Hi,
I'm in the same boat and was really hoping there might be some group that is lobbying to change this. As the government changed FTB to extend past 16 if the child was in school, then they should have also extended Carers Allowance. For one payment they are a child dependent and for the other they are suddenly an adult!!

My identical twins were finally diagnosed with Aspergers at 15 years - after about 3 years of actively struggling to get help (after years of not knowing what was going on) and an initial wrong diagnosis by Autism SA then a correct one down the track with the Womens and Children's Hospital Child Development Unit. Anyway, long long story.

But it meant that we got the Carers Allowance for about a year - what a help that was - especially as I can't work as much. Now they're 16 and I really don't think they would be qualified under the adult test, yet I'm still doing all that I was before, nothing has changed. It upsets me that there is such emphasis placed on giving funding to early diagnosis (yes they should) but that the ones who have fallen through the cracks or don't "present" typically - like identical twins don't have similar funding to help after a late diagnosis.

Luckily although the payment has stopped, finally having an NEP (compulsory now with this diagnosis) means that the school has to help us. But even that took over a year and a complete breakdown of communication with the school and involvement of a Disabilities Advocate (amazing results & support!). Now my boys get weekly counselling sessions - really these are organisational sessions - where the counsellor goes through all work due and breaks down the goals and finally, finally they are getting the help at school they have always needed. They are in Year 11.... And more help would be better, but compared to what we endured at another high school for years 8 & 9 before the diagnosis and before I fought for this at the school they've been at since the beginning of Year 10 (just after the diagnosis) there is a HUGE difference.

Are you in SA, Abbott? (that's if you do see this thread reply). Because in terms of getting a school to help I definitely understand what you are going through, and could give you some details about my battle & how that's been resolved.

I asked at Autism SA (we are now on their books but there aren't really services for kids my boys age) about getting the form filled in for the adult carers assessment & was told they don't do it there, but a suggestion was to apply for Disability Support Pension as it was easier to get than Carers for kids like ours. I think my boys don't need that, we just need that extra help at least until 18 with the Carers Allowance. Anyway I believe the qualifications for DSP have tightened up since the woman who gave me that advice applied for it with her son.

All I can suggest is that you take "advantage" of the way they don't cancel Carers Allowance until 3 months after the child turns 16. If you hold off putting in the forms - which I did - until that 3 months it's 3 months extra payment. If you put the forms in just after he turns 16 & you're not eligible they'll cancel you straight away.

I've put my forms in - just before cancellation - and the payment has stopped but I keep contacting and when I have enough money to see an occupational therapist again I might get them to fill in the TDR and see how we go. We are seeing a Psychologist but they are not counted when it comes to these forms !?!* Again, another unfair boundary after the 16 year mark.

Any input from anyone who knows any more would be welcome :)

Cheers, Bronwyn