DLA for ASD kids under 5

[waitingforgodot]

Just out of curiosity for those of you with kids under 5 and ASD, do you get middle or higher rate care? Everyone I have spoken to seems to be on higher rate and I am wondering if I should have appealed at the time the award was made? We were awarded middle rate care only.

Ds2 was awarded higher rate care. Ds1 had middle rate care, which was bumped up to higher rate when it was renewed when he was 7ish.

how do they decide?

I think they make it up as they go along tbh. Ds2's claim took such a long time to be processed that I suspect they awarded higher rate to keep me happy.

I'm not sure tbh. Ds2 was more of a danger to himself and hyper with it, but ds1's motor skills problems meant that he needed a lot more doing for him during the day than his brother did.

Dd1 gets middle rate
dd2 gets higher rate

I think higher rate is decided on if you have to get up several times in the night to settle your child (or medicate).

Both dd's wake in the night but dd1 only wakes once in a week, dd2 wakes 2-3 times each night and takes a while to settle.

Thanks both.
That makes sense

DS1 gets middle rate since 4 years - did not/does not need care at night. I think the 'making it up' factor is important too

DS gets middle rate. My understanding was (at least as far as things go in my area) that issues such as no perception of danger, needs supervision at all times, can't dress himself, still in nappies may get you middle rate, but for the high rate it has to be issues with sleeping. A friend of mine whose DS sleeps 3 hours per night and self-harms is the only one I know who got the high rate.

DS2 gets middle rate, has done since he was 2.

Mine were both awarded middle rate, but both slept reasonably well and at reasonable hours, when I applied.

I get higher, was told it was because DD wakes several times in night.

thanks all. Sleep is obviously the answer.

Middle is frequent help throughout the day with care needs.

High is constant supervision to avoid injury, etc. Or Middle rate criteria met for both day & night.

www.celiac.com/articles/181/1/Safe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Safe-Ingredients/Page1.html

this is quite good for reference purposes

oops sorry, wrong post. Just ignore!!

Higher
Higher = same criteria as middle but also up at night - cerebra guide says how long / frequent you have to be up and what counts as nighttime
So you don't need to be more severe to get higher - just be up in the night

Higher rate, it does seem to rest on care at night, I ran out of space on the form describing the many reasons he's awake when the rest of the household is asleep