DLA for a child with ASD

khague

just looking for some advise really as we have just been told our daughter has autistic spectrum disorder and have been advised we may be able to claim DLA. We have filled in the form as best we can and sent off, how long does it take to process and how do they decide who will get this as we were advised some families will and some won't? Sorry if this is a stupid question but we are struggling to get our heads round everything?
Thanks

happy_lass

:wave::wave:

khague wrote: »

just looking for some advise really as we have just been told our daughter has autistic spectrum disorder and have been advised we may be able to claim DLA. We have filled in the form as best we can and sent off, how long does it take to process and how do they decide who will get this as we were advised some families will and some won't? Sorry if this is a stupid question but we are struggling to get our heads round everything?
Thanks

not a stupid question at all. They usually take a few weeks to come to there decision. I think it was a month tops when i put my daughters claim in (i have a severely autistic daughter). BUT please be aware that you may fail to get it first time!! Thats not to say that you wont be able to get it for her , its just that alot of people fail on their first attempt. We didnt though so maybe that might be the case for you. If you havent heard off them, give it a week and then give them a call to see if they have recieved your application and how far along they are in making a decision. How severe is your daughter? How old is she?
hope this reply helps a little.
good luck !! :j:beer::beer:

kerryallc71

hi , these are great for advice ... ive used them before and still do .

parents of disabled children .

http://www.parentsofdisabledchildren.co.uk/

national autistic society have a forum and loads more information .

http://community.autism.org.uk/

hope these help .

happy_lass

also, if she is awarded high rate care then you can claim carers allowance which is £55.55 a week. There are certain rules to carers allowance though so if you think you can make a claim to carers then give the carers allowance unit a ring on 0845 608 4321. They can point you in the right direction. Hope this all helps a bit.

khague

she's 3 years old and we have got to go see the psycologist yet but not sure how its going to affect her yet but she doesn't talk maybe 5-10 words max so will this make a difference?

stassy23

it could take up to 11 weeks to deal with depending how busy they are but you will receive a letter arounf 2 weeks saying they have received it. also middle rate care you can claim carers. but the money will be back dated from when you put the claim in. the date you put on the form, if your un sucessful dont give up appeal. good luck

jr1985

If you get turned down for whatever reason it might be worth contacting the National Autistic Society for help appealing. Someone from the NAS came to my home and helped me fill out the form.

kingfisherblue

DLA doesn't depend on diagnosis, but on what care and/or mobility needs your child has. I know a number of children with ASD and most receive middle or high rate care, but some have other disabilities as well.

If you haven't heard anything after ten weeks (except for the letter telling you that the DLA unit have receoved your application), it might be worth ringing.

SuziQ

In my experience when I was a Health Visitor, it is harder to get DLA for a child with ASD who is younger like yours. This is because you have to prove care over and above what an average child of that needs-and most 3 year olds need a lot of care anyway. So hopefully you demonstrated those increased needs in each section? 'Cerebra' has some great information regarding this. As to timing, my son's applications have never taken more than 2 weeks, his renewal last month only took 2 weeks even though the time period included Easter, so it varies. I do always include a comprehensive report in the 'someone who knows the child' though and I think that can help.

toomuchinfo

I don't happen to believe that it's a lottery whether you get DLA or not and it goes on care/mobility needs but i do think it's important to get the form correct.
My son was diagnosed with ASD and other things at 4. We got DLA for him straight away, but he is very far behind other children of his age and needs support in everything. He's 13 now.
If your application is turned down, give more info, I know quite a few families who've got DLA for very young autistic children, but they do have care needs over and above.