DLA - For ASD 3 year old.

Indie_Kid

When you do the form, you must put everything down. Even if it's something small that only takes 2 minutes for you to sort out.

TiredMum_3

Thank you for your replies, Thanks for all the advice i will definatly make a claim, I am not after a mobility allowance just something to help with all the extra things!
I notice some of you say caring for my child is not different to caring for any other 3 year old, This is simply not true, I have 3 children so i have experianced "normal bounds" and beleieve me they were a lot easier, for example. I have to have my eye on him all the time. If i look away for a second there is a chance he may injure himself, Find some object "somewhere" and put in his mouth,.
His developmental delay being at 6-12 months old means i essentially have a walking baby rather than a toddler, 3 year olds are aware of their bodily functions and are starting (if not completed) toilet training. Any toy which says it is suitible based on "age" is not therefore he is substantially different from other 3 year olds and also his nursery were unable to care for him, and so he was given a place from the LEA at the local special school (which is amazing) but those places are like gold-dust. also when he eats you cannot just put his food in front of him but you have to give him small pieces at a time as he crams food and has choked before on his food. He never sleeps more than 2 hrs and smears the contencts of his nappy if it is not caught and changed in time, this then makes an incredible mess and im left cleaning a bedroom at 3:30am. This is not typical behavour for a child of his age. if he does not requre significantly more care than a child of his age my other 2 must have been unusually "smart" "well behaved" he also cant speak a word and on assesment also shows no understanding of words he is using language at the 8mth level.

tessie_bear

good luck...my ds has a asd diagnosis and he sounds very very similar to your baba....fill in a form and say it like it is...i cried when i did my form as its so depressing to write all the negative bits about your child...but hey needs must

TiredMum_3

tessie_bear wrote: »

good luck...my ds has a asd diagnosis and he sounds very very similar to your baba....fill in a form and say it like it is...i cried when i did my form as its so depressing to write all the negative bits about your child...but hey needs must

tessie bear
If you dont mind me asking, Were you successfull in your claim? did you need to appeal? or take to tribunal?

tessie_bear

we filled in the forms..well i did and we got it awarded with in 2 weeks...a record i think...we enclosed loads of stuff from his assessment wrote tonnes on the form and they couldnt have given it to us any quicker unless a carries pigeon had been dispatched

Indie_Kid

What you've said really doesn't sound like normal behaviour. Whilst some 3 yer olds may wear nappies at night, very few wear them full-time.

kabie

TiredMum wrote: »

I notice some of you say caring for my child is not different to caring for any other 3 year old, This is simply not true,

You live with your child, they don't. Disabled people and parents of disabled children are used to justifying themselves because of a lack of understanding. Educating people is all well and good but don't feel that you have an obligation to explain yourself and your son to anyone and everyone (DLA decision makers being an exception) or you'll just feel rotten.

jamespir

TiredMum wrote: »

Hi.

My son has had marked developmental delay, since he was born, I didnt know this was possible but my son was a full term baby who deteriorated very quickly after birth, was transfered to nicu at 8 hrs and spent a week there, It was explainined to me that he was born with a developmental delay and while i was 39 weeks pregnant he was not that developed which is why he needed help with feeding and temprature control,
he has developed very slowly since birth and at 3 years old has the mental ability of a 6-12 month old, but the physical devlopment of a 18 month old.
his consulatant made a diagnosis of asd at the severe end of the scale in april,
He is completly non verbal - is unable to make a choice or even follow a simple command, Still completly in nappies and unable to walk outdoors because he is not mentally developed enough, also he falls a lot and has some severe behavoural issues.
He goes to the assesment nursery at the local special school as they have decided he needs further assesment for a statement but the mainstream nursery he attended couldnt cope with his extra needs at their staffing levels.
They provide home to school transport for him as getting him oput the house can be such a challenge.
Ive been told by a friend that i should apply for dla, This friend gets it for herself because of a medical condtion but she seems adamant ill get it.
Ive got the forms but to be honest is it really worth applying, the forms are - well depressing to say the least and i dont kno how much money we could get but it wont be that much anyway i shouldnt think.
Anyone have experiance with getting dla for autism? what rate to do you get and how long did it take for the claim to be awarded (or refused)

Thank you
Rachael

my 6 year old had the same problem and still has some he didnt utter a full sentence till he started school and he found walking and everyday tasks difficult (he still does ) but he has in a way gained some things now he talks non stop so your son could develop in the next few years as well so i feel for you

Indie_Kid

Keep a dairy and get as much evidence about his needs as you can. Good luck.

kingfisherblue

TBH, although the forms can be depressing, I also found them to be therapeutic. It showed me that yes, my son does have lots of extra needs and I'm not just an over fussy mother! The relief once the forms have been filled in is immense - your whole body relaxes.

For my son, although he has made progress over the years, he has developed new problems as well. His paediatrician has told me that he will never live independently. For some children with autism, they may develop enough to have some sembalnce of a 'normal' life. I know children who are at different ends of the scale, and several in between. Many of them also have other disabilities.

Disability means a different life for many, but not necessarily a life lacking in quality. Since my son was born, and I had to give up work to care for him, I have become involved in local issues about children's disabilities, which I find interesting, frustrating, happy, sad, and many other emotions! I have also made new friends, studied part time for my degree, and taken up voluntary work that fits around my caring responsibilities. I have met many inspiring people and have found this forum - some posters I agree with, others I don't, but I usually find it interesting to read!

My son also has a good quality of life. He has family that loves him and disabled friends and non-disabled friends. He loves school (he went to mainstream primary and is now in special school - the right choice for us). He is a keen member of the Cub Scouts and also attends a deaf youth club that caters for special needs children and their siblings. He adores his books and now that he can read simple words, a whole new world has openedd up for him (althoguh I have always read to him, he likes to read to himself as well). Yes, there are many things he cannot do, and the DLA forms concentrate on these things, but there are also many things that our children can do, and we shoould celebrate their achievements.