HELP!! Where can i get a grant for a new garden fence for my Autistic child????

Question

I have an autistic child who is unable to go out to play(as he is an easy target for the local bullies)and now he can't play in his back garden as the fence is broken. The council say it is not their responsility as it is a dividing fence and not a perimeter one. My son has cut himself and got numerous splinters on many occasions and now my neighbour is unhappy as my child keep making attempts to climb the broken fence. Please help me if you can summer is just around the corner and he would love a safe area to play in. Thanks x

just to follow on after some comments my son was ALWAYS supervised when he was allowed out to play thats how I know that he was being bullied!! I'm not an overprotective parent who wishes to shelter her child from the outside world, it's just the way he perceives the outside world is different to how we do.He already has low self esteem i just wanted my child to be able to play outside in the fresh air in peace. Yes fencing panels may be cheap but transporting them home and erecting them isn't. I'm a full time carer for my autistic child and he also has ADHD. i am also a carer for my physically disabled mum so money is tight and time is precious as you can imagine!! I can really do without criticism my job is highly demanding and i do it because i care for my family. Please don't critisize what you can't understand. BE HAPPY :-) x

Autism is not just a state of mind it is as disabling as a physical disabilty,it goes unnoticed because you can't physically see it. But to people who DO understand Autism will know they cannot just change their state of mind. If you would like to know more about autism please contact the National Autistic Society for more information it may just open your eyes!!!!

BUT to all those those people who have sent me informative and thoughtful answers i really appreciate it THANK YOU :-)

Answer 1

Try Social services, they may suggest something. Good Luck xx

Answer 2

What planet is James S from, he obviously doesn't know anything about autism or its effects on a family. Really a tea party with the local kids will solve all your problems. Get real!

Its ignorant comments from people like him that make people with disabilities life hard. Just for James S's information most people with children with disabilities, find it hard to work (due to the constant supervision of their childen), many find having a disabled child breaks up their marriage, and their children are very costly to keep. Get down from your ivory tower and get into the real world, you really need to get some education on this matter. By the way James as you have the cure to Autism you should let the world experts know, they obviously don't know. There are all different levels of autism, some people's functioning is nearly normal and other people cannot even talk or be toilet trained, because they are functioning at the same level as a baby.

Good on you Gud-Gal for caring for your family in such difficult circumstances. Perhaps a local Service Club eg Rotary could help you with labour etc if you wrote to them regarding your circumstances. I know they are very helpful in my area to people with disabilities. Good Luck.

Answer 3

i am in exactly the same situation as you, due to recent bad weather all my fences have been badly damaged, my local council have refused to help, i also have a son with ADHD aged 6yr & i fully understand, i cant let my son play out because he has no road sence & is targeted by other children so he is best off in the garden, i am shocked at some of the replies to this post, some people really annoye me, how do people expect you to be able to afford fence panels, posts, cement etc & the cost of labour, & as for the advice about being over protective so people just dont understand a child with this condition constantly places themself in danger, anyway after reading the replies the best advice was to contact family fund, they are a very good charity, they offer help once a year to there members upto £300 this could be for a holiday, driving lessons or anything that will improve you & your childs living, they dont cater for children who have just ADHD they must have another condition also but as you said your child is autistic so they would definetly help you, contact your local citizens advice & ask for your local family funds address, as somone said it takes about 12 weeks to go through this would mean your garden would be done for the summer, GREAT, Anyway good luck.

Answer 4

You may not want to go down this route, but in any dispute with local councils, local press are always interested - even local radio. Councils are not necessarily mean for the sake of it, often they just say 'no' out of habit, I think - but they don't like being thought of as mean (even when they are!). However, I'm not sure what they could do, except recommend a fencing firm, as even in council estates, they are only responsible for boundaries, not intermediate spaces. Social services sometimes have special funds available for emergencies, if you're getting benefits. Making your plight more public might bring forward sources of funding - on the other hand it might just annoy the neighbours further.
Best of luck.

Answer 5

Hi

Are you claiming benefits? If so you may be entitled to a community care grant. Or at worst a budget/crisis loan so although you have to pay the money back you can spread the cost.

It may help to appeal to the council regarding the decision and continue to appeal, councils dont like this.

If you still get no joy, ask at the library/CAB about local charities as they may be willing to fund the cost.

Good luck and I hope this may help you.

Dean

Answer 6

I don't know where you can get help with your fence, but as a paraeducator who works at a residential school for children with autism & other disabilities incl. adhd,mostly teenagers, I applaud you for being able to keep him home with you! It is intensly difficult work, & it's also very rewarding. Good luck with the fence & keep him with you as long as possible. Autismspeaks.com may have some help & support for you.

Answer 7

There are a lot of great pool fences that are high enough and can't be climbed. Google it online and you'll find a lot of suppliers. Also I think hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowes sells them. They come in sections so you can install but better if you hire someone to install them.

Answer 8

If your son is disabled, you may be able to get referrals for help from your state's Protection and Advocacy organization. Use a search engine to find it; every state has one but, not knowing where you live, and I can't provide further information.

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