Letters and Comments

Military Families Battle Autism

By U.S. News Staff

December 29, 2008 RSS Feed Print
  • Comment (6)

Thank you so much, U.S. News , for exposing the lack of care for our children with autism in the military ["Military Parents Battle the System to Help Their Autistic Children,"usnews.com]! Karen Driscoll has been fighting a great battle for all families in the military with autism. Deployments are stressing out the military families, and we don't need the added burden of paying out of pocket for needed services. The divorce rate is 80 percent for families with autism. The divorce rate for military officers has increased because of deployments. We need TRICARE's help during these critical times. Soldiers need to focus on the mission at hand, and they can't do this unless they feel their families are taken care of. I disagree with the TRICARE spokesperson: "There isn't a known treatment for autism." This is a false statement and shows TRICARE does not want to do the right thing for military families. This is an uphill battle for the military families, and many thanks to Karen for all her hard work!

Comment by Ashley Brown of KS

No family should "make do"! If we can obtain federal legislative intervention, support, and policy change, not only will this help the military child with autism, but it would send a strong message to all insurance companies across the nation to offer appropriate medical treatment for this vulnerable population. So in essence, what will help the military children with autism will help all children impacted by autism. If one does not like how insurance companies are denying children medical services, I would highly recommend to become involved at a state legislative level to encourage positive change. Everyone ultimately has the choice to act or be a bystander. Karen Driscoll and many others have taken it upon themselves to make a difference.

Comment by Naomi Love of NC

I have a child on the autism spectrum, and we are currently going through the process of all of this (my husband has served in the military for 16 years). I have to say that I strongly believe the reason children in the military are being diagnosed more is because we actually have medical insurance, so we take our kids to the doctors on a regular basis without fear of being financially ruined. I understand the dilemma of moving, but as of right now I have had no problems with getting TRICARE to pay for our daughter's services. TRICARE actually approved occupational therapy for our daughter long before she had an autism spectrum diagnosis. If you were to meet our daughter at a store, you would never know that something is wrong, so the defense that your child has to be really bad to get services is not true. I truly believe that TRICARE is one of the best insurances out there. Yes, they do need some work, but some things are out of their hands. There just are not enough providers for autism therapies to go around.

Comment by Kristen of GA

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I don't agree with the ethical guidelines Tricare has seemed to use by stating things in such a way as to purposely deny coverage. The ultimate reason seems to be very clear among the military community in regards to autism and tricare coverage; its very expensive. However, even though I believe all of Autism treatment and intervention should be automatically insured because Autism is a neurological disorder, a medically proven problem; I have to say they are taking a little bit of an unfair hit overall in comparison to the nations autistic child's insurance coverages and what is available for them.

First of all there is a misconception among military mom's of Autism that ABA therapy, though the best and most leading intervention out there and is the leading cause of "recovery" stories in a world where no hope used to be....isn't the only intervention. Plus ABA titled therapy has to be given by professionals in that field called Applied Behavioral analysis but just like there is generic narcotics and thus a cheaper co-pay for the military dependent; there is generic ABA therapy. For one thing the department of defense schools have mandated a newer Autism Specturm Disorder Curriculum that is BASED on ABA therapy and is very effective and life changing when used in the self contained classrooms in the grade school and prek years. My son is the product of it and that in itself was incredible to watch. As well as these parents are screaming so loud and even though yes in the end its a good cause; are forgetting that our child of a soldier gets top notch routine care, emergency sesrvices, pharmacy with no cost and free cold packs even so you don't have to buy diaper rash cream or couph medicine. Your children get dropped a referral as soon as they need one for anything the doctor deems is necessary and Tricare covers it at no cost to you. You don't pay for your child's lab work, xrays, checkups, vaccinations, hearing exams, school sport physicals, and your psychological and psychiatric services for your child with Autism from assessment through diagnosis and med treatment if necessary are also all covered. My son sees one of the best ASD knowledgeable doctors in Savannah GA and Tricare covers it for both my kids.

Let's go even further and inform the public and the military community that may be unaware but Tricare has formed a network recently called DAN., These are specifically Doctor Autism Network. They are very small right now but its in place and more providers are joining everyday. Do you think the majority of the nations kids with Autism let alone around trhe world are this lucky? OTs and ST's are not only covered gby Tricare but also provided at no charge at schools.

Even more is as an EFMP member your child getsw free respite care servicesk staff assigned for participation in sports and elgible for the 37000 per year addtl coverage for autism called ECHO for reimbursement for ABA!

Abigayle of GA 4:45AM November 15, 2010

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hotel of 7:09PM April 07, 2010

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Pastterrible of 1:14PM December 20, 2009

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