Child DLA

Bellasdream

Hi I have a daughter aged 11 with privately diagnosed dyslexia and adhd. She needs prompting to shower, brush teeth, she wets the bed so bed linen changes, sometimes she conceals it so room she shares smells and needs deep cleaning, extra time is spent helping with school work. She is becoming increasingly verbally abusive and threatening violence so managing her is time consuming especially when she's got 2 older siblings and a younger one. Can I claim DLA for her? I have asked for a form but I'm unsure of whether it would be successful. I too have my own health issues which this is impacting on. Thanks in advance 

poppy123456

No one can tell you whether a claim for DLA will be successful because we don't know anything about your daughters conditions.

You need to prove she has more care and attention needs than that of another child the same age who doesn't have a disability. The fact that she has 2 siblings isn't taken into consideration.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/disability-living-allowance/help-with-your-dla-claim/help-with-dla-form/

Bellasdream

Thanks @poppy123456 my point about siblings was just that because of the additional attention she needs it's affecting them obviously I don't have the time they need. I've got 6 children ranging from 24 to 3 and I've never known anything like this, the impact of her condition is almost becoming damaging to the rest of the family. I just need to find a way of wording the form to illustrate how significant her additional needs are. 

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Bellasdream

I see Poppy has answered the DLA part of your questions but I wanted to comment as you mentioned how time consuming everything has been. I'm so sorry, it must be so frustrating.

You mentioned your daughter was privately diagnosed, I wanted to ask if they have offered support or have referred you to any government body like CAMHS? 

I also wanted to comment to let you know about Young Minds. They are a mental health organisation but have some great guidance and information for parents of children with ADHD. If that helps at all? They are really lovely to speak to.

You always have us here too

Bellasdream

@Hannah_Scope thank you hannah. Support had been pretty dyer since diagnosis, gp won't refer to services without blood tests, wait time for them is 5 months. School have eventually gotten on board and I've emailed them today with an online link for a referral to our local hospital. I'll look into the services you have mentioned. My mental health is in its boots as I cant cope with her, I don't enjoy our home when she's here, I know that must sound awful but with my own health issues it's really difficult. We also have no family support. You are all so kind on here, thank you.

Hannah_Alumni

I'm so sorry, please contact your GP or and organisation like SHOUT if you feel you want to chat with someone, and you do have us here too.

My cousin has children with Autism, I know what you mean. I've seen how hard it can be and you are so amazingly strong to be here and asking for advice.

The wait time for blood tests is 5 months or the services? I know some chemists do blood tests but they can come at a cost. 

Bellasdream

@Hannah_Scope hospital for bloods to be honest I could do them myself as I'm a nurse but I don't think she'd let me.

Hannah_Alumni

@Bellasdream that's a huge wait! Hopefully you can get them done for her soon 🤞