Dla

alfiemama

Hi

We have been told that our son has perhaps got Aspergers Syndrome or some form of autism, the school have referred him to be assessed, however we have been told by NAS that we can claim for DLA as this is classed as a disability and that as a diagnosis can take years we should start to claim for this now, does anyone know anything about this and if this is the case.

thanks

seven-day-weekend

You don't get DLA for a diagnosis, you get it depending on what care/mobility needs the person has.

So, for example, needs more care than other children his age, then he may be eligible, or if for example, he can't cross the road safely on his own and other children his age can, then he may be eligible.

I strongly advise you to get a Welfare Rights Advisor from the CAB to help you fill the form in (or ask someone from the NAS) as how it is worded is important to make sure you get over exactly what his difficulties are and how much care/support he needs..

alfiemama

Hi sevendayweekend

I thought that was the case, thanks, yes he deffinately will need help for a long time with things like this as he would not be safe. He also needs help with going to the toilet (compared to children his age). Costs us a fortune in food as he has major food issues and lots of other things.

Thanks for the advice I will take the forms into CAB and get them to help us

seven-day-weekend

Good luck!

Can you give us an update of how you get on as it is useful for other people? Thanks.

alfiemama

I will do, thanks

Thought people where going to be cross at me for at this, as I know that people get dla for more serious things and I know this is a hidden dla but it really does cost me extra money (which I dont have) for extra food, ds will only eat beige food, has to be a certain texture, so as you can imagine lots get thrown away.

jetcat

alfiemama wrote: »

I will do, thanks

Thought people where going to be cross at me for at this, as I know that people get dla for more serious things and I know this is a hidden dla but it really does cost me extra money (which I dont have) for extra food, ds will only eat beige food, has to be a certain texture, so as you can imagine lots get thrown away.

bless, he sounds like my little nephew. I do hope the assessment goes well and you get the help you and your little one needs.

re the dla, i would def get an adviser to help with the form, as they are quite complicated. Other than that, have a look at the site below - the NAS have some quite useful info re dla and autism.

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=528&a=3330

am currently waiting an assessment for my DD, and have just sent off for a dla application for her - so good luck with yours!

Conor_3

Yes you can get DLA but it's a real battle. We managed to get lower rate care which is bloody ludicrous when most of his problems are more related to mobility so we're putting in an appeal.

I know what you mean about the diet. My lad is basically potato (mash or chips), white cheese, anything we can manage to put in breadcrumbs and cheese and onion crisps but they must be in the right coloured packet. You do get quite inventive with it. For example with the mash potato, we smuggle in stuff like cauliflower and sometimes there's very little actual potato in it but the texture and look is right in his mind.

Just a consideration but we've been using a supplement called Behavior Balance DMG which you can get from Victoria Health and it's basically a mix of all the vitamins etc that NAS list as helping. Like many people, we noticed a marked improvement in our son. You notice an improvement in 2 days. Works in around 50% of cases. We ran out last week and they were out of stock. There was a noticable deteriorating in his behaviour, social skills and communication over that week so in our case it definitely works.

Lisadp1970

Hi

My son was diagnosed as High Functioning Autistic back in July and we then put in our claim for DLA.
The forms are really hard to fill in, not because of mind bending questions, but because all the info you give about your child is the extreme negative and when you read back over everything it seems like you have a really bad attitude towards your son
It was only a couple of weeks after sending my forms back that I got a letter to say we had been awarded the middle rate care allowance which they prompltly paid into my bank account back dating it almost 3 months to the time Sam was diagnosed.

I don't think without a professional diagnosis of Aspergers/ASD you will get very far, so you're probably best off waiting to get the diagnosis , as what complications there will be if you have to re-apply, I don't know.

A tip for when you fill the forms out - keep a very detailed diary of your sons behaviour, even down to the smallest thing, for 2 weeks before filling in the forms, as you'll be suprised how much you will forget as you've probably become so used to his behaviour patterns.

Good luck
Lisa

Conor_3

Lisadp1970 wrote: »

I don't think without a professional diagnosis of Aspergers/ASD you will get very far, so you're probably best off waiting to get the diagnosis , as what complications there will be if you have to re-apply, I don't know.

Lisa

We sent off everything we had from anyone regarding assessments, tests, specialist visits, OT visits etc with ours.

Helen819

I don't think without a professional diagnosis of Aspergers/ASD you will get very far, so you're probably best off waiting to get the diagnosis , as what complications there will be if you have to re-apply, I don't know....quote.

This is not true,as we are still waiting for a confirmed diagnosis,since last november.
We were awarded DLA,without this.
It did take longer to get though,as I didnt even have a letter from anywhere to back up my claims.So they had to go through everything even a report from school.
But it is worth it to do now,ours got bk dated 6 months.
As the OP said it's in the wording,but dont froget he will not get DLA for the diagnosis itself....it is for the care /help he needs above other children his age.

nissan25

SUBMIT your claim ASAP.

You do not have to wait on a diagnosis.

If your child has more needs (care / assistance etc) than a child of similar age you are entitled to claim DLA. DLA is not for the actual illness itself but due to the extra assistance / help / care required.

The forms can be quite daunting so your GP / sons consultant / other professional assisting you and your child with his (illness/disability??) can help complete these.

DLA will seek reports from one or more of these professionals anyhow when deciding on your claim and may even refer it to internal DWP medical staff to seek opinion.