Claiming DLA for child with ADHD

Belfastfemale_3

After a lengthly 4 year process my son has been diagnosed with ADHD (last August 2006!!!) - he is currently taking medication to help him generally with concentrating at school - which I can say is working great.

My health visitor advised me that I should apply for DLA. To be honest I was a little aprehensive about applying for this as I thought this was just for 'disabled' people. Then I heard of people claiming for children who has asthma and other people claiming as they have/had depression!! So I got the lovely 64 million page booklet and decided to fill this in myself (big mistake) I should of taken it to the local CAB and asked for some help.

When completing the form it asked of other professionals who would be able to verify (or something along them lines) his condition - I gave the name of the Child Psychologist and the Paeditrician who we have been seeing - of course they never asked these people, they went to my GP who never really had any dealings with son as I had been referred to Child Psychologist - the GP also states to contact Child Psy and Paeditrician - of course they didn't and case was turned down.

I then wrote to them asking them to contact the appropriate people in question. I then received notice that the case was now going to a tribunial with whom I had to let them know who was going to represent me - I HAVE NO IDEA!!!!! I sent the letter back saying that I would attend the hearing and bring someone with me (I told them I will have to confirm this with them)...I really just feel like giving up but I have come so far now and it just feels like a crusade I have to win and now think that my son is entitled too....

Anyone else here been sort of in the same pradicament as me or has heard of children with ADHD being awarded DLA????

dmg24

Then I heard of people claiming for children who has asthma and other people claiming as they have/had depression!!

I am sure you don't mean it to this way, but I do find your comment quite offensive. Though I do not claim DLA, I am pretty sure I would be eligible, for reason of both severe asthma and depression. Both conditions can have a massive effect on the life of a sufferer, and do fall under the legal definition of a disability.

sarahlouise210

when completing a DLA form it is best to have already obtained letters from the child psych etc and attached them to the form...this avoids this happening. Mostly with ADHD they will contact the school..so again a letter from the school with the application is helpful. It may be that DLA contacted the school who are reaping the benefits of your better behaved medicated child.. this does not mean that he does not qualify for DLA. You should prepare for the tribunal with letters and evidence. At worst ..if turned down you can reapply after a few months and this time get help. A badly completed form will not gain an award - although it states on the form "who do you want us to contact" does not mean they will..that is why you should take it upon yourself to get this evidence first. Remember that they will take the schools evidence over everones so a supportive school is very important

islandannie

While I have every sympathy with you having to cope with a child suffering from ADHD.

I do However take exception To your intimation that because some Asthmatics get DLA your case is somehow a "fait a complait" It Is quite ridiculous to compare ADHD to a life threatening condition like Asthma.

DLA is awarded to enable people to live as normal a life as possible taking into account how their disability effects them and the personal care they need.

I have yet to learn of any fatalities caused by ADHD unless accommpanied by neglect.

Severe (Brittle) Asthma is a dreadfull and very often fatal condition.

It is well recognised by the medical profession.



100,000 deaths estimated yearly throughout the world [1,2]. Patients at greater risk for fatal asthma attacks are mainly those with severe, unstable disease, although death can occur to anyone if the asthma attack is intense enough [2,3,4].

elisebutt65

I successfully claimed DLA for my eldest DS for 5 years until this year, when despite numerous letters from Child Psych, School, Social Worker and School - they decided he must be cured and ended it

After doing the appeals etc - I gave up - TBH - I just couldn't face going along to a tribunal and having to beg for money from some faceless bureaucrat!!! Just too humiliating!

islandannie

elisebutt65 wrote: »

I successfully claimed DLA for my eldest DS for 5 years until this year, when despite numerous letters from Child Psych, School, Social Worker and School - they decided he must be cured and ended it

After doing the appeals etc - I gave up - TBH - I just couldn't face going along to a tribunal and having to beg for money from some faceless bureaucrat!!! Just too humiliating!

Is Your child more needful than other children?

How does his disability effect you?

elisebutt65

islandannie wrote: »

Is Your child more needful than other children?

How does his disability effect you?

He's on the special needs register at school and has to have a full time TA with him in all lessons - in secondary.

I have to take him(or get him taken in) everywhere!!! He's 12 now and I can't allow him out on his own or he's quite likely to forget that we live on a main road and just cross without looking. The number of times I catch him doing dangerous stuff(even for boys) - sigh......

How does it effect me - Well I'm permanently knackered for a start - ep as I don't drive. I'm also doing a degree at the mo, so racing around after him is a complete nightmare.

Everything was fully documented by the professionals and of course, because the DLA was stopped - so was his respite care - so I don't even get that anymore either

DjSatansfury

The problem (or not) with DLA is that its based on what you can, and cant do, not on what your condition is. So despite your son having a condition, they may give you !!!!!! all. On the other hand they might.


Sorry i've just realised ive added nothing what so ever lol

sarahlouise210

elisebutt65 wrote: »

He's on the special needs register at school and has to have a full time TA with him in all lessons - in secondary.

I have to take him(or get him taken in) everywhere!!! He's 12 now and I can't allow him out on his own or he's quite likely to forget that we live on a main road and just cross without looking. The number of times I catch him doing dangerous stuff(even for boys) - sigh......

How does it effect me - Well I'm permanently knackered for a start - ep as I don't drive. I'm also doing a degree at the mo, so racing around after him is a complete nightmare.

Everything was fully documented by the professionals and of course, because the DLA was stopped - so was his respite care - so I don't even get that anymore either

I think you should go to appeal. The TA at all times is in excess of the needs of children his age. His supervision needs are in excess of children his age. These are both qualifying factors ..and if you have to administer medication so is that.

Morglin

Claiming DLA for children can be tricky - so I would advise anyone doing so to get some help from the CAB (or some of those support groups have people to help).

They will also then help with any appeal, if necessary.

Lin

islandannie

sarahlouise210 wrote: »

I think you should go to appeal. The TA at all times is in excess of the needs of children his age. His supervision needs are in excess of children his age. These are both qualifying factors ..and if you have to administer medication so is that.

The TA at all times is a benefit funded outwith the normal School expenditure.

Why do you think you should get/need extra money from the taxpayer?