News and Knowledge

Military families face all the emotions and challenges that accompany having a child diagnosed with autism, compounded by the realities of service: war, extended family separation, frequent moves, varying access to specialized healthcare, and other stressors that complicate and often work against effective treatment for children with autism.

In response to these challenges, OAR created A Guide for Military Families in 2010. This guide is specifically tailored to provide military families with the tools and access to information that they need.

Now the guide has been fully updated to reflect recent changes in the military healthcare system and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Expert volunteers, as well as specialists from Humana Military and the Defense Health Agency worked with OAR to update the guide.

The guide will be released at the end of November in honor of Military Family Appreciation Month. It will be available free of charge both online and in hard copy. The guide and its companion website, Operation Autism, include information about:

• An understanding of autism and related intervention and treatment
• Strategies for addressing the challenges of autism from the time of diagnosis through adulthood
• An overview of the Department of Defense and service policies related to having a child with autism
• Information on autism treatment options and coverage within the military healthcare system
• Practical information and tools to guide a child’s education
• Tips and advice relative to transitions such as permanent change of station moves, new schools, and more
• Links to additional resources related to autism and military families

For bulk orders, questions, or comments, please contact OAR at programs@researchautism.org.