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3.6.12.290 DCLAD (Child) professional questionnaire scoring step 7 - age amended THP score

Summary

Step 7 of the DCLA professional questionnaire is to adjust the scores for older children with disability to ensure consistency in the measurement of disability for children of different ages.

Explanation: Stages of development last longer as the child grows older. Beyond a certain age there are no further developmental milestones and it is not possible to take account of advanced functioning.

Age related amendment

An age related amendment is made to the scores obtained at step 7 for children aged 12 and over.

Explanation: The age-related amendment ensures that the scores for children aged 12 and over reflect a similar level of severity of disability as for younger children.

This is explained in the following table.

If the child is aged … then the interim professional questionnaire total score is reduced by …
12 to 14 years 1 point.
15 to 16 years 1.5 points.

The result of the age related amendment is referred to as the age amended THP score.

If the score equals zero or less (< 0 or = 0), then go to step 8 of the professional questionnaire.

If the age amended THP score is more than zero (>0), it is a qualifying professional questionnaire score and contributes to a qualifying rating.

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