My son is six years old and has Dyspraxia he currently has a Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist and has problems with his balance and co ordination

He has problems dressing, using a knife and fork and balance and very accident prone.

He wets the bed at night and is currently getting additional support equipment for his schooling

he can walk but cannot stand for long periods of time due to weak muscle tone

They have given us a list of equipment he will need at home but cannot provide this (lovely nhs cut backs)

Can we claim anything to pay for this DLA or otherwise

we just want the best for our son to provide him with the eqipment to have a more comfortable life?

Experts will be along soon xx But from what you have said. well worth applying. You could speak to your doctor and say you intend to apply and he can make sure the case notes are up to date with care needs and he can write on sons behalf.xxx

Are you on benefits?

Have you heared of the community grant? They got me a disabled shower as not safe in bath.

My 10 year son has dyspraxia and like your little boy, has much the same problems. He is on the waiting list to see an OT at present. The school nurse made the diagnosis of dyspraxia - he has NOT been officially diagnosed by the Occupational therapist as yet. The waiting list is really long here.

Yes, you can make a claim for DLA, an official diagnosis makes it easier, but it's not always necessary. Don't be put off by the size of the form and if you get refused, appeal. Nearly everyone gets refused first time unfortunately.

I would say, yes you can make a claim for DLA

DLA is payable based upon the care and mobility needs, not the condition in itself. You will hear of people saying you cannot get DLA for dyspraxia alone - this is absolute tosh. You can get it.

My son is six years old and has Dyspraxia he currently has a Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist and has problems with his balance and co ordination

 

does he have difficulty walking due to his balance and co-ordination? If so, does he need more assistance than the average child of his age to ensure he does not come to harm whilst mobilising?

 

He has problems dressing, using a knife and fork and balance and very accident prone.

Does he require your assistance to feed himself If so does he need this assistance frequently throughout the day?

 

He wets the bed at night and is currently getting additional support equipment for his schooling

 

He wets the bed; If you need to change him during the night, DLA will argue that this is not a care need as the need can be removed by the use of incontinence aids such as a nappy for example. The additional equipment he gets at school may also be argued that this is not attention or supervision over and above the average child; if he receives 1:1 support, then yes this is "attention" for DLA purposes

 

he can walk but cannot stand for long periods of time due to weak muscle tone

Does he need assistance or supervision with this?

They have given us a list of equipment he will need at home but cannot provide this (lovely nhs cut backs)

DLA are notorious in that if the equipment will reduce or eliminate a need, then that need will not be considered.

 

Can we claim anything to pay for this DLA or otherwise

 

we just want the best for our son to provide him with the eqipment to have a more comfortable life?

As you will see from my bits in red, to receive DLA he needs to have care and mobility needs arising from his disability to qualify. In addition, because he is a child, it needs to be demonstrated that those needs are significantly greater than the needs of other children of the same age and sex who do not have his disability. They will consider attention and supervision which is "reasonably required" as a result of his disability.

Certainly worth applying. I've heard of several people who get DLA for a child with dyspraxia. A wee tip; get help in completing the claim forms, as they are long and labourious. Assistance can be given by CAB or Welfare Rights. Also submit all the evidence you have: OT reports, and reports from any other professionals involved in your son's care. DLA will usually write to a professional in any case however they will not write to all of them which can throw a claim off balance if they only have the opinion of one or two of the professionals, particularly if they choose to write to the people who have the least to do with your son's care.

Erikas, hit the nail on the head again:D

Welfare rights are fantastic and were with me, I freak out at huge forms, or cab these people are angels.xx

Are you on benefits?

Have you heared of the community grant? They got me a disabled shower as not safe in bath.

I've just had a quick look into "Community Care Grants" - a "gateway benefit is required e.g. getting Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit, or payment on account of one of these benefits. These grants come under the "discretionary social fund" so they can be refused at the discretion of the "Decision Maker".

Have a look at the DWP web site (link above) and if think you're still eligible you can find out more about what things you may claim for here. Go to page 30 and scroll down to "Direction 4 (a)(ii) - Helping people to stay in the community" and read on from there up to page 37.

Best regards and good luck,

Paul.

Dyspraxia is included on the DWP's A-Z of medical conditions so they obviously acknowledge that individuals with this condition may make a claim for DLA. As others have said it is not the condition but the way the condition affects you. A diagnosis of any medical condition is not needed for a claim but it does help.