Armed Forces Day recognizes service

Today is Armed Forces Day, a national day to recognize the honor and sacrifice by all members of America’s military.

Whether you have served one day in the military or you personify a lifetime of service, today is for you. America is grateful for your service.

For our military members who have a family member with autism, you serve above and beyond, and deserve an extra salute.

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Tour of AMFAS Part 9: The Community

If there is one word that encompasses what American Military Families Autism Support is about, it’s community.

Our community is diverse, savvy and typically without a lot of time on their hands. We understand that because we too are military families and parents of children with autism.

Your friends at AMFAS have long established the focus of our efforts for the website as a commitment to you and making a place that you can call home. This is your home for military families dealing with autism. Your community. It can’t be re-enforced strongly enough.

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AMFAS listed as top 5 twitter feed

AMFAS has been listed as No. 5 on a list of 50 great Twitter feeds for Autism Support.

To see the full list visit

http://www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/blog/50-great-twitter-feeds-for-autism-support/

Happy Mother Warrior’s Day

Mother’s Day is a special opportunity to recognize the importance of moms in our society.

But today is about more than just celebrating motherhood for our Autism community.

Simply put to all our mothers out there, today is a day to honor your commitment and sacrifice.

You are a mother. You are a warrior for your children.

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Being a military spouse on the Autism spectrum

In 1998, I was commissioned as an officer in the U.S Air Force.  I served as a communications officer with the 27th Fighter Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., then at the 5th Bomb Wing in Minot Air Force Base, N.D. At the time, I was a newly-married woman to another Air Force officer.

I’ve had symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome for as long as I could remember, but there just wasn’t a name for “what was wrong/right with me.”

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Disability Advocate Earns Military Spouse of the Year Award

Deanie Dempsey, wife of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presents Jeremy Hilton, husband of Air Force Lt. Col. Renae Hilton, with a medal recognizing him as the 2012 Military Spouse of the Year during the 2012 Military Spouse of the Year ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, May 10, 2012. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Austin Hazard

By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2012 – A husband who championed the progression of disability policy and the exceptional family member program received the 2012 Military Spouse of the Year Award here today.

Upon receipt of the award, Hilton, who has a daughter with special needs, lauded fellow finalists from the other services, and shared what also inspired his efforts to advocate for military families impacted by illness or disability.

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National Teacher Appreciation Day a chance to honor autism support

Today is National Teacher Appreciation Day. While the day is a general recognition of the great teachers who have changed lives, it also needs to serve as kudos for all the teachers who have made a difference for our family members with autism spectrum disorder.

Think for a moment of all the people in your child’s life who have gone the extra mile for them. What teacher, or teachers, do you appreciate, and why?

Would you consider your ABA therapist a teacher? How about the speech therapist, special education team lead, or other person who works directly with your child? In a special education environment, even an aide can act in the form of a teacher, providing vital feedback and encouragement to the student.

Today is a great chance to reflect on those who have served in a teaching capacity and made a difference.

Video of Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, and his high school teacher Mrs. McCampbell:

Thoughts on Congressional briefing about Autism prevalence rates

I had the opportunity to listen to a presentation about autism in the Rayburn building on Capitol Hill April 25.

The announcement was related to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent prevalence rates for children with autism of 1 in 88.

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey hosted the event in a packed room full of staffers and advocates.  CDC personnel Dr. Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp and Jon Baio, and Dr. Andy Shih from Autism Speaks spoke after the Congressman.

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New TRICARE Dental Program as of May 1

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – As of May 1, 2012, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Inc. (MetLife) is the new TRICARE Dental Program contractor, providing dental benefits for more than 2 million TRICARE beneficiaries worldwide.

“MetLife is a very welcome new partner to the TDP,” TRICARE Deputy Director Brig. Gen. W. Bryan Gamble said. “The company shares in our commitment to provide top quality health care to our service members and their families.”

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Tour of AMFAS Part 8: Information

In military lingo, the term Tactics, Techniques and Procedures is an oft-used way to explain how to get the mission accomplished.

Since, one of the core missions of American Military Families Autism Support is providing comprehensive information on the spectrum of autism care for military families, TTPs are part of the community.

The Information section is a living knowledge repository for TTPs, offering standard and supplementary information on what services and support are available to all military families dealing with autism, how to obtain the services and  appropriate references to other pertinent information.

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