Does Ds need a blue badge and should I appeal to get high rate mobility?

[magso]

Ds is 9 and has learning disabilty with ASD and ADHD. He attends sn school (MLD/ASD school). I applied for DLA for the first time and ds got high care, middle mobilty. I was pleased because before we got nothing and frankly life has been an enormous struggle especially financially.
Now I am wondering if I should appeal for higher mobilty?
Ds can walk miles infact I think he has the body of a marathon runner - just not the mind of one though he is pretty single minded! Until recently taking ds out was a very considerable challenge especially on my own. Even now I have to plan with great care and can't do what other mothers of even a much younger child could do like pop to the shops. The limitation on our mobilty because of ds needs to be kept safe and happy and his sheer inability to cooperate are our normal IYKWIM. Ds has little sense of danger (which he cannot accesss in the heat of the moment anyway), is hyperactive, distractable and is now too big for me to carry/ restrain securely. It is his cooperation which is now the major difficulty ( though he is still unsafe without restraint near traffic). Yes he can walk but not often where I need to go - its a constant battle and requires planning and things can go wrong.
Now I said all this on the form. But ds is less challenging than he used to be ( I also implied that) and we have our ways. This is because he is less likely to run off, (although he can wander), so he can be left in the local shop within sight looking at the toy shelf whilst I grab and pay for bread. I know what I can do and what I can't!
Ok this is my problem
First do you think we are entittled to higher rate (now ds is a little more predictable)and secondly id it worth appealing? - PS ds IQ was assessed in the very low 50s ie below 55 but they know that.

Sorry for spelling - must have pressed post not preview!

What I meant to say was would a blue badge/higher mobility help us to get out more? I realise there is a financial side too - ie parking fees. Also once my car is worn out (it is aging and we rely on it since ds likes car rides but can be difficult to drag out otherwise)- I do not earn enough to replace it (ds needs 1:1 care so I can only work a little).
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

If I am understanding correctly you are saying he is easier and less likely to run off now, then I don't think you would win an appeal to get higher mobility. But you know your child and if you think there might be a chance then you should apply. Someone more knowledgable (sp?) will maybe know the answer.

He is not less challenging but is slightly more predicable. He does still run but is more likely to look for a chaser now (thankfully) and I know what will hold his attention for a couple of minutes like the toy or chocolate shelf in the local shop ( and its further from the door than the till so a reasonable chance of me cutting him off IYKWIM). He is getting older and I am getting wiser. Some things need 2 adults but I know that but there is always the unexpected like A+E visits when DH away - when a blue badge would be useful - and frankly having to dodge ambulances is just an extra danger in a soup of distress!
I guess I worry others need it more - but am aware of similar children (eg in ds class)who do have blue badges. However we have managed so far without! I cannot but hope things will go on improving!
Perhaps I should apply for a blue badge to use in A+E and similar emergencies only?

Oh no you should apply for the Blue badge, you will probably get it. I was talking about higher mobility. But honesty what ever you think you need you should apply for there is no harm in applying. And if you get it all the better for you and your family.

I hope you didn't take offence as my post wasn't mean't like that.

No not at all Mitchell, thank you - you have helped -I was thinking it is my wording (both here and on the form!) that is the problem! Ds used to run and run oblivious to all things now his runs are more like dashes ( we still avoid traffic)!.
I guess I dont want to appeal - because I would prefer to think he does not need it ( no offence to others but I am still coming to terms with thinking of ds as disabled). A blue badge would be useful at critical times ( when ds cannot cooperate and I am single handed) so maybe that is what I will ask for.

Has anyone else managed to get a blue badge without high mobility and do they specify when you may not use it or just leave it up to you?

i applied too, DS1 having ADHD (16y) and wandering off, and DS5(2.8y) having autism and is a runner. I applied for both on one form, hoping to make the case stronger... and was turned down flatly on the grounds that both could physically walk, the mental impairment was never even given a mention , but we could really do with one its a nightmare fish-herding the kids from the carpark to the shops!

forgot to mention that DS1 gets middlecare and low mobility, DS5 gets highcare but no mobility as hes under 3, and as i say, was refused point blank.

Miscutandstick sounds like you need it more than I do!
I heard ( ?at a help seminar in another county) that it is possible to request a blue badge even without DLA. Wondered if anyone has got this? When ds was younger I used the mother and child spaces (Tesco gave me a car badge)- but he is too old now and most shops have stopped them and frankly I don't take him shopping (except with the snow days and no school I have had to restock the basics).
I just wish all places (hospitals/ superstore) had additional needs spaces of some sort - ordinary sized spaces but away from through traffic- pipe dream I know! The distance doesn't matter so much as the shelter. My technique at present is to park on the furthest corner of a car park with the safety of a hedge or path - or the furthest quietest car park and use a back door.

Gps get to see ds occasionally (but not about his sn) and all have a good idea of his running skills though the paediatric unit at A+E know him better! I'll look into getting a bluebadge and report back! Really dont want to appeal DLA - I think it is borderline anyway. I can always do that later if things don't improve!

You can and should apply for a blue badge for your DS. You do not need to have higher rate mobility to get one, but if you have higher rate mobility you have an automatic entitlement to one. Blue badges are a separate issue from the DLA and you should apply to your council. My DS has mobility issues so the case was more clear cut but I don't think you need a medical report although if you could find one, or even a report from his school backing your application, it would probably help.

Thankyou HairyMaclary! Will contact the council and see what they say.

J is academically good (age 7, autism, ADHD) and I originally applied for the blue badge on the same grounds you are talking about - too hard to handle alone and very escapery! He was only on middle care and low mobility then. The GP had never met J and misinterpreted the form so we were turned down but complained and got the CAMHS psych to write instead and got the Blue Badge no probs then.

BUT he now also gets high rate care and mobility DLA on the basis of severe mental impairment...if your DS has that IQ you should have no problem getting high rate mobility as they would have no way or claiming he wasn't mentally impaired (in their terms that sounds horrid, sorry)

I would apply. If J is entitled to it, your ds certainly is.

Thank You givemesleep. The lady who helped me fill in the form said we should in theory get higher mobility - but that it was often overlooked without appeal.
I will certainly apply for a blue-badge. Several near misses have frightened me (including the last visit to A+E)- ds is nearly as tall as me and I can no longer reliably physically restrain him/drag him out the way if he is in a panic.