Information on specific conditions and disabilities

To qualify for a Child Disability Allowance, the child must:

• have a physical, sensory, psychiatric or intellectual disability and
• need constant care and attention because of that disability and
• be likely to need that care for more than 12 months 

Eligibility is not based on the presence of a specific condition or disability, but on the effect that it has on the child's need for constant care and attention.

The extent of impairment or impact of the condition or disability should be indicated on the medical certificate signed by their registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner and should be used to assess the level of constant care and attention required.

The information below includes several conditions and disabilities that may require extra consideration, depending on the:

• severity of the condition or disability and
• age/stage of the child.

It also includes some additional factors that should be considered when determining eligibility for Child Disability Allowance.

Note the list of conditions below is not a complete list.

Each case should be considered on its own circumstances. If it is unclear, MSD should seek advice from the Regional Health Advisor or Regional Disability Advisor.

Amputees or loss of limb(s)

The loss of a single limb does not necessarily qualify a child for Child Disability Allowance, particularly where rehabilitation services and prostheses are available, and the child is managing their disability independently.

Children who are severely impacted and need constant care and attention due to amputation or loss of limb(s) would likely qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Clients may qualify for Civilian Amputee Assistance to help with some of the costs when they are required to attend a limb centre to a have an artificial limb fitted, adjusted, or repaired.

For more information see:

• Civilian Amputee Assistance

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects many children. It impacts the part of the brain that helps people to plan, control impulses and execute tasks. ADHD is a spectrum, which means that some children can be severely impacted, whilst others can be less impacted.

Children who are less impacted by their ADHD may not qualify for Child Disability Allowance. However, children who are more impacted, or have co-existing conditions such as anxiety disorder, and therefore need constant care and attention, are more likely to qualify.

Example 1

Meg is a 7-year-old child with severe ADHD who also suffers from an anxiety disorder.

Meg's parents have provided a medical certificate that confirms this and states that Meg is likely to need constant care and attention at home and school for at least the next 2 years due to their impulsivity and behavioural issues.

This means that Meg will qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Example 2

Jack is a 15-year-old child with ADHD. Jack's ADHD is well managed, and they are less impacted by the symptoms of their ADHD.

Jack can be left unsupervised at home or school and does not struggle to inform an adult when they are struggling with their symptoms.

This means that Jack does not qualify for Child Disability Allowance because they do not need constant care and attention.

Asthma

Many children with asthma can manage their symptoms independently with regular medication and would not qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

However, for some children, asthma is an ongoing disability which may not be fully controlled by medication and they need constant care and attention. This means the child would generally qualify for Child Disability Allowance in these circumstances.

Autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect an individual in the areas of social interaction, communication, and development. It is a spectrum disorder that affects each person differently. Children with autism may also have an intellectual disability. Autism frequently co-exists with other psychological disorders including anxiety and depression.

To qualify for Child Disability Allowance, MSD must consider whether the severity of the condition means the child needs constant care and attention.

Behavioural and psychiatric conditions

Behavioural and psychiatric conditions are common in childhood and the impact of these can vary and change as a child gets older. For example, the impact of behavioural conditions may reduce as a child gets older, but the impact of psychiatric conditions may worsen.

Examples of behavioural conditions include Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder.

Examples of psychiatric conditions include Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anorexia (and other eating disorders), Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

If a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner consider that the impact of a child's behavioural condition means they need constant care and attention, they may qualify for Child Disability Allowance. A specialist or psychological report (if available) from a health practitioner may support their application.

If a child's behavioural or psychiatric condition improves over time and they no longer need constant care and attention, they would no longer qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a physical disability that can affect:

• body movement
• muscle control
• muscle coordination
• muscle tone
• reflex
• posture
• balance

It is a permanent condition that can improve or worsen over time.

Children with Cerebral Palsy may also have visual, learning, hearing, speech and intellectual impairments, epilepsy or incontinence.

The physical effects of Cerebral Palsy range from very mild to severe.

Children with Cerebral Palsy who have minimal physical disabilities, and no intellectual or other disability would generally not qualify for Child Disability Allowance. However, children who are severely impacted and require constant care and attention would likely qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Coeliac disease

Coeliac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body's immune system attacks the small intestine after consuming gluten. This creates inflammation and prevents the body from absorbing some nutrients.

Children with coeliac disease may suffer from symptoms including but not limited to:

• abdominal pain
• digestive issues
• vomiting
• weight loss
• rashes
• iron deficiency
• stunted growth

The physical effects of coeliac disease range from mild to severe.

Children who are unable to manage their coeliac disease by avoiding foods containing gluten, will need constant care and attention and would likely qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Often as a child gets older, they become more independent and may be able to manage their coeliac disease. If a child no longer needs constant care and attention, they will no longer qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Deafness

Deafness is long term or permanent hearing loss in one or both ears and includes Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder.

