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Post by mudlark on Jun 5, 2014 11:04:33 GMT
Yesterday our PASW said we should apply for DLA (disability living allowance) for Lapwing due to the fact she has an attachment disorder and needs additional care.
I had never heard of DLA being given for this reason and wondered if anyone has any experience of this?
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Post by milly on Jun 5, 2014 11:18:15 GMT
I have never applied for DLA but my impression from the reading what others have said is that it is based on the child's care needs, not a diagnosis.
So you would detail exactly what they required over and above a "normal" child of their age.
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Post by serrakunda on Jun 5, 2014 11:23:13 GMT
Milly is right, Im sure diagnosis help make it clearer but you have to demonstrate what that means in terms of the extra care and support the child needs over and above what is expected for the average child
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Post by sooz on Jun 5, 2014 13:55:39 GMT
Hi there.my ds has no dx but gets dla.
It's not the cause or the why, but the symptoms.
Have a read through the form, you can download it, look at some of the questions.
Pasw should be able to help and provide an independent view/support.
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Post by donatella on Jun 5, 2014 17:38:13 GMT
Two of mine get dla, both awarded pre any diagnosis.
It's based on what additional care they need over and above what you would normally expect of a child of the same age.
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Post by monkey on Jun 5, 2014 20:57:22 GMT
We too get DLA for our LO with no real diagnosis.
There are various guides available on writing the application. I used the Cerebra one.
If you're not confident get some help as it's quite daunting - and depressing.
If you don't ask - you don't get.
Good luck with it.
MM
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Post by jellies on Jun 6, 2014 8:24:57 GMT
I get DLA for EJ. So long ago I don't remember if it was pre or post diagnosis of Attachment Disorder. Actually think it was immediately after but had been working on the dreaded form for a long time before. So when the diagnosis was made (had to reapply to apply as the time limit had run out) it did help in a tiny way as I think seeing a consultant child psychiatrists name on the form probably helped the DWP to understand that needs were `real`. So just to reiterate what the others have said - it is not about a diagnosis , it is about the care and mobility needs of your child and about how little they can do as opposed to their peers. I had a detailed knowledge of AD and obviously my son's needs, getting that across on paper though was an entirely different matter and something that I needed help with. At that time, local carer's group had a benefits advisor who spent a whole day with me going through my draft form - by the end of the day it looked very different - because in truth, my draft didn't tell the truth. Only after finishing it did the stark reality of caring for my then 8yr old hit home.
7 yrs on, I need to contact the DWP as from next January (EJ will be 16) we have to change from DLA to (? name) PIP personal independence plan/payment - that's going to get interesting bearing in mind that EJ says he is fine - hmm, but he still needs the light on at bedtime, still could not travel anywhere independenty in a safe manner, still requires 1 to 1 in a small EBD school - I could go on.
Bottom line is - due to his needs I have not been able to work, the DLA/carers allowance/ tax credits are the only thing that has stopped us going under - so please apply for it asap. Word of warning , if you work and are eliglble for carers allowance - you won't get it if you earn more than £100 per week. If you do work but find that that doesn't work out later down the line - you can always apply for carers allowance later.
So short answer is - yes, we got DLA purely for his needs arising from his attachment disorder.
Jellies
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Post by damson on Jun 6, 2014 15:05:26 GMT
Hi Mudlark Nottinghamshire used to have a worker to help people fill out the DLA forms, as the form is hard to do. Carers centres can be a real help. I went to a workshop run by family support people where I live. Get help. Start keeping a practical diary of all the things you do for your children (both of them), and how long it takes. If you have to get up in the night, it is v. important to put that in, as that ups the level significantly. It is all about physical/ practical care. So emotional stuff is tricky to write, but can be re-jigged to fit. Let us know if you succeed  It is well worth the effort. |
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Post by mudlark on Jun 7, 2014 10:09:56 GMT
Thanks for the replies, I have had a look at the forms, they seem very detailed. The thing I am going to find hardest is detailing the behaviour and painting what will be a bleak picture of these two lovely children.
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Post by sooz on Jun 7, 2014 12:30:25 GMT
It is particularly hard to detail all the negative stuff, it never paints an accurate description of the child with all their wonderful ways, but the positives are not where they need extra help or support.
I remember when the senco gave me a copy of a report on DS when we were applying for his statement. As she handed it over she said, before you read this just remember this isn't what we think of him at school, it's just what we need to list down to get him the help he needs.
I'm so glad she said that because it was really hard reading.
Xx
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