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DLA for 6yr old on Autistic spectrum

24

Comments

  • Swan_2
    Swan_2 Posts: 7,060 Forumite
    I'm only home & on-line briefly so haven't had time to read the whole thread & don't know if anyone else has mentioned this ...

    you can ask to be sent copies of previously submitted DLA forms, so if you haven't taken copies yourself you can still see what's been said in them earlier

    HTH
  • Conor_3
    Conor_3 Posts: 6,944 Forumite
    Does this require it to be diagnosed fully first? We're currently going through the diagnosis stage with our youngest and his case is in front of the autistic panel in September and is also getting statemented. Light and noise issues are a big thing with him and we have to tell him in advance of everything that's going to happen as unexpected events send him right off.

    Our problem is going to be getting supporting evidence because with a short term visit, he doesn't look that abnormal but over a full day, the repetitive behaviour patterns and the incidents all occur but you can guarantee that when they're there, he'll be OK.

    Thankfully, he's at a great school and with there only being 40 pupils in his year, he gets a lot of attention he wouldn't in a larger school which is worrying us somewhat when he moves up in another year.
  • lil_me
    lil_me Posts: 13,186 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Not in the slightest, my oldest son was awarded well before he was diagnosed (because the process took so chuffing long) my youngest hasn't been diagnosed as I have refused an assessment and he's been awarded DLA, it's based on needs of care and mobility, when it comes to children it is compared to another child their age.

    40 pupils per year, wow, there was 8 in my sons old school, 12 in his new one (DS1s in special school with 10 per class 1 teacher 1 TA)

    Supporting evidence can come from a consultant, psychologist, psychiatrist, school, GP etc they do sometimes just go off what is written in the forms, but that is rare.

    I always go by the rule of, if the worst they can do is say no, it's worth applying. Good luck.
    One day I might be more organised...........:confused:
    GC: £200
    Slinkies target 2018 - another 70lb off (half way to what the NHS says) so far 25lb
  • Jummy
    Jummy Posts: 692 Forumite
    My 10 yr old son is severely autistic and we now have an indefinite award for him so no form filling for me for a while(i hope).
    My son has lots of other 'issues' so we get high rate for both care and getting around.
    When i filled out the forms i put pages and pages of info and got reports from our GP,school doc,OT,class teacher.
    You do feel that you are repeating yourself but try not to fill the form out in one go.
    Take your time with it and you should be fine.
    Make sure you photocopy the forms before you send them in as well.
    Good luck.
    :D
  • Sarahsaver
    Sarahsaver Posts: 8,390 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You dont need to wait for a diagnosis.
    I was surprised when last year I did the renewal I got middle rate care and lower rate mobility for DS who now has a diagnosis, Aspergers and ADHD.
    it is depressing filling in the forms but you have to think of your worst ever week and go from there.
    He gets the mobility component as he has the tendency to wander into roads, and has periods where he will run off in town, or self harm, so needs to be watched when out and about and told /reminded to keep safe. He is 8 years old.
    Member no.1 of the 'I'm not in a clique' group :rotfl:
    I have done reading too!
    To avoid all evil, to do good,
    to purify the mind- that is the
    teaching of the Buddhas.
  • Swan_2
    Swan_2 Posts: 7,060 Forumite
    I've had time to read the whole thread now & the one most important thing I have to say is, to reiterate what some others have already mentioned, get a professional to help you fill in the forms

    my youngest, now 21, was eventually at age 6, diagnosed as dyspraxic (moderate gross motor & severe verbal) & also had a whole load of behavioural issues*
    it would take me months to fill out the forms in screeds of miniscule writing, I used to end up weeping trying to describe what was going on with him as the problems were so vague** & complex
    **so much so that the first doctor who assessed him told me that in his opinion, he was 'just a bit of a mummy's boy' :mad:

    when he was & re-entering school (looong nightmare story :rolleyes:) aged 16, we were assigned a social worker, who took the forms & where I'd struggled & had to write a whole page, she'd use around 3 words! a total eye-opener
    so get some help if you can


    *he's now, after all these years of us trying to train him out of what appeared to be 'obsessive, awkward, nit-picking & bloody-minded behaviour' about to have an ASD assessment
  • SuziQ
    SuziQ Posts: 3,042 Forumite
    I just wanted to feed back and say thankyou once again for all the help I got with this-I mainly used the Cerebra guide.His SENCO at school did a succinct report for the 'anyone else who knows your child bit' it may have been short and sweet but it detailed exactly what he's like,and luckily fitted exactly what I had written (even though she didn't see what I had written.)

    He was awarded high rate care and lower mobility! They have said for 3 years,but I know from last time that they can review it any time.

    They have backdated to mid may when I requested the form,so am really delighted-I have decided to go mad and arrange a couple of days out for him (he is desperate to go to legoland for the day!)we haven't had a holiday for years and rarely do anything in summer hols due to lack of funds,as I didn't know I was getting this backpay I am determined to spend some of it on a few treats for him.
    Phew-can't believe it came back so quickly-prayer does work!
    Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it!
  • Sarahsaver
    Sarahsaver Posts: 8,390 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Good to hear you got a result you are pleased with :)
    What is it with ASD kids and legoland??? Guess where I am taking DS next month :rotfl:
    Member no.1 of the 'I'm not in a clique' group :rotfl:
    I have done reading too!
    To avoid all evil, to do good,
    to purify the mind- that is the
    teaching of the Buddhas.
  • SuziQ
    SuziQ Posts: 3,042 Forumite
    Sarahsaver wrote: »
    Good to hear you got a result you are pleased with :)
    What is it with ASD kids and legoland??? Guess where I am taking DS next month :rotfl:



    Have you been before,and if so,any tips? I have noticed there are several different prices etc. I am not one for 'theme' parks-I make an exception for eurodisney which all my kids love but that's out of my league I'm afraid.I can't stand chesington so hope Legoland is a bit different.
    Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it!
  • Sarahsaver
    Sarahsaver Posts: 8,390 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I have not been before and I am a bit worried cos I will be v pregnant by then:eek: if you look on the legoland site there is a special thing for people with disabilities you can bypass the queues somehow.
    also there are BOGOf vouchers on packets of french Fries and quavers at the moment;)
    We got funding from social services as they have a 'breakaway scheme' for special needs kids, so i applied on the off chance, and got a grant :)
    Member no.1 of the 'I'm not in a clique' group :rotfl:
    I have done reading too!
    To avoid all evil, to do good,
    to purify the mind- that is the
    teaching of the Buddhas.
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