Child Disability Payment - Mobility Element for 3 year old

[Mum2thr33]

My ASD son (still waiting for diagnosis) receives HRC of Child Disability Payment. We received documents to apply for Mobility Component back in August. Filled out and sent back same week but still haven’t heard anything? Does anyone know how long it takes for a decision? I was only able to send one form of evidence from his childminder at the time so wondering if this is what’s holding it up? His childminder terminated his contract 4 months ago as she could no longer cope with him so unsure if she’ll still be willing to speak to SSS if they contact her. For his original application I provided evidence from Sleep Scotland, SALT & childminder and was awarded within 5 months. The support in our area is limited but our HV is brilliant with trying to offer as much support as she can although says she is unable to provide any sort of report for evidence. My son wakes frequently throughout the night for extended periods, has no awareness of danger therefore cannot be left unattended inside the house or outside. To the point we don’t bother taking him out to places like days out, the park or shops etc as it ALWAYS results in a meltdown within 10 minutes of being there. He is also showing major signs of PDA profile which makes dressing, bathing, nappy changes or any sort of instruction extremely difficult. Not sure if all of this qualifies him for HRM and maybe why it hasn’t been awarded?

Wouldn't you need an official diagnosis from a health care professional before the payment is made ?

Hi!

Child Disability Payment eligibility is not solely based on a formal diagnosis, but rather on the child's need for care, attention, or supervision due to a physical or mental disability or health condition.

Ok - so who will independently assess this - only trying to understand the current system - (I have a son with ASD and have a multidisciplinary team diagnosis after many tests and meetings - which is the evidence I was required to submit for the claim)

Things like dressing etc. aren’t relevant to the mobility component.

At 3, only high rate mobility is possible. You will need evidence from more than just the childminder. For those with autism, there are 2 ways of qualifying for HRM, SMI and VUW. More generally for CDP a diagnosis isn’t required, but for SMI, you need a diagnosis (not necessarily of autism, other things can meet the criteria) because you need to prove the incomplete physical development of the brain or a state of arrested development resulting from a failure of the brain to grow in the way normally expected. The SMI rules are slightly different to those in England, so proving a functional delay won’t be enough.

Is DS under a paed? OT? Why can't the HV provide evidence?

@StrivingForSleep Ahh okay thank you for that info! I suspect he won’t be awarded in that case. He is under paed but still on waiting list for OT. We have been waiting since May last year. HV said it’s not something they’re allowed to do in our area.

Thank you for the reply!

Can you ask the paed for evidence? The HV can provide a report. You could also make a subject access request to get notes etc. she has made.

DS could still be eligible under the VUW criteria.