• Replies 4 replies
  • Subscribers 25 subscribers
  • Views 1096 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Some Advice

starsmile

Hi

My son is to be formally diagnosed with Autism at the end of the month at a team around the child meeting.  The diagnosis was confirmed by the consultant, and he said that he would place on the middle of the spectrum.  Now this is where I would like some advice and guidance - to what 'middle of the spectrum' is for others? and also when the offical meeting takes place should I be asking any questions or raising anything else at this?  (My son is just short of being 3).

I have the DLA claim forms as the specialist HV suggested that I should apply as she felt he was eligable, but oh my - just knowing what to put in, and it varies so much weekly - some night I just need to settle him a couple of times a night (perhaps 5-10 mins max) and then I can get a week or more where he is up for 3+ hrs during the night wanting to watch beloved Thomas. - how to get this accorss - some say write it as if the bad happens and some say write the normal/average - which there is none, I wish I knew how much sleep I may get....?

 

With hope of some answers or suggestions.

 

Many thanks

  • Hi there,

    Please be aware you do not need to fill out these horrible DLA forms on your own. There are people out there who can help you. I use the citizens advise centre but I know that other places like the carers centres etc also help people. If the forms are filled out correctly in the first place, I swear they use a different language at the DLA office than the rest of us and thats what can make a difference!, it can help the stress levels by avoiding appeals etc and if it does have to go to appeal they then represent you. Please get proffesional advise, i didnt at first so I learnt the hard way and had to appeal right up to tribunal level. Happy ending though I did get DLA in the end. Also if you have already filled in forms on your own and need to appeal, its not too late you can approach people to help at any stage.

    good luck

    Sam

     

  • Hi there,

     I have only this week been awarded DLA for my 4 years old son .I applied for it in may and at first I was refused as they only contacted the nursery and not his doctor . I asked for a review and I wrote a 4 page letter describe his daily routine including night time and I put in the best case scenario and the worst case .I found the form doesn't allow you to express yourself correctly . DLA is awarded if the care that you provide your son is more than is required for any other child of that age not for his diagnosis . Be honest about the amount of care that you provide as I felt that I took the amount of care I give as the norm but after keeping a diary for 2 weeks discovered that is not the case . I think we are all guilty of this    I hope this helps you a little x

     

    shirley

  • Hello Starsmile

    Here is some useful information about lots of aspects of DLA:
    http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/benefits-and-community-care/disability-living-allowance.aspx
    The section for parents/carers and the frequently asked questions info might be of particular interest before you start filling in the form.
    Good luck with it and please let us know if you're having any trouble with any part of it once you get started - I'm sure lots of our users will be very interested in this.

    Sandra - mod

  • Hello Starsmile. With ref to filling in the DLA form; firstly, write out your answers on a scrap piece of paper and edit them until you are satisfied with what you are going to put in the boxes on the form. If your answers will take up a lot of room and you are not sure they'll fit in the boxes, make faint pencil lines about half a centimetre apart with a ruler across the answer boxes on the DLA form so that you can use the box fully and still be neat. Write in black biro pen then rub out the pencil lines afterwards.

    Write down exactly what you have explained here, that sometimes your son needs settling a few times in the night which might take approx ten mins each time, but other times he is up for more than three hours in the night and will need to watch his favourite DVD before he can be settled again.

    The form might ask for any supporting evidence, letter or statement from a teacher or a doctor (or the specialist HV?) with knowledge of your son's behaviour, which you can send in with the DLA form to support your claim. If your claim is rejected, don't give up, you have the right to appeal, and it is well worth doing this, because you can be successful after appealing when the first claim has failed. Best Wishes. x