?? HELP PLEASE? Can I get a BLUE BADGE for my son with ADHD on low rate mobility??

SingleSue

My authority will not allow autism as an eligable disability for a blue badge (or at least they didn't 3 years ago when I tried last)...I tried twice to get a badge as I have two of the beggers with autism and it was a complete no go.

Could possibly have more chance now as youngest not only has complex autism but is also a severe asthmatic and has hypermobility syndrome.

PasturesNew

I read once that it's not until any child is 11 that they can be considered safe alone near roads, irrespective of any other factors. I expect most parents of boys aged 8 and 5 would find they're all over the place. I nearly ran down a kid the other day after his ball came across the road and he darted straight after it. I expect he was "normal"... just a kid, unaware.

Vicky123

An autistc child will run automatically though and often do not respond to their name being called or consider the whole thing as a game, they can't be persuaded beforehand in any way either.
They are considerably less aware than a normal child of the same age, far more dangerous to themselves and others, otherwise they would be unlikely to get DLA in the first place.
This ofcourse is at the more severe end who would be the ones most likely to need a blue badge, my older son is higher functioning and has no need for a blue badge, would feel a fraud for even applying.
Vicky

Loopy_Girl

computershack wrote: »

Isn't quite right. We have one for my son who is autistic, awarded on the grounds more of safety than anything else as he can have sudden unexpected panic attacks and run off in any direction without any regards to his own safety.

So how does parking in a disabled bay alleviate this problem? I'm genuinely curious

whacks

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

So how does parking in a disabled bay alleviate this problem? I'm genuinely curious

well i guess if the car is parked right outside the door then there is less chance the child will have a panic attack before they reach car and run accross traffic. If the car is parked 200m or more away then the chances of this happening increases.

Oldernotwiser

whacks wrote: »

well i guess if the car is parked right outside the door then there is less chance the child will have a panic attack before they reach car and run accross traffic. If the car is parked 200m or more away then the chances of this happening increases.

But why the assumption that a highly autistic child will run towards the shop? Just as likely to run in the other direction, in my experience.

computershack

PasturesNew wrote: »

I read once that it's not until any child is 11 that they can be considered safe alone near roads, irrespective of any other factors. I expect most parents of boys aged 8 and 5 would find they're all over the place. I nearly ran down a kid the other day after his ball came across the road and he darted straight after it. I expect he was "normal"... just a kid, unaware.

Sorry but that is completely wrong. An autistic child needs care well over and above that of a "normal" child. A normal kid would just not suddenly run out into busy traffic without looking just because there was a flashing light or an unexpected noise. With autistic kids, even the beeping of a pedestrian crossing can trigger an episode.

computershack

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

So how does parking in a disabled bay alleviate this problem? I'm genuinely curious

By parking nearer to where you're going, the risk is reduced. In our situation, its not that often we use the blue badge or disabled parking bays. For example, we'd use one in Asda if there were no parent and child bays nor other normal bays clear near the entrance but if you're going to McDonalds, the carparks are quite small so there's no need to at all.

Basically, when triggered, an autistic child has one thing on their mind - to get away from the trigger as fast as possible. Not even their own safety comes into mind. The triggers can change on a daily basis and be something completely unforseen. Last time we were in Toys'R'Us, a voice on the tannoy set him off and he bolted straight for the exit immediately.

Vicky123

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

But why the assumption that a highly autistic child will run towards the shop? Just as likely to run in the other direction, in my experience.

That's very true, but it does at least lessen the danger, there is ofcourse the other problem of meltdown inside the shop, my son would often become totally overwhelmed, sink to the ground banging his head off the floor, all the usual stuff, so getting him out and to the car as quickly as possible would be very important.
Having said all that I do not take him to the supermarket any more and haven't done for years, but usually come under attack for not making him go and therefore getting him used to it, but then I think if he remains this severe all of his life then he is not going to be off doing the shopping in any case so why put him throught it.

SingleSue

At age 13, I still can't allow my middle son to cross a road by himself or be unaccompanied as he forgets to look for danger. He is also far too big for me to contain if he goes into meltdown, which of course, if we are parked a distance away, makes it very difficult to get him back to the car.

He has aspergers and mild brain damage...no blue bage though.

Edit - I do take my boys to the supermarket although it has been a hard slog and certainly no picnic and has given me untold stress but 4 years later, it is finally starting to pay off.