What this section is about
Before filling in the form, you need to stop thinking in terms of diagnosis and start thinking in terms of daily impact. The DWP needs to understand your child's needs on an ordinary difficult day, not just their best day. Many parents understate things because they are used to living this way.
Avoid saying
- My child has autism.
- My child has .
- They struggle sometimes.
- They can be difficult.
- They are fine once settled.
Better ways to explain
- My child requires repeated adult prompting and supervision to complete daily tasks that another child their age would usually manage independently.
- My child has no reliable awareness of danger and requires constant adult supervision outdoors.
- My child's anxiety and sensory needs can cause severe distress, refusal, panic, shutdowns or meltdowns.
Example wording
My child's needs are significantly greater than another child of the same age. They require regular prompting, reassurance, emotional regulation support and close supervision throughout the day. Without this support, they may refuse essential tasks, become distressed, place themselves at risk or be unable to complete daily activities safely.
Evidence that helps
- Diagnosis reports
- School reports
- Professional letters
- /MHST letters
- records
- Occupational therapy reports
- Speech and language reports
- Sleep diary
- Behaviour diary
- Home–school communication
- Photos of safety measures, if relevant
- Medication list
- Incident logs
Common mistakes
- Only writing the diagnosis
- Only describing school behaviour
- Forgetting what happens at home
- Forgetting night-time needs
- Forgetting emotional support
- Forgetting prompts
- Writing about good days only
- Saying "we just manage"
Part of the Bright Steps Ultimate Guide. For the full interactive walkthrough with printable templates, sign in and visit the DLA Guide.