advice please?

Mum2Boys_2

Hello all id appreciate a little advice,


I was speaking with some colleagues at work regarding my son who is "moderately deaf" (the hearing doctors diagnosis) and saying how I was struggling to continue to pay for his speech therapy. I know he is entitled to free speech therapy however I have been waiting since November 2013 and was concerned that it was taking too long and decided to pay private until I hear from them. Anyway a woman at work said I may be entitled to some disability benefit for him which would really help towards funding his therapy, I am however not so sure, both me and my partner work full time and he doesn't require a "career" due to his hearing issue. Any help would be much appreciated.

alamaya

Theres Disability Living Allowance but you need to prove your child requires 35hours care per week in addition to that of a average child xxxx

Mum2Boys_2

Oh no he doesn't he is like any other healthy child without a disability he just can't hear well so his speech is affected.
Thank you.

Indie_Kid

alamaya wrote: »

Theres Disability Living Allowance but you need to prove your child requires 35hours care per week in addition to that of a average child xxxx

Not quite true:
To claim disability living allowance (DLA) for a child, you have to prove that your child has more care and /or mobility needs than a child of their own age or has the same care needs as a younger child.

To claim carers allowance, you must be providing at least 35 hours of care per week.

Because his hearing is affected - does he need someone to relay for him? That is, he can't be understood and someone has to repeat what he's said. Does he use sign language to communicate and need communication support?

alamaya

my apologies for the mis information hun.
My head has officially given up xx

Mum2Boys_2

He is 3 at the end of the month so just points and I have made him some picture cards. He is waiting for an appointment at the hospital to sort out hearing aids but we have been waiting 5 months now and we were concerned about his speech hence why we have been paying for therapy.
Many thanks for your help.

Morglin

Here's a link so that you can assess whether he may be entitled to DLA, or not:

https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/eligibility

Lin

kingfisherblue

Not really an answer to your question, but I hope you will find this useful anyway.

Have you a Deafness centre where you live? In my town, we have one that has groups for children and parents. It is quite a social group, with lots of fun and games as well as information sharing. It is also a chance to learn Makaton (a basic form of signing used with children, using speech at the same time) at no cost.

There may also be a speech development group that you could attend - ring your local council and ask for the Children with Disabilities team.

bizzie

For more info the NDCS ( National Deaf Children Society) has some good information about claiming DLA.
If he is fitted with hearing aids there will be additional care in keeping them clean & operational ( batteries, cleaning tubes etc). There will also be visits to clinic for regular check ups and the trips to repair as they are not always childproof. ( I speak from experience!).
They also cannot be used in bath/swimming pool and during certain sports - all things that will impact on his day to day activities.
Depending how severe his hearing loss is, there may be times as he gets older where he cannot be treated as a typical child of his age - by that I mean, for example he may not be aware of what is happening around him and he requires additional supervision - road crossing, busy areas.
If you did apply and were awarded DLA it also gives you an additional amount of CTC, and additional evidence to request support when he starts nursery/school.

Indie_Kid

Is your son at nursery now? Only asking because you could get them to write a statement on how they have to give him extra help compared to a non-disabled child of the same age.