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Home > Topics > Military & DOD Special Education > Autism Support |
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Health & Special Education Services for Military Children with Autism
The Department of Defense has been a leader in providing coverage for health and special education services for children with autism. Military life, coping with disruption of routine or environment, is particularly difficult for children with autism and their families. Based on the most recent prevalence data that 1 in 150 children have an autism spectrum disorder, as many as 12,000 children in military families (active duty, reserve and guard) may have autism. These families are affected substantially by the financial and emotional costs of raising a child with autism. On September 5, 2008, "Military Family Autism Equality Act," HR 3690 bipartisan legislation was introduced by Virginia Congressman James P. Moran (D-8) and Florida Congressman Jeff Miller (R). Retired military families who have children with autism will have their health care benefits protected if is enacted into law. This legislation will provide retired military families with children with autism the same health care benefits as families of active duty service members with children with autism. Department of Defense statistics indicate there are an estimated 8,784 retiree families that will benefit from this legislation. "Caring for autistic children is expensive. Military families, already stretched thin by the high costs associated with the disease and long deployments overseas, are often left with a choice no parent wants to face: provide expensive treatments for their child or keep their family clothed and fed. This legislation will eliminate that painful decision," Moran said. "This bipartisan bill to extend needed medical coverage for children of military retirees with autism is long overdue and I'm pleased Congressman Moran and I were able to address this issue together. Autism is an insidious disease inflicted upon our children and we should live up to our obligation to serve the children of those who have served this nation," Miller said. Military Retirement Shouldn't End Autism Coverage - Letter of Support for this legislation from Congressman Miller and Congressman Moran. A Lifeline for Military Families by Chuck Hagee in the Mount Vernon Gazette. The amendment addresses the difficulty faced by thousands of armed forces personnel and their families who are unable to obtain appropriate care for autistic children through the military’s Extended Care Health Option (ECHO). With passage of this legislation, autistic children of servicemen and women will receive a minimum of $5,000 per month of autistic services, which is double the current limit of $2,500 per month. Approximately 8,500 children from these families have autism, which is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the U.S; however, a recent estimate by the Congressional Budget Office shows only 700 autistic children are enrolled in ECHO because of long waits and limited coverage. ECHO’s limit on autistic care allows only five hours of therapy per week, while studies by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Research Council show that these youth need from 25-40 hours per week. This amendment also requires a study by the Secretary of Defense that examines ways to improve autistic services. You can track the progress of the bill as it continues to move through the Congress at the following websites: THOMAS (Library of Congress) On March 15, 2008, the Enhanced Access to Autism Services Demonstration, went into effect. This project allows reimbursement for educational intervention services, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), delivered by paraprofessional providers. 2007 The Department of Defense Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2008, which included H.R. 3222, provided $6.4 million for autism research. In 2007, Congress provided $7.5 million for autism related research activities at the Department of Defense. Related Resources Autism and it's Impact on the Military Family DoD Report and Plan on Services to Military Dependent Children with Autism (July 2007) Specialized Care Organizational Record (SCOR) Autism Services Demonstration (PPT) (March 2008) Making Autism a National Priority FY08 Autism Appropriations Department of Defense Project Will Help Care for Military Dependents with Autism Wrightslaw: Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder Wrightslaw: Military & Dept of Defense Special Education
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