Should I apply for DLA?

Frith

As a quick intro, I am a parent of 2 boys and have been unemployed for some time. The last few times I have been to the JobCentre the staff have tried to press on me the Disability Living Allowance forms for my younger son. I had refused but did take the forms last week but now wonder whether I should be filling them in.

He is 6 and has not had a diagnosis yet. He has Selective Mutism (i.e he speaks to the chosen few but not at school). He is easily upset and can be quite physically agressive and has no sense of danger at all. He is quite disorganised and has a pictorial timetable at school and needs his clothes etc laying out for him and to be told what is going to happen and when!

Having said that, he can speak fairly well to me, is just learning to read and has no physical problems apart from a tiny bit of weakness in his hands. He has no problems taking himself to the toilet and eats and sleeps well.

He has just been referred "up" from his paediatrician to a team of experts who are thinking about autism. Autistic traits have been mentioned quite a lot recently. He is on the SEN register and School Action Plus at school.

The quandary I have is a) I don't think he is in need of a special allowance as he doesn't seem too bad to me! and b) perhaps I am just used to him because I care for him every day and I don't know any different.

I feel quite embarrassed when I look at the forms in case we don't deserve the money!

Should I apply?

dmg24

Does he have care and mobility needs more than the average six year old?

Frith

Well, I've never had an average 6 year old! Even my little brother is ASD with dyspraxia so I just don't know.

Tehya

Hi,

My advice would be to fill in the form and just be honest. From your brief description of how he is then I really do feel he has some extra needs to an average 6 year old.

Think about all the things you need to do for him that his peer's don't need doing for them, I know it's hard to look at the differences between him and his class mates but try to see him as just another child and not your son.

These extra care needs could be anything from dressing himself to how he behaves whilst outside, i.e. is he safe to walk with you outside or does he run off etc.

Before I gave up work in February to care for my husband I worked in a school and have worked with many children with Autism or AS (with varying levels of problems/care needs) and quite a few have had at least some award of DLA so it's definitely worth claiming.

Good luck to you and your son,

Tehya

daska

Why not have a chat with his teachers about the forms and ask them to pinpoint how he is different to a typical six year old, how much additional attention he requires etc. You may find that getting an expert view helps to clarify things for you. From what you've said it does sound as if he requires additional care to his peers.

KeaneFan10

Hi there ... You may find the forms some what daunting too say the least, my son has severe autism he is 12 non verbal and still in nappies and was 'nearly' turned down for DLA until my doctor got involved, you have to ask yourself does your son need help day and night with say changing bedding or not staying in bed, does he need supervision all or most of the time. Can he dress and wash himself its really nothing to do with diagnoses as such its more to do with help he needs and is it more than a child of his age, they want to know how often he needs help and how long each time. Now for my son he cannot wash dress and needs supervision 24/7... cannot play out like most 12 year old's do

karmacookie

I would think that part of his care needs would be his parents helping him to communicate with other people. also with no sense of danger and need for a predictable routine he will have more care needs than an average 6 year old.

The extra money will come in very handy for providing him with oportunities i.e. horseriding, swimming lessons. I think you should apply. Try to get help with the forms from CAB or a Welfare Benefits Officer. Good luck!

Frith

Thanks, everyone.

There is a helpline and charity locally that help with all sorts of disability things and the JobCentre man says you can make an appointment with them and they ask you all the questions and help fill in the form.

He doesn't communicate with people (e.g in the local shop, teachers at school, his gymnastics coach, at Beavers). All the children in his class step in and speak for him if a supply teacher comes in who doesn't know him and she asks him a question!

Luckily I had his SEN review at school a couple of weeks ago so I know exactly what they are doing there.

I suppose it is much more obvious to people outside that he is a bit odd. Hard to think of at the moment when he is playing quite nicely with Lego!

Invasion

KeaneFan10 wrote: »

Hi there ... You may find the forms some what daunting too say the least, my son has severe autism he is 12 non verbal and still in nappies and was 'nearly' turned down for DLA until my doctor got involved, you have to ask yourself does your son need help day and night with say changing bedding or not staying in bed, does he need supervision all or most of the time. Can he dress and wash himself its really nothing to do with diagnoses as such its more to do with help he needs and is it more than a child of his age, they want to know how often he needs help and how long each time. Now for my son he cannot wash dress and needs supervision 24/7... cannot play out like most 12 year old's do

To get DLA you don't need to be supervised 24/7 or need help day AND night.

KeaneFan10

Invasion wrote: »

To get DLA you don't need to be supervised 24/7 or need help day AND night.

Well on the form i filled in they want to know what help the child needs both day and night and how long for each time ?

Indie_Kid

KeaneFan10 wrote: »

Well on the form i filled in they want to know what help the child needs both day and night and how long for each time ?

Doesn't mean you need help 24/7.