Washington, D.C. – Senator Jim Webb, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel, moderated a hearing June 21st to examine the Department of Defense (DoD) TRICARE classification that Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an educational intervention, not medically necessary treatment of autism, a complex neurological disorder. Because of this distinction, autism is the only medical [...]
Tag Archive: hr 2288
Jul
06
Senate Hearing on Medical Necessity of ABA
May
01
The Hangover 2012
The last guests have gone. Empty bottles litter the house and the yard is a wonderland of crisp white toilet paper dancing in the wind. My head is pounding and my stomach has left the building – more than once. The cat is missing and I have no idea how many days have passed since [...]
Apr
26
Wounded Warriors Denied Autism Treatments for Their Children
To help win this battle,
sign the petition at Change.org.
Apr
14
Not a Square to Spare? Think Again
It’s been a little over two years since RM was diagnosed with autism during SGM’s last deployment to Afghanistan. Still, we struggle to understand what that means to us as a family, how we process that reality on a daily basis and how to move forward in hopes of a bright future for all four [...]
Apr
05
Military Families Find HOPE Aboard USS Intrepid
New York – On Saturday, March 31, Autism Speaks honored military families living with autism aboard the USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. My head is still spinning and I am still processing the HOPE I stumbled upon that day. I have so much to tell you and I want to share this HOPE [...]
Mar
26
April is Autism Awareness Month AND Month of the Military Child
I’m over at the Autism Speaks Official Blog today talking about the complex issues facing access to autism care for military families and why HR2288 – Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act is so critical. April is coming and there are so many ways to get involved in spreading awareness whether blue lights on [...]
Mar
08
Surprise! We’re Polygamists!
Last year on this day, I wished my husband a Happy 8th Anniversary. Today I seek to do the same, only I’ve decided to unleash our skeletons from the closet and announce to all of you that we are Polygamists. Yes. You read that correctly. No. It is not another woman. Or another man. Nine [...]
Mar
03
EPIC FAIL: Soldier in Afghanistan = Deadbeat Dad?
Deadbeat Dad? Or Deadbeat Country? 
Feb
17
You’re a FIVE-Star in My Book
One-click YOUR kick-ass advocacy skills at CMKAA.org. Tell your US Rep to sign on to HR2288 Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act. Hooah.
Feb
07
Late Bloomer
“I want to tell you that Rachel is incredibly special in so many ways, and yet I want you to know that she’s not special at all. I want you to know that there is nothing in her that is not in each and every single one of us, and that once it’s awakened, it [...]
Feb
04
Military Families with Autism Finally Make it to ‘The Show’
Click –> HERE <– to see the coverage of HR2288 on Andrea Mitchell Reports on MSNBC TRICARE does not cover autism therapies. A separate arm of services called the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) which is secondary to enrollment in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) does offer what amounts to an average of 11 hours [...]
Feb
04
Military Families with Autism Finally Make it to ‘The Show’
[Click above image to see coverage of HR2288 on Andrea Mitchell Reports MSNBC] TRICARE does not cover autism therapies. A separate arm of services called the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) which is secondary to enrollment in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) does offer what amounts to an average of 11 hours of ABA therapy per week – [...]
Feb
02
The Briefing
I tried very hard to remain calm the days before the briefing. My speech had been finished for weeks. I felt confident that I had done all I could to promote the briefing and fill the room. But I was still overwhelmed on the inside. The stress was enormous, the pressure to do right by [...]
Feb
02
The Briefing
I tried very hard to remain calm the days before the briefing. My speech had been finished for weeks. I felt confident that I had done all I could to promote the briefing and fill the room. But I was still overwhelmed on the inside. The stress was enormous, the pressure to do right by [...]
Jan
31
What I Signed Up For
Of all titles I hold, Mother is the one that has brought me here today to speak to you. I am an Army wife as well, but that is a role I chose shortly after 9/11 with full knowledge of what I was getting myself into. War was imminent, terror threat levels were the new [...]
Jan
29
Backstage
Load-in. For most evening events it happens around 1pm. The trucks begin to arrive and the once cavernous arena comes to life with loud thuds and shouts echoing across the stage. “Sound check! T-minus four hours! Move your ass!“ If it was a Saturday show I was psyched. It meant I could work load-in and watch [...]
Jan
29
Backstage
Load-in. For most evening events it happens around 1pm. The trucks begin to arrive and the once cavernous arena comes to life with loud thuds and shouts echoing across the stage. “Sound check! T-minus four hours! Move your ass!“ If it was a Saturday show I was psyched. It meant I could work load-in and watch [...]
