Good to hear the National Autistic Society has advice for DLA. I know even though I'd had FMS since October 2001, I would only be paid by the date stamped on the form some three years later. I think you've got to have your condition three months prior to claiming, which is why kids - although disabled from birth - can't claim Care until they are three months old.

Remember to photocopy your paperwork and forms. As my renewal comes around every 18 months - 3 years, I typed mine up. So I just modify things slightly, print, sign and attach. Though it does get a bit boring writing 'see attached', it's better than writing out the whole thing.