Thank you.Sorry to hear about your son. Disibility Allowance is incredibly difficult to get and will require lots of medical reports and likely an actual Diagnosis confirmed. It's also means tested.
Attached is a link outlining info on DA.
I know a few adults who have been awarded the allowance but after an initial refusal. Your Sons GP will also play an important role in the process.
I'm sure when a confirmed diagnosis is reached the process will be more straightforward but do understand it can take many months to get approval, I also believe initial applications can be declined and its the appeal process that involves a thouragh review of all the medical data, reports etc.
Good luck
Disability Allowance
A weekly payment to people that have an injury, illness or disability which is expected to last more than a year. Find out how to qualify and rates of payment.www.citizensinformation.ie
It's an extremely difficult time for you, I am sure and it's very important to retain all and any information during your son's Journey . I've no doubt when the time comes to looking at long term income supports etc you'll have everything required and certainly wise to gather as much information on the processes, especially Disability allowance as it can take many months to get approved . I wish you both well
Great News,I've finally obtained a date for private ASD assessment and expect to have full report this summer.
Is there anything needed from psychologist in relation to applying for DA or is report enough for application?
Ive also managed to get a GP and meeting her next week to ask for referral to CAHMS.
Great News,
It's hard to know how many visits will be required to psychologist for them to determine, confirm diagnosis, at a guess they'll not do a report immediately, might take time but best to have when starting application for the DA.
Your sons new GP will also need to assess the situation before a referral to CAHMS, was there a previous GP dealing with your Son if so your new GP could request medical records etc and expedite a referral. Your making progress and fingers crossed.
This may be a little bit outside the question you have asked but having some experience with this I think it's important not to let these diagnoses define and label someone. What's generally defined as the "autism spectrum" is very broad and there is no scientific consensus on what exactly it entails. Many people who are diagnosed as falling on this spectrum live perfectly fulfilling, productive and happy lives. There is nothing "wrong" with them, they just interact a little differently with others than the "average" person. There is what is now called a lot of "neurodiversity" in the population and this is a good thing as society needs people with different inclinations, abilities and character traits. I hope that in a couple of years' time society will completely stop medicalising this or treating it as a disability.
This may be a little bit outside the question you have asked but having some experience with this I think it's important not to let these diagnoses define and label someone. What's generally defined as the "autism spectrum" is very broad and there is no scientific consensus on what exactly it entails. Many people who are diagnosed as falling on this spectrum live perfectly fulfilling, productive and happy lives. There is nothing "wrong" with them, they just interact a little differently with others than the "average" person. There is what is now called a lot of "neurodiversity" in the population and this is a good thing as society needs people with different inclinations, abilities and character traits. I hope that in a couple of years' time society will completely stop medicalising this or treating it as a disability.
Ok i wasnt aware of that. Hes nearly 16. The liaison /SENco in the school pointed me that direction. Ive got him waitlisted with Pieta House and also just added him to VHI so he has some more options.You don't say how old your son is. But if he's old enough for DA (I think 16 is the minimum age) then he's probably too old for CAMHS. As far as I recall they don't take new referrals for 16 and 17 year olds, but will keep teenagers until age 18 if they are already in the service.
Regarding accepting 16 and 17 year olds - I'm going from memory and it's a while since my family member attended CAMHS - so I could be wrong or out of date. But the sooner the referral goes in, the better. The CAMHS service is also very busy and it is hard to get in - but if there are self harm concerns that is likely to be taken seriously. Maybe your son's former counsellor can support the referral in some way?
Hi Dubdub,
I have 2 children/teens diagnosed with Aspergers.
Elder of the 2 was in/near CAMHS because he made comments to his teachers which sent up all of the flags, seems he is the same age as your YP (that means young person, get used to it). CAMHS dropped him like a (very relieved) hot potato when he got the diagnosis. That was about 6 years ago, I don't know if there has been a change.
Separately, expect a "discussion" with Revenue who seem to think that Autism only appears when the diagnosis does.
Good Luck, feel free to post here or DM if you want.
Edit: sorry if I'm being negative - it's a *lot*
Sorry dubdub, only seeing this now.
You can apply for the Incapacitated Child Credit, it amounts to €3300 per year so quite sizeable. When you convince them that it has been present since birth you then apply to review the previous 4 years as well (that's how far back you can go with Revenue) and get a refund.
I'd be reluctant to not inform CAMHS if you do get a diagnosis just on the basis that it's rarely a good idea to keep back info which may be relevant.
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