DLA advice and a bit about School Action plus

[WedgiesMum]

DS (who is 8)has a dx of HFA with a high level of demand avoidance. He is in Y4 mainstream and is a big strong boy (over 5 ft tall). Since he started school I have had to give up a very well paid job to work term time only as a teaching assistant as he can't tolerate anyone looking after him other than me for longer than about an hour. I am currently looking to further reduce my working hours, and possibly my status within the profession (am an HLTA) - and my pay again! - because my working pattern is causing him too much stress and he is having difficulty actually going into school unless I am there. He cannot attend any after or out of school activity unless he is accompanied by me because he can't manage his own temper in those situations and cannot go to family/social occasions without extreme watching - if stressed he runs off and I have to tackle him and wrestle him to safety (even simple trips to swimming pool, park etc). At the moment he is in a really bad place with himself, very unhappy, and spends most nights in bed with me just so that he can sleep at all. Do you think I can apply for the lowest rate of DLA. Don't mind if you think 'no' it's just somebody suggested it might help us financially and I thought I'd consult the experts!!!

Also re: School Action Plus. DS been on this since 2005. At current school he has no support at all. No little groups or help in class at all - although currently they are doing a PHSE topic on controlling anger 'for him'. I am underwhelmed to say the least. Surely this isn't right? I am thumping a few tables atm and got all our professionals involved as well as parent partnership but just though a little straw poll might give me some ammo when we go to a Multi Element Plan meeting in a couple of weeks that I have had to get nasty to implement. He is so bad with his reactions and behaviour that his learning is suffering and they have threatened permanent exclusion (although I don't think they can do that if his behaviours are due to autistic reactions because they are not helping him in school). My poor boy weeps most evenings atm because he is so unhappy .

Thanks for reading if you got this far - I don't know I hardly post in months and months then come in with a huge request!

still at early stages of diagnostic process so others will have more knowledge - but would say absolutely yes, yes, yes to applying for DLA, as you lad needs care over and above an NT child of the same age. In term of school action plus - apply for a statement to get him better support in school. Only a statemetn will guarantee the school will give him a set level of support.

has your ds got a statement?

I am waiting for the dla forms to arrive, the multi-disciplinary team that are involved with my ds are encouraging me to apply - ds has an early years support teacher, who is coming to help me fill in the forms... my ds is only just coming up for 4 but has one to one at nursery... we don't have a diagnosis yet.

it sounds like you could do with a lot more help and support for your ds, I hope some people with more experience can help you.

Thanks for propmpt replies!

No statement. As he has had no real help at SA+ we won't get anywhere with a statutory assessment until that level of support has been properly tried because there has been no evidence to support it NOT working IYSWIM.

who told you that? doesn't sound right to me as some kids go straight into school with a statement. i would call ipsea for advice (www.ipsea.org.uk).

Yes obsolutely apply for DLA, I cant see you being turned down, I get middle rate for ds who has AS.

Yeah go for the DLA

Request a statement as a parent, then fight like hell to get one.

Because once the statement is written they have to deliver what is in it.

Hi wedgiesmum.

Re your comment:-

"No statement. As he has had no real help at SA+ we won't get anywhere with a statutory assessment until that level of support has been properly tried because there has been no evidence to support it NOT working IYSWIM".

You have been badly misled here. As you have sadly learnt no statement equals no support. I think you personally have more than enough evidence to show that SA plus is not working but you do not need to prove its ineffectiveness in order to obtain a statement.

There is actually nothing to stop you writing to the LEA and asking for your son to be assessed with a view to getting a Statement.

They will likely say no in which case you can appeal their decision. Also you as his parents need to apply - do not let the school go anywhere near a Statement application (as they have no such right of appeal).

IPSEA are very good at the whole minefield that is statementing and there are model letters on their website you can use. www.ipsea.org.uk is where I suggest you start (they also have information re exclusions, I note your son has been threatened with permanent exclusion). Statements can take six months to set up and they are difficult to obtain. You will need to fight and be persistant to obtain one.

I would also contact the National Autistic Society, SOS;SEN and IPSEA. The more information you have the better equipped you will be as his Mum to take on the LEA and the DLA people - knowledge is power!.

You are your child's best - and only - advocate.

I definitely second what AttilaTheMeerkat has said. My ds was dx with Aspergers in Year 4. School applied for a Statment and were turned down. This time round (year 8) I applied as a parent and we are currently just waiting to find out if they are going to issue a proposed statement or not. If they don't, I will take the LEA to SENDIST.

I also get middle care DLA and lower rate mobility for my ds. It is horrible having to fill the forms in because you must write about the WORST situation all the time, not the good bits. On the NAS website there is a good walkthrough which will help you fill in the forms.

Welcome back, WM.

I would definitely apply for DLA. My two (ASD/AS) both get higher rate care and lower rate mobility.

Ds1 and ds2 are both on SA+. It's enough for now as they are both well-supported at school. In your situation though I would definitely be applying for a statement. Tbh they sound hopeless with your ds.

Thanks everyone, much appreciated! Will definitely put in an application.

Good to see you coppertop. Can't believe how crap school is being. I deliberately moved him from one horrible school who really let him down and just don't want to believe a school where I used to work and thought would treat him better is making him suffer so much. He was fine in Y3 but since being in Y4 things have really deteriorated and his teacher is the SENCO!!!!!!!

DLA - yes! Say how much time you have to spend with DS and how much help he has to have to get to sleep and you are well on the way. SA+ is only just working for DS - I'm on the brink of statement application, although school have said that they won't support it. Still worth the fight, before he goes to secondary.

Catok

How is it that his school won't support your statement application for your DS?. I'd be bloody furious frankly as well as feeling , they seem really understanding - NOT.

Put in for this yourself asap and be prepared for the LEA to say no. You as his parents have far more power than school does in this regard anyway - you can appeal for a start and the school cannot.

IPSEA's website (www.ipsea.org.uk) have model letters you can use for statement applications and they are also very useful to have on board.

I work in secondary and it is almost unheard of to get in class support unless a child has a statement

We do take them out of classes to do 'circle of friends' type things which can be helpful. But in class support is a rare are hen's teeth.

Sucks

Catok
My pre-school home visitor has told me she will not support my application for statement for my ds, and is actively trying to prevent it. I think it is due to cutting back on statements. My ds2's headteacher has actually told me that there will be no more statements in Redbridge. I suppose only those who know, will apply.
I AM bloody furious about it.
I WILL get a statement for my ds3, I will not send him to school without it. How can I? It doesn't bear thinking about.

Thats a goodie deeeja,

Not sending child to school will soon have the education welfare officer on the plot.

Then when they are threatening court of course you welcome the idea.

Because courts are notoriously less understanding of corner cutting education authorities than they are of themselves.

Eh?
EDUCATION OTHERWISE