DTC for Autism & Developmental Conditions
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Delays, Learning Disabilities
Children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and developmental conditions frequently qualify for the Disability Tax Credit and Child Disability Benefit. Early application can result in significant retroactive benefits.
What CRA Looks For
- Marked restriction in mental functions necessary for everyday life
- Need for significantly more time to perform daily activities compared to peers
- Requirement for supervision or assistance beyond what is age-appropriate
- Impact on adaptive functioning including communication, social interaction, and self-care
- Condition must be prolonged (lasting at least 12 months)
Examples of Qualifying Situations
Autism spectrum disorder requiring ongoing support for communication and social interaction
Developmental delays significantly impacting learning, self-care, or daily functioning
Down syndrome affecting cognitive and adaptive functioning
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder impacting behavior, learning, and daily activities
Intellectual disability requiring supervision for daily living tasks
Severe learning disabilities that markedly restrict academic and daily functioning
Why Applications Get Denied
- Application does not adequately describe the child's functional limitations compared to peers
- Medical practitioner focuses on academic performance rather than daily living impact
- Insufficient detail about supervision and assistance requirements
- Form does not address all relevant areas of restriction
- Condition described as mild without explaining cumulative daily impact
How We Help
- We guide medical practitioners on describing functional impact in CRA-aligned language
- We work to ensure the T2201 captures all areas of restriction, not just the primary diagnosis
- We coordinate Child Disability Benefit applications alongside the DTC
- We review retroactive eligibility for up to 10 prior tax years of prior benefits, where applicable under CRA rules
- Our team understands the specific language CRA evaluators look for in developmental conditions