Child Disability Payment decision making guide
The Effects of Fear and Anxiety on Moving around Outdoors
Individuals who cannot move around outdoors because of fear and anxiety are entitled to lower rate of the mobility component, if the fear and anxiety is caused by a mental disability.
Katarina is 15 and has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Katarina’s OCD means that she is hyper-aware of coming into contact with germs. This fear worsens outdoors, especially when she is in large crowds of people.
Katarina is able to move around outdoors but cannot do so without guidance and supervision from a family member. This is because they are able to keep her calm when she becomes agitated. This involves helping Katarina avoid crowded places or coaxing her if crowds are unavoidable.
The case manager determines that Katarina is entitled to the lower rate of the mobility component of CDP. This is because the guidance and supervision Katarina requires is because of fear and = anxiety which are symptoms of OCD.