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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

DLA form has arrived - eep!

25 replies

MiladyDeWinter · 18/02/2010 22:37

I have never seen anything like this. No wonder I have been warned that I will feel sad filling it in, it's so bloody depressing. I suppose it has to be but the style is completely counter-intuitive, I mean - in a work situation you wouldn't dream of writing something so blunt and totally negative about another human being!

I'm already stuck, too. DS is only two, will he even have an NI number or do I put down the Child Benefit one? As that's the same as my DD's AFAIK...

Kudos to everyone who has ever had to do one of these

OP posts:

MumofOscar · 18/02/2010 22:48

Oh know what you mean! Its a hideous form. I'm trying to fill one out for DS at the moment. It is really hard.

I'm sure someone will be along with some help in a minute - just wanted to empathise!!

wraith · 18/02/2010 22:52

good luck with that,

also anyone on here get any strange letter and forms from dwp or a 3rd party recently?

ouryve · 18/02/2010 22:54

If you have your CTF details to hand, the account number will be the NI number!

I didn't spot this until after I filled out DS2's form!

waitingforgodot · 18/02/2010 22:57

if you look on the cerebra website, they have a guide on how to fill the form in. Good luck!

Original poster

MiladyDeWinter · 18/02/2010 22:59

Thanks all, the Cerebra guide is excellent and I will try to dig out the CTF (worth bugger all in shares atm ) details.

All the best MumofOscar!

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oddjob3 · 19/02/2010 08:24

Milady
Some counties have a money advice unit that will help you either by phone or in your home to fill the form out, worth checking out on your county web site

ArthurPewty · 19/02/2010 09:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

MiladyDeWinter · 19/02/2010 10:20

DIAL have been quite useful and I've been referred to the SN Health Visitor who is coming to see me on Wednesday.

I might ask her to fill in the bit from a person who knows the child. I was going to ask the pre-school manager but I'm thinking a HV would focus more about his care needs perhaps.

Our Paed is going to write something like that Leonie, thanks for the reminder to send copies of letters and reports

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chickensaresafehere · 19/02/2010 12:22

I had help from the HV and she was great,stayed for an hour & helped with the bits I was stuck on.
My Mum did the bit about a person who knows the child,she just wrote down what she couldn't do with dd2,it was very sad to read though
I felt drained & very down when I read it back,it took a while to get a decision but ended up we got middle rate of care & higher rate of mobility.
Good Luck,have some wine chilling for after you are done!!

PeachyPeachyEverPreachy · 19/02/2010 12:43

Sometimes I wish the bloody things could be sent out to all those who complain about DLA,I really do. Damned maleficient entities of Hell that these pieces of paper are.

And we get twoof the things, thank goodness ds3'swas awarded until 16 (not sure why,random attempt to stop us appealing for HR in favour of less forms I think)

Goodluck to you, pop a piece of paper down and write lots of good things about your child as you go to feel better. Then ensure you bin it or stick on the fridge but never, ever send it ti dla!

Dolfin · 19/02/2010 12:45

These forms are very difficult to fill out. Another good web site is "Contact a Family - DLA" they have an excellent leaflet on how to complete these forms. Enclose any supporting documents ie letters from the paeds, speech therapy, portage etc. Remember to photocopy and keep all documents in case you need to appeal or when you need to reapply next year. Good luck.

Original poster

MiladyDeWinter · 21/02/2010 21:31

Well I have made a start on the easier bits with both Cerebra and Contact a Family (cheers Dolfin) up on the screen but am stuck again.

Sections 6 and 7 about being outdoors and help - one guide says they are about the high and low rate mobility component which DS does have problems with but which we won't get as he is under 3.

I have said as much but not elaborated because that guide suggests not to bother but the other doesn't say that this part of the form is specifically for mobility and neither does the form make it clear (quelle surprise!)

I've also made a note about that on the section for other information. I hope this is correct. Does anyone remember? Thanks in advance, time for a cup of tea

OP posts:

Original poster

MiladyDeWinter · 24/02/2010 09:37

Aha - I have finished the bloody thing and copied it. Thanks for all your help on this and the other threads I searched Mumsnet for. Off to have a celebratory cup of tea

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meltedmarsbars · 24/02/2010 11:07

Well done - did mine a couple of weeks ago, still waiting to hear....