Children who have a severe and profound hearing loss or are very impacted by their hearing loss and need constant care and attention would likely qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Many older children with profound hearing loss may have gained more independence from their parents. As these children adapt to their deafness, they may no longer need constant care and attention.

If a child no longer needs constant care and attention, they will no longer qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a condition that can be managed with oral medication or injected insulin, depending on the type and severity.

Although all cases must be assessed on the particular circumstances, many children with insulin dependent diabetes (type 1) would generally qualify for Child Disability Allowance if their diabetes means they need constant care and attention.

Older children or those whose diabetes is managed with oral medication and dietary changes (for example, type 2) may not qualify for Child Disability Allowance if they do not need constant care and attention.

MSD must consider any complications from the disease, other medical disabilities, and a child's level of familiarity with and ability to manage their condition when assessing if they qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Example

Melinda is a 6-year-old child who has recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Melinda is not yet able to manage their diet or insulin requirements on their own.

This means that Melinda needs constant care and attention, and they qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

However, Melinda may no longer qualify for Child Disability Allowance when they become able to manage their diet and insulin requirements on their own.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a condition where someone has difficulty in interpreting written or printed language and may struggle to read properly as a result. Children and adults with dyslexia of all ages can learn effectively but often need a different approach and can benefit from support with their education. Dyslexia can vary in severity from person to person.

Children with dyslexia may not qualify for Child Disability Allowance unless they have another condition or disability (for example, anxiety or a behavioural disorder), as they would not need constant care and attention.

Example

Tane is a 10-year-old child with dyslexia. Tane does not have another condition or disability.

This means that Tane does not qualify for Child Disability Allowance because they do not need constant care and attention.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that cause seizures. Children who have epilepsy can often be assisted by anticonvulsant medication.

If a child has an ongoing risk of seizures and needs constant care and attention, they are likely to qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

The severity of epilepsy can vary, and the age of a child may be a factor that a registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner may consider.

If the severity of a child's epilepsy means they need constant care and attention, they would likely qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Intellectual disability

There are different types of intellectual disabilities, which can be classified as mild, moderate, severe, or profound. In all cases an intellectual disability is lifelong. A child with an intellectual disability could have difficulty with memory, speech, understanding, concentrating, and learning.

Intellectual disabilities may be linked to a genetic or chromosomal abnormality, such as Down Syndrome, or an injury.

Children with intellectual disability may have developmental delays and intellectual functioning that ranges from just below to significantly below average. They may also have limitations with behaviour, self-care, day to day tasks, and social skills.

To qualify for Child Disability Allowance, MSD must consider that the severity of the child's condition means the child needs constant care and attention. The child would also qualify if they attended a specialist school, or a special day-care centre.

Leukaemia

Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow. During treatment, children with leukaemia will need constant care and attention.

After treatment, children affected by leukaemia can be cured or go into remission. They may need periodic screening over the course of several years.

Children in remission from leukaemia would generally not qualify for Child Disability Allowance unless they still require constant care and attention.

Loss of sight

Loss of sight can occur as a result of a variety of diseases and may develop gradually or suddenly. Loss of sight can affect one or both eyes partially or completely. The condition may be temporary or long term.

When a child's loss of sight cannot be corrected by glasses, contact lenses or other methods, it may mean that it is serious enough for them to need constant care and attention.

If the child's loss of sight means that they need constant care and attention, they would likely qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Example 1

Manu is a 12-year-old child who is completely blind and requires constant care and attention.

This means that Manu would qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Example 2

Kyle is a 9-year-old child who has partial loss of sight in one eye. Kyle wears glasses to help correct this and does not need constant care and attention.

This means that Kyle would not qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Meningomyelocele and spina bifida

Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when a baby's spine and spinal cord doesn't form properly. Meningomyelocele is a severe type of spina bifida.

The severity of spina bifida can range from mild to severe and is a permanent condition.

Many children with spina bifida will have a serious disability due to leg weakness or paralysis, increased pressure on their brain, seizures, incontinence and/or intellectual disability. These children are likely to need constant care and attention and would generally qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

However, there are some children with milder spina bifida that may not need constant care and attention. This means they would not qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Muscular dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy refers to a group of conditions that cause progressive weakness and degeneration of skeletal muscles.

The symptoms of muscular dystrophy can develop at different ages and can affect different muscles. The severity worsens over time.

Almost all children with muscular dystrophy need constant care and attention and would qualify for Child Disability Allowance.

Other long-term severe illness

To qualify for Child Disability Allowance, MSD should consider each case on its own circumstances and review eligibility at regular intervals. A registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner should clearly indicate if the child needs constant care and attention on the medical certificate.