NATIONAL DISABILITY CARD: A Lifeline for Families with Autistic Children

Jan 7
5 min read

Updated: Feb 10

The National Disability Card offers a way for disabled individuals and parent carers to communicate their need for help and support.

It also provides fantastic discounts for disabled individuals, including children with autism.

The Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyard for Autistic Children

Flying with Autistic Children

Top Tips for Travelling with Autistic Children

Packing to go away with Autistic Children

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL DISABILITY CARD?

Launched in 2019 by a family with first-hand experience of caring for a child with cystic fibrosis, this card is a game-changer.

This card is accepted as proof of disability at various locations throughout the UK and even sometimes abroad. It’s not just about access; it also offers discounts at selected retailers for online shopping and discounted e-gift cards.

I truly appreciate this organisation. Their ethos revolves around inclusivity, with 50% of their workers identifying as disabled. Their mission aligns closely with ours at Travelling with Sunflowers: to ensure that disabled people can fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

The most significant advantage for our family has been the ability to access free adult carer tickets at attractions. We no longer need to carry around personal information like DLA letters. Below, I’ll share where we used the card and how much we saved in just six months.

BENEFITS OF THE NATIONAL DISABILITY CARD FOR AUTISTIC FAMILIES

Skip the Queue & Fast Track Entry for Autistic Children

We’ve shown the National Disability Card at various venues, allowing us to access fast track entry queues or skip the lines entirely. Having the card handy also supports our son’s use of the hidden disability sunflower lanyard.

This sunflower lanyard is another essential tool for autistic families. It helps us gain support for our children when accessing services and leisure spaces. If you haven’t heard of the sunflower lanyard, read our article to find out why you should definitely get a free sunflower lanyard for your family this year.

Access to Free Carer Tickets that will Save You Money!

At many organisations, the National Disability Card serves as proof of eligibility for concessions and discounts. We’ve experienced this firsthand.

In the first six months of having the National Disability Card, we showed it at the ticket office at several attractions and received either discounted entry for our child or free carer entry for an accompanying adult. Here’s a breakdown of our savings:

In England:

The American Museum in Bath - £17 saved
The Chedworth Roman Villa - £15 saved
Bath Abbey - £9 saved
Bekonscot Model Village - £11 saved
London Wetlands Centre - £17.95 saved

In Italy, we enjoyed free family entry for all at:

Scaligero Castle - Sirmione, Lake Garda - €18 saved
Campanone Tower - Bergamo - €12 saved

In total, that’s around £95 in savings from attractions in just six months! We’re thrilled with that! Additionally, we can use the National Disability Card at our local leisure centre to receive a free adult ticket during family swim sessions, saving us another £7 per visit.

While I haven’t fully utilised the online discounts and e-gift cards yet, I plan to become more organised and take advantage of those soon! By the way, you can also access similar online retailer discounts from the website Discount For Carers. I’ve used it before, so it’s worth checking out.

HOW CAN I GET A NATIONAL DISABILITY CARD FOR MY AUTISTIC CHILD?

I applied for the National Disability Card through their online application portal. The process was straightforward.

During the application, I needed to provide evidence of my child's disability. They define disability as a substantial impairment that negatively affects your child's ability to perform normal daily activities for over 12 months.

Here’s a list of acceptable evidence:

Back of your child's Blue Badge
Disabled persons' Bus Pass
A letter from your doctor or relevant medical documentation
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) decision letter
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) letter
Any other relevant documentation confirming your child’s disability

You can apply for a National Disability Card here

How much does the National Disability Card cost for autistic children?

The National Disability Card costs £20 plus postage and is valid for two years—so that’s just £10 a year! I think that’s fantastic value. We opted to pay an extra £10 for a second card. I tend to misplace things, and this way, my husband can carry one too. It saves us from having to remember to put the card in our wallet or purse every time we head out.

Why should I get the National Disability Card for my autistic/ADHD child?

This is an important question! There are several other 'disability' cards available, such as the Access Card and local borough council cards. It really depends on your reasons for wanting a card.

For my eldest child, the National Disability Card has been an excellent choice. It allows us to demonstrate that he is disabled easily and access carer tickets and concession rates in the UK. Personally, I prefer presenting this card at venues instead of a DLA letter, as the latter contains personal information that isn’t necessary for museum staff to know.

Although autism is classified as a hidden disability, the international sign for disability—a white wheelchair on a blue background—on the front of the card has proven helpful. In places where autism is less understood, it uses a common language. It was also recognised and accepted by organisations when we travelled abroad in Italy.

Whatever you decide, it’s crucial to ensure you’re making full use of the discounts available to disabled children and adults, as well as their carers!

Happy Travels x

Additional Resources for Travelling with Autistic Children

For more information on travelling with or using special assistance for autism and ADHD (for both adults and kids), visit our dedicated pages:

Useful links to UK Airports and their Special Assistance pages:

London Gatwick

Sunflower lanyards - hidden disabilities and general accessibility
AccessAble Guides - page to the Airport
South Terminal Toilet and Changing Places Facilities

London Heathrow

General Accessibility Page
Sunflower Lanyard Scheme
Sensory pack: Heathrow offers free sensory objects packs in all terminals. The pack includes a fidget toy and key ring with mobility and feelings cards to help communicate with staff. *The pack is free and can be requested at the following locations.