Some Advice

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

Parents
  • 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  

Reply
  • 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  

Children
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