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Have you applied for Disabilty Living allowance? I'm afraid the 'diagnosis' does not make receiving dla automatic, but if you get it on one of the middle/higher rates it opens other doorseg:tax credits, cinema passes, travel passes and carers allowance if you earn less than a set amount (think it might be £85 - £100 a week) & work with your child 35+ hoursd a weekit also helps if you go to theme parks etc as they have offers for people who can proove a disability & often allow them to avoid the long queues.depending on needs at home you may also get a reduction in council tax

do you receive DLA?DLA for children is tricky really as one has to show how their child's needs are different to their peers - but lots of autistic children would qualify. if he needs help above what another child he age does then it is worth applying.it is a long hard form to fill out - i think 50ish pages.your SW or HV can help you apply....if you get tax credits having DLA increases the amount you can claimhth, FM

lonsdale beat me to it

Thanks all. Looks like the first week back to school will be spent on the phone.

ring for a dla form asap, as they give you quite a long time to fill it in and will backdate your claim to date of phonecall rather than date receive formcouncil tax backdate to beginning of tax year in Aprill

Just thought of something i should have asked at the beginning. How severe does autism need to be to count as a disability? That sounds an awful question and I don't mean to be disrespectful.washiewoo is at the mild end of the spectrum, and I am often conscious that he may come across as just an undisciplined child. He is quite capable of doing many things, it's just a case of depending on the situation and his mood as regards to how much I have to do for him.

Thanks garden. I forgot how bad he can get actually, until today when we went shoe shopping - AAARRRGGGGHHHH. After 2 hours in one shop, we've got to do it again because he wouldn't put any on his feet.

you can use that as an example on your dla form, but also use more everyday situations where he struggles & DO NOT put it in a positive way as you won't get anything!all the bestl

our local autistic society run classes in helping fill the forms in re DLA. There is also a website that i know people have used - can't remember the name of it right now, - I'll have a think today.

Use the guidlines from the contact a family website:http://www.cafamily.org.uk/pdfs/DLA_factsheet.pdfIf you feel you would you would like someone to actually help you fill the dreaded forms in then you can give contact a family a call and see if they have a support worker in your area. If they do they can arrange to come and help you with them. Our local worker is great - they will also tell you of other things you are entitled to and whats on offer in your area.Finally.... remember to photocopy your completed forms, you may need them for future reference.HTHA xx