately apply. And as amazonwarrior said, Cerebra have a great booklet that you can download which should help.
Good luck!