Related information

To help determine if the child or young person meets the criteria for the Child Disability Allowance, we have provided the following examples.

Examples of disorders that are always likely to qualify for the Child Disability Allowance include:

• degenerative neurological conditions (eg Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy)
  Suggested review period – Never
• syndromes which cause intellectual disability and significant impairments in self-care and behaviour (eg Downs Syndrome)
  Suggested review period – Never

Examples of disorders that can vary in severity include:

Asthma

Jane is a 12 year old with severe asthma who needs reliever inhalers administered 2-4 times a day. She is too unwell to attend school several times each month, cannot play sport and has sudden asthma attacks requiring emergency hospital care 4-6 times a year. Jane’s illness creates significant family disruption.

Jane is likely to qualify for the Child Disability Allowance.
Suggested review period – 2 years

Mere is a 10 year old with asthma who needs a preventer inhaler administered twice a day. She infrequently gets wheezy, plays hockey, and has needed oral steroids from her GP once this year.

Mere is unlikely to qualify for the Child Disability Allowance.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

John is a 4 year old with autism who has no speech, behaviour which is difficult to manage and requires constant close supervision.

John is likely to qualify for the Child Disability Allowance.
Suggested review period – 5 years

Adam is a 14 year old with Asperger Syndrome, who is coping with some social dysfunction and is in a mainstream school. He is independent with self-care and his behaviour is generally no more challenging for his parents to manage than that of his peers.

Adam is unlikely to qualify for the Child Disability Allowance.

Cerebral Palsy

Fiona is an 8 year old who has spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. She needs splints and crutches to walk, or uses a wheelchair. She requires assistance with getting dressed.

Fiona is likely to qualify for the Child Disability Allowance.
Suggested review period – 5 years

Philip is an 11 year old with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. He can walk and run, but has a slight limp. His left arm is weaker than his right, but he writes well and is independent with dressing.

Philip is unlikely to qualify for the Child Disability Allowance.

Diabetes Mellitus

Sarah is an 8 year old who has insulin dependant diabetes. She requires her parent to administer multiple injections each day, closely supervise and regulate her normal activities such as eating and exercise, and cope with frequent complications requiring medical intervention. As Sarah grows older she will learn to manage her diabetes.

Sarah is likely to qualify for the Child Disability Allowance.
Suggested review period – 5 years

Peter is an obese 14 year old with glucose intolerance. He is required to closely monitor his diet and avoid sweets and soft drinks. He currently has no other medical complications.

Peter is unlikely to qualify for the Child Disability Allowance.

Allergies

Kiri is a 5 year old who has a severe allergy to dairy products. She has constant eczema to her face and trunk. When exposed to milk products she becomes wheezy and flushed. Her diet requires close monitoring and she has been hospitalised three times in the past year.

Kiri is likely to qualify for the Child Disability Allowance.
Suggested review period – 2 years

Stuart is a 12 year old who has had an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting while playing in the school yard a year ago. He now carries an Epi-pen with him at all times. He wears a medic alert bracelet.

Stuart is unlikely to qualify for the Child Disability Allowance.

Skin conditions

James is a 6 year old who has atopic eczema to his trunk and limbs. He requires daily dressings to affected areas and takes regular anti-histamine medication. He requires short courses of oral steroids when the eczema flares up. His skin condition means he is distracted and has difficulty getting to sleep. He is limited in his outdoor activities because of his dressings and constant irritation from his skin condition.

James is likely to qualify for the Child Disability Allowance.
Suggested review period – 2 years

Leanne is a 14 year old girl who has psoriasis to her scalp and hands. She applies daily topical medication and takes the occasional medicated bath. Although conscious of her appearance, she is otherwise well and enjoys an active life.

Leanne is unlikely to qualify for the Child Disability Allowance.

Dyslexia

Emma is a 7 year old who has dyslexia which has impacted her ability to read, write, draw, spell and do math. On further discussion it was identified that she had Developmental Dyspraxia. She has problems with fine motor skills, is generally clumsy, unable to toilet, dress herself, play safely without supervision and does not recognise obstacles or dangers.  

Emma is likely to qualify for Child Disability Allowance.
Suggested review period – 5 years

Graham is a 9 year old who has moderately severe dyslexia. His spelling, writing, reading and math skills are affected. He is receiving tutoring from SPELD for 1.5 hours a week. He enjoys playing sport. He is able to identify and avoid dangerous situations and take care of himself.

Graham is unlikely to qualify for Child Disability Allowance.