Child DLA re-application advice please

sammy10

I have just received the forms to apply for DLA for the first time for my son. He is 9 and it has taken 7 years of fighting to get him diagnosed with ADHD. His psychologist also said that she is 99% sure he has dyspraxia but there is no point in testing him as there isnt much to be done:mad:

The form is so thick and Im not sure where to start. Do I mention the dyspraxia, who do I put down to contact, is it worth applying, AAArrrrgggHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Sorry:o

carol9uk

hi not sure if i am writing this out right, my fisrt time, but yes if your son has got dyspaxia do put it in, do you do exercises with him. i do with my son

[
QUOTE=sammy10]I have just received the forms to apply for DLA for the first time for my son. He is 9 and it has taken 7 years of fighting to get him diagnosed with ADHD. His psychologist also said that she is 99% sure he has dyspraxia but there is no point in testing him as there isnt much to be done:mad:

The form is so thick and Im not sure where to start. Do I mention the dyspraxia, who do I put down to contact, is it worth applying, AAArrrrgggHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Sorry:o[/QUOTE]

carol9uk

yuo can also get help from a benefit advice, they have helped me to fill out the form

sammy10

carol9uk wrote:

hi not sure if i am writing this out right, my fisrt time, but yes if your son has got dyspaxia do put it in, do you do exercises with him. i do with my son

[
QUOTE=sammy10]I have just received the forms to apply for DLA for the first time for my son. He is 9 and it has taken 7 years of fighting to get him diagnosed with ADHD. His psychologist also said that she is 99% sure he has dyspraxia but there is no point in testing him as there isnt much to be done:mad:

The form is so thick and Im not sure where to start. Do I mention the dyspraxia, who do I put down to contact, is it worth applying, AAArrrrgggHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Sorry:o

[/QUOTE]


So even if its just what she thinks and not an 'official diagnosis' I can still put it in. We havent been given any exercises for him. I feel really on my own with this, I have been given a few suggestions for what to do about the ADHD but once I said I wanted to try other options before ritalin I felt like I was on my own:(

quietheart

sammy10 wrote:

I have just received the forms to apply for DLA for the first time for my son. He is 9 and it has taken 7 years of fighting to get him diagnosed with ADHD. His psychologist also said that she is 99% sure he has dyspraxia but there is no point in testing him as there isnt much to be done:mad:

The form is so thick and Im not sure where to start. Do I mention the dyspraxia, who do I put down to contact, is it worth applying, AAArrrrgggHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Sorry:o

The form is off-putting and scary. If your child has ADHD and dyspraxia symtoms i think you deserve to get it so it would be worth the time and effort involved to fill the form in to the best possible standard. i think the guides at http://www.bhas.org.uk/freeguides/dla_guides.shtml
help hugely. It's not easy but you may as well give it your best shot. You can say you think he has dyspraxia but are probably best to concentrate on your child's specific symptoms. You don't need a diagnosis to get DLA, you need to spend additional time helping them compared to an average child of their age. Try and get as much supporting evidence as possible, contact anyone involved in the care of your child and ask for a letter, send any medical information you have for your child. The more evidence the better.
Hope that makes sense and good luck, don't give up because you deserve this benefit.

kabie

My son does not have a diagnosis of dyspraxia but the consultant has mentioned it and says in her reports "immature fine and gross motor skills".
So I just say what his difficulties are and say that he has immature fine and gross motor skills.
I replied because exercise was mentioned. My son has been horseriding for years now and I really think it's helped his co-ordination. He rides with the RDA (riding for the disabled association) the charge for lessons is based on what you can afford and your son would qualify if you fancied giving it a go.
If there's one near you I'd give it a try:

http://www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk/Locations.aspx?Area=En

D&DD

I sent my son's renewal off in May...with it I sent a copy of every report I had confirming his diagnosis and treatments,therapies,respite care etc 75 pages in all.I got a letter back at the start of the school holidays saying they needed more info from the school and would write to them in September :mad:
My son has *deep breath* Autism,auditory processing disorder,speech and language/communication difficulties,motor/neurological problems,behaviour probs..My little man is finally getting the services he needs but we also need help financially to help with the cost of his special diet,incontinence pads(long story sensory issues and a useless gp..)clothes he chews through,repairs to walls..:D
I had a long drawn out battle with my other son for his DLA but finally won our appeal 10 months later I am beginning to feel like I have a target on my head :rotfl:
A neighbour however got hers sorted for a speech problem in 4 weeks,had the rate highered and the award lengthened to 4 years whereas I have to renew every two???

ben-e-fitt

You have to understand DLA is awarded to people with mobility or care needs as a result of an illness or disability, not for the illness or disability itself. Many people are turned down purely because the wrong information is put on the claim form. And while the DLA might write to someone named on the claim form they don't have to, the reason is it is not a means tested benefit. The onus is on the applicant to provide the information, not for DLA to go out looking for it. Usually once a condition has been established, it is pointless to keep writing to a doctor or specialist to see if the customer still had that condition. You need to say how the condition affects you each time you renew your claim. What you were like 2-3 years ago may not be how you are now. To say nothing has changed is inviting a challenge to the award, because you would be a year or two older for a start. Don't be complacent, assuming all the info is there from your last application, it is, but that says how you were then not how you are now!

novelli

Do you have an ADHD support group in your area, they should be able to help you fill in the forms. Which area are u and i can check which is nearest.

I get DLA for my lad who has ADHD and tourettes syndrome, and what i always do and advise others to do, is include all letters that have passed between professionals, all reports etc with the claim form, ive always done this and as yet never had a problem.

Through helping others what we have found is that schools often are the reason that a claim has been turned down. There are several reasons for this, 1. they dont believe in ADHD!!! 2. the form is completed by the head who does not know the child well. 3.the person filling in the details sees the child during the day when perhaps they are medicated/getting extra support/are able to focus and fail to recognise that at home the child may be unmedicated, have rebound from day meds and venting their frustrations at the end of a day (mornings and evenings are generally the worse time for these children, but no one else really sees that!!!!!)
When some of our members claims have been turned down we have requested all the paperwork used to make the decision, u can usuall then see which professional has failed to recognise the difficulties, this can then be challenged. We have even had a head retract what he has written once the above was pointed out to him, he accepted that he did not know the child well or appreciate the difficulties.
You may also want to consider changing your GP, as a good supportive GP is vital when we are dealing with these sorts of children, mine has been invaluable in supporting DLA claims, education placements, healthcare etc.

sammy10

Thank you every one for your advice, It didnt occur to me to put his reports in so will do that now. You have all been a huge help and I am just a newbie here.This site is great Will let you know how I get on.