DLA Mobility

[Maggie_moo]

My son is coming up to aged 5 and is severely autistic. We get the care component high rate DLA. I have recently realised his claim isn't reassessed for another year but I can still claim for the lower rate mobility when he turns 5.

 

Can anyone tell me if I will have to re-apply for the care componant at the same time if I make a new claim for mobility?Any replies appreciated:)

[msowing]

My son is coming up to aged 5 and is severely autistic. We get the care component high rate DLA. I have recently realised his claim isn't reassessed for another year but I can still claim for the lower rate mobility when he turns 5.

 

Can anyone tell me if I will have to re-apply for the care componant at the same time if I make a new claim for mobility?Any replies appreciated:)

 

Hi

I too have a severly autisitc son (he's now 22 yrs old).

 

You can claim for mobility separately you dont have to wait until the care componant runs out. You just fill in the mobility part of the DLA form (I believe they are still on same form been a while since I filled one in). You dont have to re-apply for care (you do that when it runs out).

 

BTW if your son has sever behaviour problems and is severly mentally impaired (sorry im not being rude about your son or making presumtions), and have higher rate care componant you can qualify for the higher rate mobility. They offer you lower first but you have to push them.

Hope that helps.

[Bookworm]

Grrr, bloody forum went down as I hit the reply button.

 

Anyway:

 

You don't ask for either, you fill in the forms and they decide what to award according to the replies. Be aware that it's very hard for autistics to get high rate mobility, so you'll have to be very careful on how you fill the forms in and very thorough.

 

NAS has guides to help here, further links on the side of the page.

 

The National Autistic Society - DLA high rate mobility: the basics

[Bookworm]

Sorry, just read msowing's reply and realised that I misunderstood the question.

[Maggie_moo]

Thank you, have read the link, the forms are a minefield arent they! Taking him out is a nightmare, going to the supermarket isnt too bad as hes familiar with the environment but family gatherings are out of the question, even walking down the street he lashes out hes particularly partial to pulling hair. He has to wear reins all the time when out as he wont hold hands and runs into the road. That in itself is becoming a problem because the reins are getting too small and he blows a gasket when you try a wriststrap!

 

As hes getting bigger hes getting harder to control too, I used to be able to pick him up(pedestrian crossings, its like like trying to hold back a raging tiger as he's fighting to throw himself across the road) but he attacks me now its difficult as you know.

 

thanks everyone for the replies:)

[Bookworm]

They are a minefield, yes. I am in the process of appealing the lower rate mobility for my son who now he's 12, well, the difficulties are getting worse as well, so I know exactly what you're saying, but I have to tell you that at the age of 5, I'll be surprised if you get anywhere on that account as they'll say that a 5 yrs old would be expected to be accompanied everywhere anyway and kept under constant supervision, etc... I am not saying this to discourage you, don't get me wrong, but to make you aware of how on the ball you'll have to be to get it and be ready for the fact that you may well have to go to tribunal as well.

[Maggie_moo]

Of course, understand where you are coming from, it's more about the lack of awareness of danger and the behavioral difficulties, but whether theres a significant difference in my sons mobility and a 'normal' child of the same age, well, it's obvious to me in the day to day running of things there is, whether an official reading on paper would see it that way is another matter!

 

It's the little things that are so hard, when I take him on the bus for example I have to keep him away from people because if he gets stressed he will lash out or pull hair:-x

 

I will bear what you have said in mind Bookworm, think I may just try for the lower rate and see what happens:)

[msowing]

Of course, understand where you are coming from, it's more about the lack of awareness of danger and the behavioral difficulties, but whether theres a significant difference in my sons mobility and a 'normal' child of the same age, well, it's obvious to me in the day to day running of things there is, whether an official reading on paper would see it that way is another matter!

 

It's the little things that are so hard, when I take him on the bus for example I have to keep him away from people because if he gets stressed he will lash out or pull hair:-x

 

I will bear what you have said in mind Bookworm, think I may just try for the lower rate and see what happens:)

 

Dont forget to write everything down on the form including all you've said about the road and buses etc, it all helps.

I know its no help but I know exactly what you're going through, been there.

Good luck with the claim.

[Maggie_moo]

Thanks msowing, will do:)

[Bookworm]

Of course, understand where you are coming from, it's more about the lack of awareness of danger and the behavioral difficulties, but whether theres a significant difference in my sons mobility and a 'normal' child of the same age, well, it's obvious to me in the day to day running of things there is, whether an official reading on paper would see it that way is another matter!

Yes, but at his age, they'll say that's the difference between getting lower mobility or no mobility at all, you see.

It's the little things that are so hard, when I take him on the bus for example I have to keep him away from people because if he gets stressed he will lash out or pull hair:-x

Don't I know it, my lad is nearly as tall as me now and I am ever so grateful we have a car.

I will bear what you have said in mind Bookworm, think I may just try for the lower rate and see what happens:)

That's the wrong way of thinking. Write everything down as it is, describe everything on its worse case scenario, don't underestimate anything (our natural tendency to protect our kids), say it like it is, as often as it is, as bad as it gets. Believe me, DLA doesn't need any help from you to try and give you as little as they can, so aim for the higher and take it from there. If you get lower and are happy with that, great. If not, you can get it reviewed and then appeal. But always aim for highest in the first place, you don't get brownie points for not trying.

[Maggie_moo]

lol point taken:lol: will try my best for my son, really appreciate the advice:)