How much care do kids with autism on army bases receive?

Question

My daughter and her family will be living on base sometime in 2008 (don't know which one yet), and they have a 5 year old boy with autism. How much care does the army provide for a special needs child? I know it will vary bases to base, but what is the overall concern and resources allowed and used in this situation? Any one been there?

Answer 1

Our son, who is 11, has autism. We are an AF family and I would be happy to give both you and your daughter some advice on how to prepare the child for the move, as well as what she may expect from the military.  There is a lot to cover, but basically the first thing they need to do (if they haven't already) is enroll in the EFMP program.  The program, which enrolls family members with special educational or health needs, is there to be sure your daughter and grandson can not be sent to an area that does not support the child's special needs.  Yes, this will limit their ability to go some places (especially overseas where special ed services are very limited) but  it can vary by the level of the disability and by the military member's career field.  However, it is better to know there are places they can't go than to forgo enrolling and get sent somewhere without services.

Once they get to the new base, most services will be provided through the school system.  Additioanl services, such as additional speech or occupational therapy would have to be cleared through Tricare first..that can be hit or miss.  Many states have special services for children on the spectrum, and your grandson should be eligable, but there is usually a signifigant amount of paperwork and a waiting list, so getting information ahead of time is always the best way to go.  I always suggest contacting the family support center on the new base to see if there are any on base support groups or orginizations for families with special needs children, as well as contacting the local chapters of any of the national support groups to find out information about schools, things like autism friendly, etc.

I will be honest..the military of itself does not go much further than the EFMP program to accomodate families with disabled children.  The insurance coverage is better than many, but as always there are hoops to go through and red ink to chop through.  The more they can do prior to leaving the better.  Also, if they are planning to live on post, they should get letters from the child's pediatrician and the military member's current command stating they need immediate placement in housing to make the move easier and to get the child access to services through the schools as quickly as possible.  Many posts have a very long waiting list for on base housing.  Moving repeatedly is hard on children with autism and it is important to get them into school so the new system can begin the placement process as soon as possible.

I know all this sounds overwhelming...and in some ways it is.  But many military families have had successful moves and live happily.  It takes time, effort and a willingness to go after what you want, but it can be done.  Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or need any other ideas.

Answer 2

i was in the marines and my ex wife was in the army on both acounts we had friends with children with autism and they do not have the resources to care for children with autism they just do not have the man power there were like 13 kids with autism in one class with on teacher they are suppose to have 1on1 attention until at least 12 years of age. our friends had to pay money out of the pocket for them to get the proper attention and learning that they needed. the worst thing is that they taught the kids to stack things and let them climb on ledges and other things

Answer 3

Why would military family's force their autistic children to live at a army base.

Autism + military family's= h**l!!!

People with autism cannot cope in these situations.