How long will the needs last?
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Duration Guidance
This guidance covers:-
- Autism including Pervasive Development disorder (PDD) or Pathological Demand Avoidance syndrome (PDA)
- Asperger’s Syndrome
The majority of those who will qualify for DLA are unlikely to improve in the longer term. If a significant sleep problem is identified, an initial 5 yr award is suggested followed by a further 5 year award. This is related to the fact that sleep problems tend to improve with age. Should sleep disturbance persist then an indefinite award is appropriate.
Most people with low functioning autism are unable to live independently; even the highest functioning individuals have persistent marked social problems that are often quite disabling. These needs often persist into adulthood. Even with the use of medication, behavioural and psycho-educational therapy; there is unlikely to be a substantial change in function.
| Age at date of claim | Award Period |
|---|---|
| Under 1-16 - no sleep disturbance related night needs present | Award to age 16 (or for 1 year whichever is the longer) |
| Under 1-16 - sleep disturbance related night needs present | Initial award for 5 years followed by a further award of 5 years followed by an Indefinite award |
- Most children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have difficulties that are life-long.
- Intensive, individualised behaviour and treatment programming beginning early in childhood can result in some improvement in functioning, but may not significantly change care/mobility needs.
- Predictors of a poor outcome are -:
- Low IQ and lack of communicative speech by age 5-6 years,
- The presence of epilepsy and other co-morbid disorders.
- Children with low-functioning ASD may never live independently, they typically need home or residential care for the rest of their lives.
- High-functioning children may eventually live independently and successfully work.
Children under school age – ASD diagnosed but unclear whether a Learning Disability is also present
| Age at date of claim | Award Period |
|---|---|
| 1- 4 years | Award to age 5 or two years whichever is the greater |
In cases of young children where it is unclear whether a Learning Disability is present, a short term award is appropriate. This is so that at renewal, the child’s level of cognitive ability can be established once this becomes apparent and a more accurate judgement of whether the child has ‘High’ or ‘Low’ functioning ASD can be made. In most cases it should be clear whether a learning disability is present. For a minority of cases where this is not so, an award to age 5 or for 2 years (whichever is the greater) is appropriate, since certainly by that age Learning Disability should be diagnosed.
