Military Families + Autism: A Recipe for Heartache

As the mother of a child with autism, I know first-hand the importance that routine and consistency play in helping my son learn to navigate the world. Take away routine and consistency and what do you have? Life in the military.

Military parents of kids with autism -- a figure which may be as high as 12,000 kids -- came on my radar through a project my husband is working on at Autism Speaks.

Today, these families will have a chance to tell their stories to Congress at a briefing on Capitol Hill. They will hear from military spouses, such as Karen Driscoll, whose husband is a Marine Corps officer and veteran of two combat deployments: "In addition to repeated combat deployments and long separations, add autism to that mix and you can see why all of us families are living in crisis."

The briefing will focus on the Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act. The bill would assure that ALL military families would qualify for autism behavioral therapy benefits under the military's insurance. Right now, only service members on active duty qualify for this therapy. That means if a service member is wounded in action and unable to stay active, his or her child loses these benefits. Same for kids of retirees.

In addition to the stories I've heard as a mom connected to this special world, I've interviewed hundreds of families in stories I've written for Time and the New York Times website. But to me, the challenges these brave families face surpass all -- such as these painfully sad words from one Navy spouse: "During my husband's last three years on active duty, all three of our children were diagnosed with special needs, two with autism. Our frequent moves to small towns and doctors with little experience hindered the ability for my children to receive proper diagnoses. We were heartbroken to know that as retirees, our two children with autism would not qualify for any autism-related benefits. The military member may retire, but the autism does not."

I will be on Capitol Hill today, lending my support to these amazing and brave families.

 

Comments

[Thillseeker]

11:27 AM on 02/07/2012

Thank you for bringing up this important issue...I recently retired...2 years ago and my son being very mildly affected did not recieve many services while I was active duty, so I attempted to get some of these services for him recently and found that while Tricare is a good HMO...we did not qualify because I have retired.

[Thrillcat]

11:08 PM on 01/31/2012

Thanks for being there & for writing this post. My Navy husband has been gone for 13 years and it's hard having a son with autism. We could have either moved every 3-4 years or stay in once place with excellent services.... what do you think we did? I had to chose for my son to get therapies & treatments for his autism or to have a father. Couldn't have both.

[Amy Lennard Goehner]

11:28 AM on 02/08/2012

Thank you for writing and sharing. I wish you and your son all the very best. This is truly a heart-breaking comment.

Amy

[Hulubu]

05:29 PM on 01/31/2012

This is a heartbreaking situation that was completely unknown to me. Please keep us informed!

[Amy Lennard Goehner]

11:29 AM on 02/08/2012

Thank you for writing. It was completely unknown to me as well but as soon as I learned about it I knew I wanted to do anything I could to spread the word.

All the best,
Amy

[Jessy0605]

03:10 PM on 01/31/2012

I feel for all the military families who are constantly on the move. My husband served 20 years in the Navy, our 4 year old is non verbal and severely autistic. Tricare does not care. We do not qualify for the ECHO programm. No therapy for her gets covered and that after 20 years of service from my husband. And we are not alone. Sad and unjust is all I can say to this. We are painfully aware that autism will not retire. My tip: get as much therapy as you can as long as you are in the military because once you retire America forgets you, your service and your children...
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Help-Jessy-Fight-Autism/190992860937170

[Amy Lennard Goehner]

11:31 AM on 02/08/2012

I only hope that the bill that congress has in front of them will pass, ensuring that all service members, retired and wounded, will be able to get therapy for their children with autism. You and so many families like yours so deserve this!

Albest,
Amy

[livsparents]

12:28 PM on 01/31/2012

Give em hell on the hill...They fight for us, the least we can do is fight for their kids...

[Amy Lennard Goehner]

11:32 AM on 02/08/2012

They do indeed fight for us. Let's only hope the bill in front of Congress passes, which would give these families the help they so desperately need and deserve.

Albest,
Amy

[Nancy Summers Lankford]

10:55 AM on 01/31/2012

Please research Crystal, Indigo and star children. Please your children are blessings and I pray that you get the support you need in your fight for help to provide for your blessings.