Really struggling with Dd1's Dla form.

[SparklyGothKat]

She has mild CP which makes her wobbly and ADHD. Its so hard...

Try Cerebra's DLA guide here: www.cerebra.org.uk/parent_support/DLA_guide.htm

Remember to focus on how your daughter's needs differ from those of another child of the same age without special needs. Your aim is to prove that she needs additional support that other children don't.

Don't write on the form, apart from the personal details section. They give you unrealistic amounts of space in which to explain very complicated aspects of your child's disability (eg, a couple of inches for 'behavioural difficulties' isn't going to be enough for a child with autism - mine went to 4 pages of A4). Instead type it in Word using the same headings so that the assessors can get the information in the same order. For frequency and duration, write 'as needed', 'throughout' etc to indicate that she could require help at any time day or night.

Include copies of medical reports, dx etc. Also make a list of appointments you've been to in the last couple of months, including phone calls you've made, journey times etc. Remember, this is all about what you have to do that other parents don't have to for their child.

Focus on the difficulties. Avoid explaining how you get round them as this tends to minimise the problem. Include how her condition impacts on the rest of the family and any respite arrangements (however slight) to enable you to have a life outside of caring for her.

HTH.

There are people who can help you, please don't struggle with it alone. Try CAB or if you have a local disability service or a welfare rights worker. Sometimes the people working with your child can help with these. There are also guides online:
www.bhas.org.uk/freeguides/dla-child-physicalgrounds.pdf

You may also need to look at the guidelines for mentalhealth grounds because some of that advice (not noticing danger etc) may ring bells with the adhd side. www.bhas.org.uk/freeguides/dla-child-mentalgrounds.pdf

don't know why i am finding it hard, its the 3rd review and DS1 is also on DLA for crerbral palsy and he was awarded it till he is 16 last year..

Sparkly it is hard, but worth it!
DS2 has mild CP & ASD, just ahd his review decision back & they have kept it the same - high mobility mid rate care
Is there anything in particular you are struggling with?

just worrried that they will stop the motability part because she can walk, but falls lots. She has a statement, should I include a copy of that?

DS2 can walk unaided, he wears DAFO's & falls & can only walk short distances.
They asked for reports from the GP, school & his paed.
I was worried that they would reduce the mobility to low rate now that he's turned 5 but they kept it the same.
TBH I think the ASD & his severe anxiety hinder his mobility just as much.
I would include a copy of her statement if you think it supports what you have written on the form.
It may save them writing to the school!
Good luck

lol, mymatemax, i remember helping you with your son's dla form. I am fine doing ds1's form as he has modarate cp, but dd1's problems are so complex

Thanks for your help sparkly. DS2 is complex too, lots of mild conditions, I guess they add a up to one big one, do they?
It would be easier if you could write " X behaves in such a way because of a dx of y" but is not that simple.
According to ds2's paed he is a complex mixed up bag of tricks!