What do you spend DLA on?

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Hello, hope you're all doing well! This is something I've been wondering for a while, especially as I received letters from DWP saying money must use the money in the childs best interests. My son is 3yo, ASD and SPD.

Some of the things I have used the money for include:
Twinkl subscription
Widgit subscription
Access card cost
Printer ink (used for printing PECS)
Laminating pouches (used for laminating PECS)
Days out at SEN centres
Days out at theme parks on ASD specific days
Days out at the zoo on ASD specific days
Ear defenders
Private educational psychologist
Private occupational therapy
Private SEN parent advocate to help with EHCP draft
Pushchair more suited to his needs
Seamless socks
iPad
Safe Place bed tent
Home sensory room equipment - including trampoline, bean bags, bubble tubes, spinning chair
A weekly laundry service as he smears faeces and food on everything
Padding on his walls as he head bangs against them
Specialist window locks and door locks for elopement reasons
Chew Buddies
Fidget toys for regulation

Would be an acceptable use of the money? Is there anything on there that I shouldn't be using the money on?

You can spend DLA on anything that benefits DS. That includes the things you have listed.

Although for things like pushchairs, you might want to look at charity grants if you need another in the future. And for things to make the home safer, you could look at a home OT assessment.

We use DSs’ disability benefits for:
DS1’s motabilty vehicle
Higher gas, electric, water, food, fuel, parking costs
Equipment that isn’t otherwise funded (including all the things we buy in the hope it helps but doesn’t)
Costs associated with hospital stays
More extra curricular clubs - as physio/fitness and to aid emotional regulations/social skills/social interaction
Independent assessments

I'm still getting my head around being awarded DLA, but this is what we have used it for so far:

• Pull ups for night time incontinence
• Incontinence bed mats
• Additional electric and water bills
• Taxis when overstimulated and can't cope with bus home
• In a similar vein, booked a private air conditioned transfer on holiday as opposed to a longer, busy transfer bus which would have caused distress (for her and other holiday makers!!)
• Gym ball for sensory feedback
• Chewellery
• Fidget toys
• Weighted blanket and toys
• Needs assessment with BIBIC (best money spent in terms of school support)
• Additional costs of clothes and shoes which meet sensory needs
• SEN 1:1 swimming lessons
• SEN play sessions
• On waiting list for play therapy which will also be paid for with DLA

I'm sure there's more but I can't think right now!

I use a lot towards childcare for after school.
Large size reins.
sensory toys.
clubs.
pull ups.
days out.
anything really…. I don’t know anyone who has been audited for how it’s been used. I’m confident that if I were ever asked I could tell them the type of thing I use it for.

Memberships in trampoline parks, softplay, local farm park, basically anywhere we can safely visit that meets his high activity and sensory needs.

Clothes and trainers he will wear which are very specific and I hadn't realized how specific until I was chatting to another mum this morning whose shopping choices were entirely based on aesthetic.

Foods he will eat

Taxis when days out go wrong or he's struggling so much we wouldn't make it out if he'd to walk.

Bike maintenance because cycling calms him

Craft activities for th same reason, craft supplies and stationary have been an absolute fixation since starting school.

Computer games. I feel like this one is controversial but he doesn't watch TV, can't focus on something passive so gaming helps his actually rest his body while his mind is busy. Also a yoto player for bedtime to give him screen free audio, and yoto cards for content.

Upgrades, so taking the car on a holiday, staying in a hotel where everything is on site rather than self catering.

Ours goes into the main bills account so it's mixed up with all the costs of electricity, heating, internet etc.

But I'd count it as used for:

• days out that we don't know how well will go down and may need to leave early
• toys, activities and special devices that we don't know if they will use but we try anyway
• both are in nappies so all the costs of those along with every different type of toilet training contraption that we don't know if they are going to take to or just kick and scream at
• all the special foods that they will eat or are allowed to eat by order of speech and language therapists
• petrol to get them to the disability places that we know they will be safe at
• parking to get them closer to places for their own safety and to get back quick if we need to
• shoes that we know they will wear 'because they have rainbows on them'

I'd like to do SEN swim sessions with them as well as they need way more support than a group class