Suz, I can't answer your question about the military, but come visit us over in the Special Needs section of the board when you get the chance. My son is an Aspie and we have a few other moms of autistics there. We'd love to have you come and tell us about your family.
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I know that the army has an exceptional family member program. In our experience, they have been very understanding with any medical stuff that comes up. I am not sure about being autistic, but i know that they were great when i was having problems with my epilepsy. One of our dear friends child is bi-polar and they were great with that too.
Suz, I don't know a lot about Autism, but does your little one understand DVD type things. I was asking because I have a DVD about Elmo and his daddy being in the military. Do you think it would help any?
ray: My husband is in the navy. My daughter was diagnosed with autism at 18mos. Her military pediatrician is the one who saw the signs and referred her for evaluation. Once she was diagnosed (throught the state dept of health) she was eligible for early intervention services which the military contracts out in the state we live in now (Hawaii) For our area it is Easter Seals. They were awesome!! Once she turned 3 she was eligible for public preschool which is a special ed program. We actually havent had to deal with the navy much. The only thing I had to do once she was diagnosed was enroll her in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EMFP). That is a so the military can keep track of the special needs dependents. Its also very important they know so you don't get transferred somewhere that doesnt offer the services your child needs. For example, we wont get transferred most anywhere overseas. (non US). I know that Tricare (military health insurance) also has a program called ECHO, (extended care health option). I'm not sure exactly what they do but you have to be enrolled in EFMP to get it. Another thing I'd like to point out....my daughter has had and is having almost every type of therapy they offer. She's gotten it since she was diagnosed at 18mos., (she's 3 now). And I havent had to pay a dime. I'm not sure if its this way in all states or if its because it's military but it has made all the differnce in the world for her. Good Luck!
Oh my. I just reread my post before sending it. I hope it isnt confusing. Once we completed each step we were told what to do for the next step. It really was very easy.
The diagnosis sucks but the procedure for getting help has been very smooth.
Special Needs and the Military
ray: My husband is in the navy. My daughter was diagnosed with autism at 18mos. Her military pediatrician is the one who saw the signs and referred her for evaluation. Once she was diagnosed (throught the state dept of health) she was eligible for early intervention services which the military contracts out in the state we live in now (Hawaii) For our area it is Easter Seals. They were awesome!! Once she turned 3 she was eligible for public preschool which is a special ed program. We actually havent had to deal with the navy much. The only thing I had to do once she was diagnosed was enroll her in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EMFP). That is a so the military can keep track of the special needs dependents. Its also very important they know so you don't get transferred somewhere that doesnt offer the services your child needs. For example, we wont get transferred most anywhere overseas. (non US). I know that Tricare (military health insurance) also has a program called ECHO, (extended care health option). I'm not sure exactly what they do but you have to be enrolled in EFMP to get it. Another thing I'd like to point out....my daughter has had and is having almost every type of therapy they offer. She's gotten it since she was diagnosed at 18mos., (she's 3 now). And I havent had to pay a dime. I'm not sure if its this way in all states or if its because it's military but it has made all the differnce in the world for her. Good Luck!
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