DLA claim first-timer/ Aspergers

dealchaser

skellett wrote: »

The letter I got back said to expect a response within 8 weeks which makes it the 18th December, we'll have to see I didnt feel confident filling the forms out to be honest, but did get a statement so to speak from her childminder and also contact details for various agencies they can contact

The initial letter I got back said expect a reply in 8 weeks but I received a phone call the following week and the award the week after. It was about 4 weeks from application to award. Hope it goes well for you.

Maybeanotherday

dealchaser wrote: »

The initial letter I got back said expect a reply in 8 weeks but I received a phone call the following week and the award the week after. It was about 4 weeks from application to award. Hope it goes well for you.

Im not holding my breath it's been 4 weeks already:D

looby-loo_2

Until recently I was a SENCO in a secondary school which seemed to be recommended because we were good with ASD children. We ended up having seven children on the autistic spectrum who had Statements. Plus a few not diagnosed but we treated them as if they were which worked well for them. Every one of them had a diagnosis and similar traits, however, they were all completely different. Every day brought a different and new problem to be solved but I was never bored, always surprises. If their needs were met there were rarely any behavioural problems. I was lucky, the head understood the need for individual TA support even when things were going well. It was because of the high level of support that things went well. I did get frustrated when I would write up an Annual Review meeting stating how well the child had done only to find the TA hours were cut. I soon got wise to that one and wrote them up accordingly.

I occasionally had to complete DLA forms for children. It seemed rather random, I don't know if some parents didn't claim or whether I got some first time or on appeal, occasionally they phoned me. I did always make a point of explaining that whilst the child was well behaved in school in a structured environment at home things were often very different. Family life is not like structured like school - life happens!

I have two sons. My DS2 was diagnosed with autism when he was 17 yrs 11 months then immediately discharged from children's services not to be picked up yet by adult services. My DS1 is not diagnosed but has Aspergers and a fantastic job which suits him down to the ground (earns more than I ever did for half the hours too!)

Maybeanotherday

Looby-loo you must be so proud of him, and you sounded to have done a good job so well done to you, it's a difficult situation which Im sure you appreciate and it's nice to recieve support from someone who truly understands, shame your not still working as a SENCO Im sure you made a big difference x

Savvy_Sue

dealchaser wrote: »

The worst part is his lack of affection for us. I amsure he does love us but we have been told by the professionals that we will never get the same child to parent love that most people get. Life is about them andtheir needs. Your needs are irrelevant to them.

This was the thing which always hurt me too. DS1 has never said "I love you" or agreed that we love him. As the school doctor said, his brain lacks the wiring!

Fortunately he's grown up to behave in a reasonably considerate way but it was a struggle.

He would accept, I think, that he had a good deal while he lived at home. And he had no issues with paying rent,

DS3, not on the spectrum, is another matter!

wammy77

YORKSHIRELASS wrote: »

We got our first DLA claim accepted straight away, its a myth that all claims are refused first time and you have to appeal.

I got my sons DLA agreed first time too - it all depends on the childs needs and then very much on how you can portray those needs on paper to the descision maker (not easy!).

Get help with completing the form - I am training with Barnardos currently to help with completing DLA forms as it's such a problem for the parents we speak to. Keeping a daily diary will help to ensure you get everything down on paper and will give the descision maker a comprehensive run down of your day/night and the extra needs you child has. It took me over 2 months of changes and updating my forms before I eventually sent them off!

If you have a specialist involved (EP, speach therapist, CAMHS, peads conslutant) ensure you put their details on the form too as it will help to confirm what you put down.

As for the school - try not to worry about it. The descision maker will not base the descision on only what they have to say, many other things will be looked at too.

Good luck with it

Maybeanotherday

wammy77 wrote: »

I got my sons DLA agreed first time too - it all depends on the childs needs and then very much on how you can portray those needs on paper to the descision maker (not easy!).

Get help with completing the form - I am training with Barnardos currently to help with completing DLA forms as it's such a problem for the parents we speak to. Keeping a daily diary will help to ensure you get everything down on paper and will give the descision maker a comprehensive run down of your day/night and the extra needs you child has. It took me over 2 months of changes and updating my forms before I eventually sent them off!

If you have a specialist involved (EP, speach therapist, CAMHS, peads conslutant) ensure you put their details on the form too as it will help to confirm what you put down.

As for the school - try not to worry about it. The descision maker will not base the descision on only what they have to say, many other things will be looked at too.

Good luck with it

Thanks alot for your response, I phoned DLA to let them know she has now been diagnosed with aspergers, they said it's useful to know and that they have had a response from someone who they have asked for a report from, they didnt say who...
But they said they will contact me within a couple of weeks which happens to be the deadline anyway

The aspergers community support worker has been in touch but may not be able to accept the referal due to it being a private diagnosis..so we'll suck it and see

g0bgb

AS a parent of a child with ASD , Please DO NOT FILL IN FORM YOIURSELF Go to the C.A.B. they have a great deal of experiance in this field.
I have seen many Parents do it them self and fail , I'm not saying it cannot be done but make it easier on yourself use the C.A.B.

Vaila

i think getting in touch with the princes trust and seeing firstly what help they can offer and secondly if they can advise you on filling out the daunting forms

good luck

Savvy_Sue

arran_m wrote: »

i think getting in touch with the princes trust and seeing firstly what help they can offer and secondly if they can advise you on filling out the daunting forms

good luck

have I missed something? I thought Prince's Trust was for support and advice for young people setting up in business.