DLA mobility for an autistic child.

johnsmi

Hi folks,

We have a wee lad who has autism, 5 years old, doesn't talk, goes to a special school and also has been diagnosed with global developmental delay.

He has various problems with this behaviour and gets a lot of meltdowns because of the autism.

We were awarded DLA high rate care until 2015 just over a year ago but they said that they couldn't consider his mobility needs until he was 5 so we only get the care component.

There is no way he can be let out anywhere on his own, has no sense of danger and needs to be supervised all of the time.

Otherwise he is physically healthy and very active which is a great blessing.

Just wondering can we apply for the mobility component only or will they probably consider both his care and mobility needs if we contract them?

What are the chances that a child of 5 with the above issues might be awarded the mobility component?

Thank you.

John

paddedjohn

johnsmi wrote: »

Hi folks,

We have a wee lad who has autism, 5 years old, doesn't talk, goes to a special school and also has been diagnosed with global developmental delay.

He has various problems with this behaviour and gets a lot of meltdowns because of the autism.

We were awarded DLA high rate care until 2015 just over a year ago but they said that they couldn't consider his mobility needs until he was 5 so we only get the care component.

There is no way he can be let out anywhere on his own, has no sense of danger and needs to be supervised all of the time.

Otherwise he is physically healthy and very active which is a great blessing.

Just wondering can we apply for the mobility component only or will they probably consider both his care and mobility needs if we contract them?

What are the chances that a child of 5 with the above issues might be awarded the mobility component?

Thank you.

John

Sorry but no 5 year old kid should be let out on their own unsupervised anyway.

shegirl

They will consider both.

Ds is severely autistic,gdd/sld,challenging behaviour and sensory probs,educated in his own personal room at special school and 2:1 or 3:1.He begets high rate mobility along with care but he didn't receive mobility until he was 7.

It's not so much about going out on their own.A child of five shouldn't be anyway.

If that is the reason you would apply I really wouldn't bother tbh and would wait.There are reasons it could possibly apply by now but if you don't know what they are you don't have them iyswim

johnsmi

Thank you very much for reply. What I meant was "let out on his own" is little things like being in the back garden, or even for a while in a room by himself is a big no no because of what he gets up to, everything goes in the mouth, or even things like snails would be put in and ate if out in garden.

He is just so fast even if supervised.

Very active and will eat anything loves veg.

Wouldn't change him for the world

John

nannytone_2

ignore the 'letting him out alone' comment.
at the age of 5, a 'normal' child could be expected to play in the garden without constant supervision ( loo breaks, putting the kettle on etc) and would be expected to walk with you along the street without the need for constant hand holding. they would also have some awareness of traffic haxards ( even if too young to cross roads alone)
apply for the mobility as he sounds the EXACT match for its intended purpose

jammother

My son has ASD and he is 3. What you have to prove for DLA mobility is that his needs are above those of his peer group.

My son would just walk in the road if he is not restrained. When he is restrained he physically struggles. He also refuses to walk and throws himself to the ground which means he has to be carried - as I have another child this is impossible and we only go out with his dad except to go to nursery. He has no sense of danger.

Whilst it could be argued some children are like this at 3, not many are at this level at 5.

Look at the Cerebra website for some pointers

jammother

Be aware that if the DWP look again at his mobility needs, then they can also review his care needs at the same time which could result in a lowering of the HRC award.

FBaby

nannytone wrote: »

ignore the 'letting him out alone' comment.
at the age of 5, a 'normal' child could be expected to play in the garden without constant supervision ( loo breaks, putting the kettle on etc) and would be expected to walk with you along the street without the need for constant hand holding. they would also have some awareness of traffic haxards ( even if too young to cross roads alone)
apply for the mobility as he sounds the EXACT match for its intended purpose

This is what I don't understand. This is about care, the care this child requires so he doesn't get into trouble. I don't see how it is to do with mobility. Surely that's the reason why he is entitled to high rate care because he needs constant supervision?

Cate1976

There are some things which come under both care & mobility. The wording of the questions is very specific depending on whether it's in the care or mobility section of the claim form.

A child of 5 should be able to be left in a room to play or out in the garden without constant supervision. They should also be able to walk beside parent/carer when out without restraint.

My husband & I have recently made a successful claim for DLA for one of our twin girls age 3 (4 in December), she has Global Developmental Delay and Hypermobility. She's got MRC but no mobility. I think she might possibly qualify for LRM when we renew next year just before she turns 5. The award is up to 30th November next year.

letthemeatcake

As Jammother says you would have the whole claim looked at again and there is a chance you could lose the higher care award. In 2 years you will have a lot more info to back up a claim for mobility. You could always ask a local carer/ autistic group for advice.

My Son was similar to your Son at 5 (he is now verbal) and qualified for lower mobility and still does at 14. He is healthy but has a lot of sensory issues.

jammother

Yes, there is a chance you could lose the HRC (and subsequently the severe disability element of TC if you receive them).

But if your DS has night and day care needs and you have lots of medical and school reports, then there should hopefully be no issue. And if you think your son is entitled to LRM then you should put in a claim.

I think it is terrible that people are too scared to claim what they are entitled to in case the reassessment takes away that to which they are already entitled.