Are children with autism awarded the mobility component often?

[Lefmry]

My son didn’t get it when we first applied as he was only 3 but now he’s nearly 6 I’ve sort of really tried to explain how hard it is when we’re out of the house in the renewal.

Refusing to walk, needing to be restrained in a stroller still, when he isn’t he will run off, no danger awareness whatsoever, obsessions with stairs has to walk up and down them constantly, spins for ages and due to spinning has fallen and needed X-rays on his arm when we suspected he had broken it and on one occasion needed stitches underneath his chin as he span so much he fell on to a metal bed frame. Both things were so traumatic as he screamed and had a continuous meltdown throughout the entire hospital stay/appointment. We also have an arrangement with his school where we’ve had permission to use the staff carpark and he is dropped off in the reception area so we don’t need to park far away and then walk across the playground with him as he just point blank refuses. His teacher has written and backed this up in the renewal too as part of our evidence.

Do they take things like this in to consideration with mobility component? Just wondering.

Yes they take all the evidence of his needs into consideration.

Many DC with autism can have needs that make them eligible for the mobility component of DLA. Many of those who are eligible for the mobility component receive low rate mobility. A smaller proportion receive high rate mobility.

We receive low rate. (Although DS is getting better when out and about, so we'll probably lose it at the next renewal.)

Basically, we got it because DS has very poor focus around traffic so can be a danger to himself. He also regularly had very physical meltdowns when out and about and we had to hold him fast to keep him safe.

Sounds a lot like my son although he’s probably a lot worse! 😩 There have been days he refuses to even walk from the front door of our house to the car! He also just has absolutely zero awareness of danger or even any awareness of his environment tbh. He would walk straight in to a river etc for example. Am I right in thinking you can apply for a blue badge with LRM? This would be so handy for us as it terrifies me getting him out of the car to go anywhere, especially with two other children in tow.

Those with HRM are automatically eligible for a blue badge. Those with LRM are not, but you can apply and be assessed just like those without DLA.