Just this week, i have been told my 3 yr old son has ‘tracies’ of Autism.
He is undergoing Child Development at Rotherham hospital, its includes 3 appointments, the first 2 are like a nursary thing and people play with him and basically write down a report on what they think of him.
the 3rd appointment is a medical, where you see a doctor, and he asks questions and reads the reports on what the peole have written down. This is what the doctor told me, that he has tracies of Autism…
Now to figure out what sort it is or how bad it is, they come to watch him at school/nursary, and also at home, there is currently a waiting list for this which takes upto 4 mths.
In the meantime, as its new to us, its a case of me and my hubby learning to cope with him, and knowing how to react with him. I have been told to apply for DLA for him…
This is what i want to question about?? Now even though Autism is new to me, i dont actually see him being disabled, i see disabled being in a wheelchair etc (sorry for those who are) But is this right for me to apply for DLA???
What i have heard Autism is getting more and more popular now and there is alot of help around, but can i actually get DLA for him?? Inc the care part.
Hi David,
DLA is for children who are considered disabled;
You’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.
Therefore if your son requires more support than a ‘typical’ 3 year old, then he is entitled to have DLA claimed on his behalf. This money can be used to make your lives easier - to buy sensory equipment he might need ( a swing, homemade ball pool, big physic ball to roll on, a bubble tube etc); to make your home safer/ more autism proof; to pay for support e.g. a specialised babysitter or a cleaner etc
Hi David,
My son is now 40, he was very hyperactive when he was little, needed constant attention to keep him safe, so he had DLA from the age of 3. Later, we found that he had been brain damaged at birth. (Long sad story).
The key issue is whether your child needs substantially more attention that someone else of his age, regardless of whether or not he can walk. My son just ran everywhere!!!
This assessment period is incredibly difficult, so be kind to yourself. If you have been told to apply for DLA, then do so asap. It will also mean that if someone in the family is not working, they will usually be entitled to Carers Allowance. You may also be entitled to help from The Family Fund. This is government money, not charity!
My top tip would be to accept all help offered, don’t say “we can manage”. Spend some of the DLA on making life at home as easy as possible, especially a dishwasher and a tumble dryer if you don’t have one already. Feel free to ask me whatever you are concerned about, either on the forum or with a PM (Private Message).
hello David. You are lucky that someone told you about DLA. i saw nurses, doctors, consultants, special school teachers, school governors etc over the years and not one person ever suggested my daughter was entitled to it. We never got a penny from anywhere until another Mum told me about it when she was 16!!