Dla for 20 months ?

[Applecherr]

my dd is 20 months old hv has referred to early help and the paediatrician and she will be referred for salt when she is 2 years old.
my dd has no understanding doesn’t do any commands no gestures. She doesn’t say many words only words she will say sometimes is da da da or mom mom mom but she says it to anything / anyone. She sometimes looks when you call her name. She doesn’t use a spoon or fork just her hands when eating. She doesn’t sleep snd never has she wakes up multiple times a day. Hv has said she is developmentally delayed and she believe it could be autism but on a waiting list to see the paediatrician. Has anyone had a similar situation and applied for dla and was successful?
ideally i want the dla so I can get her help privately as the nhs waiting lists are long and I just want the best help/support for my dd.

I have tried to sit her down and talk to her but she isn’t interested she doesn’t sit down and keep still she is constantly on the go. She doesn’t keep eye contact. I have tried flash cards, toys with communication and she has non of it.

I understand she is still very young and you shouldn’t compare to other children but I can’t help it when I have took her to baby groups snd other children try and communicate with her she has non of it she will either hit them, climb over them, try to take what they have ect.

ps she isn’t my first child.

TIA & any advice would be appreciated.

I was successful at 2.5 years old for the same needs, I have heard of people managing to get it before 2 but you ll need as much professional evidence as possible if your health visitor will agree to write something very detailed and fill the form out pointing out every difference in care between your child and other toddlers (DLA can argue that constant supervision is normal at that age and the sleep issues so it's covering all the communication support and eating issues that you can now).

Have you asked local private SALTs how much they charge? Assessments in my area were only around £150-200 and they would generally give you some pointers with that. It ll vary but even privately they might not be able to offer more than an hour or two a week and the rest will be down to you.

As a starting point for you now I would look up intensive interaction as I reckon that'll be what a SALT will tell you to do first and perhaps objects of reference to help their understanding since flashcards might be too advanced at this point.

You can get the care component of DLA at 20 months. You will need to show DD needs care or supervision in excess of what typical peers of the same age require. Have a look at the Cerebra guide.

If your area still has Portage, if you haven’t been referred to them, look at that. In some areas, you can self refer.

Mobility component you can’t claim until age 3. But you can claim for the care component now.

I was going to suggest trying to get a referral to Portage too.

Also ask your HV is there are any SN play groups or Nurseries in your area. We’re very lucky that we have a dedicated SN Nursery in the next town run by a charity.