Original poster

MiladyDeWinter · 24/02/2010 11:14

Hope you get some news soon

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aSilverLining · 24/02/2010 11:14

Well done on getting it finished, mine took me months!

I did all the 'text' of the form in word instead of in those boxes on the form. I too copied in all reports we had. My mum did his 'adult who knows child' and compared him to her other 6 dgcs (ds is my only child) which was true and factual but heartbreaking to read. Writing down lovely things on a seperate sheet definately helps.

Piffle · 24/02/2010 11:18

make sure you photocopy it... you truly do not want it lost... and it helps when you do a renewal for keeping things in order
Well done they are a hideous ordeal, you spend all your life trying to focus on the good things your SN child can do and in that form you have to describe the worst case for everything
I need to drink while I'm filling it in, it is that depressing

Original poster

MiladyDeWinter · 24/02/2010 11:21

Yes it's copied and in a folder. There was an old thread I found where a poster had somebody ring up and check things, times of wakings etc along with suggesting a "lid" for her child's cot

I have a reply all ready for that

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Piffle · 25/02/2010 14:08

Milady I hate to be a negative predictor but I'd take the DLA forms a million times over trying to get the LEA to issue a Statement in primary school.
MY dd is 7, my head is broken and has clay marks form where I have banged it against the brick wall that is the bloody system

Original poster

MiladyDeWinter · 25/02/2010 14:20

So I've heard for you. There was something yesterday wasn't there about LEAs issuing IPAs instead of Statements because they're not legally enforceable. How long have you been battling for?

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jubee · 25/02/2010 21:55

I had someone from a local group Families in Focus who came out and helped me fill it in. there must be someone who can help you??? Trouble is you want to get it right, cos they will make any excuse not to give it to you. I am by no means thick but i had trouble filling it in. also make sure you photocopy it so you know next time what you filled in this time. They also ask you similar questions i think just to catch you out. Good luck

Piffle · 27/02/2010 20:27

milady, since pre school, the paediatrician and peripatetic visual impairment teacher were aghast that DD was not statemented.
Oh well one broken nose, 8 pairs of glasses broken through falls, plateau at reading, struggling with writing and PE.
DD is in yr 2...
I despair, I am about ready to really get mad at people.

Original poster

MiladyDeWinter · 27/02/2010 20:48

Oh dear Lord, Piffle, poor you and DD

Broken glasses bad enough but nose, and falling? Good grief!

Year two is tough and then the transition (if there will be one) too. A statement is what she needs and you are having to fight, it's terrible!

I taught ten years ago, KS2 and had no understanding of or training about SN. It was almost taken out of my hands really, I was woefully ignorant but when I tried to learn more I was blocked. It wasn't my remit apparently all to do with SENCO nad the HT having meetings without me being told or even included despite the children being in my care (often solely, very few TAs in those days) all day.

It was the same thing for children at risk and CP matters, I was often the bloody last person to know when I could have provided valuable evidence!

Do you have your own thread for this? If so, please bump, if not, please start one. I haven't been here long but we're all here to help and if not, to pat manfully on the back.

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thederkinsdame · 27/02/2010 21:02

Good grief. Sounds like a nightmare for you. FWIW, I would advise that you need to imagine all your dark days as one IYSWIM. It is a bloody depressing form to do, and I sobbed doing mine as it really hit home how things were for us. HOwever, it is worth it.

Another tip - CAB sometimes will help filling the form in, so may be worth giving them a call. Also, there are tips on the Disability Alliance website. HTH and good luck hope you get it!

Ilona33 · 28/02/2010 10:15

I had help from the health visitor to fill the form out. She stayed and filled out the form which was about my daughters development problems. That was the time when I found out she has complex social communication disorder. I didnt get much info about that, but I looked it up and a little scared about it and not sure what exectly my daughter has within that group. I have to wait for further therapies, tests. We have to go back to the specialists in 6 months time and hopefully we`ll know more than.
If you feel you have trouble filling the form out ask your health visitor. They usually very helpful.

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