12 – Child’s age: 7 years

2013/12 – Child’s age: 7 years

Diagnosis: Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD)

Report of oral hearing: The appellant advised that she has three children, and that [M] is the middle child in the family. She said she first noticed problems as [M] appeared to be slow with everything. A discussion ensued where the following points were made:

[M] comes out of school with no expression whatsoever on his face
He has no real friends
The school recommended that he be assessed
They took him for assessment privately as it would have taken years on the public waiting list
He was given a diagnosis of ASD and DCD
He has 4 ½ resource hours at school and they are looking for a SNA
When he does swimming in school, she has to go as he cannot dress himself
She has to accompany him on school tours
Routine is a major factor for him and change causes significant difficulties
Where change occurs, he can have a meltdown – kicking, biting and screaming
Homework takes ages
He wakes about 4 or 5 times every night
He eats constantly and he is obsessed by the colour orange
If anyone touches his toys he goes ‘ballistic’
If the baby cries he rolls the buggy outside the door as the noise annoys him
He has a fascination with fire and, despite a fire guard, will poke at it and cannot be left on his own
He is waiting for sensory therapy but unless he goes privately, it will take years

Comments/Conclusions: From the evidence available, the Appeals Officer considered it clear that the appellant’s son has major difficulties with any deviation from routine. He noted her account of the child’s social difficulties, his obsession with fire and the fact that he is a danger to himself and to his family in this regard. In addition, he noted that [M] does not sleep well. Overall, he was satisfied that the criteria for receipt of DCA were met.

Decision of the Appeals Officer: The appeal is allowed.