Jan
26
Troops in Contact: a guest post by SGM
The satellite radio crackles to life; “Iron Gray TOC, this is Butcher 6 receiving indirect fire at this time”. The radio operator answers the call; “This is Iron Gray TOC. Roger, requesting air support at this time.” Troops in Contact (yes that means what you think it does) were a daily occurrence as an Infantry [...]
Jan
13
#fitn
Twitter much? No? Don’t blame you. I was a non-believer until this past summer. It terrified me, and to a degree still seems so very strange. Twitter is the most difficult thing to describe to a non-Tweeter. You have these hashtag (#) thingys to follow tweets categorically. You ‘Follow’ other people and hope somebody ’Follows’ you back. [...]
Jan
10
What the Battle Sometimes Looks Like
The following letter was written on the battlefield in Afghanistan, July, 2010, after the district special ed director reduced the hours of paraprofessional support for RM at her YMCA summer camp without prior notification, or grounds to do so. Just another perspective of what our military families must do to advocate for our kids with [...]
Dec
27
Xoom Giveaway for CMKAA
HOOAH! Motorola Mobility in partnership with Autism Speaks has committed to providing tech tools to families with children on the Autism Spectrum. “The long-term goal of the program is to measure and analyze how Motorola XOOM has assisted in the developmental progress of the children, and work with researchers and application developers to make even [...]
Dec
21
All I Want for Christmas
[Ed note: This was orchestrated with a simple, slow laptop. I do not own a professional recording studio. Cheers!] I don’t want a lot for Christmas, There is just one thing I need, I don’t care about the presents, Underneath the Christmas Tree, I don’t need to hang my stocking, There upon the fireplace, Santa [...]
Dec
12
OMG. If TRICARE Was Working, I’d Shut Up Already.
I shall be brief. Yes. 1 in 88. No kidding. Seriously. We need to fix the system of military families getting autism treatment for their kids. Period. There is no valid arguement about CMKAA and comparing military versus civilian healthcare. The two are separate issues and I can only fix one freaking thing at a [...]
Dec
11
Why 1 in 88?
Since I began advocating for military kids with autism, the question I am asked most frequently is: Why are the rates of autism higher for military kids? Is it chemical exposure? Vaccines? WTF? The rates are not necessarily higher, my friends. It’s complicated. But I will start with the statistic itself and how it came [...]
Dec
10
“I’m Just a Bill” by CMKAA
For anyone looking for a refresher on how the Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act – H.R. 2288 (CMKAA) is going to need your help to get passed, I’m handing over today’s post to Schoolhouse Rock. Don’t let CMKAA die in committee. I don’t have the cash or enough booze for the funeral. [...]
AMFAS Update
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 4 of 4 May 24, 2013
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 3 of 4 May 23, 2013
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 2 of 4 May 22, 2013
- Finding Answers in Chicago at AutismOne May 21, 2013
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 1 of 4 May 21, 2013
CMKAA
- TRICARE Stalls on Implementing Treatments February 25, 2013
- FY2013 NDAA Includes One-Year Pilot Program January 2, 2013
- TIME Magazine Highlights Last Minute Kill of CMKAA December 21, 2012
Confessions from Household Six
- Please Stop the Ride May 12, 2013
- Autism Awareness Today and EVERY Day April 23, 2013
- Go Ahead, Laugh AT Me April 12, 2013
Captain Dad – Family Life with Autism, twins, and the Military
- Going on a Mission - and Skittles! April 6, 2013
- March Madness March 16, 2013
- Reading Tea Leaves March 2, 2013
Lily and the Roses
- Autism Mom – Finding A Balance May 22, 2013
- A Cure for Autism? Thoughts and Reflections May 8, 2013
- 87 Blue Balloons and 1 White April 6, 2013
Navy Chaplain: A Story
- Eloping and Autism: How to get a free safety kit for your ASD kid (or share with a family you love) May 22, 2013
- What is the difference? April 14, 2013
- THE BIGGEST SECRET EVER!! March 18, 2013
Who’s Teaching Who?
- Transitions: From Sampling to Eating March 21, 2013
- Today’s Lesson: Appreciation February 2, 2013
- First Impressions October 17, 2012
Oh What A Life!
- Lit it up Blue! May 2, 2013
- Selfish Moments March 15, 2013
- Just keep your head up March 12, 2013
Conner’s Search For A Voice
- The dreaded word. Deployment. March 21, 2013
- All our friends are different. February 18, 2013
- Sick in disguise. January 22, 2013
Red Green Lellow
- God make me a Warrior Mama. May 21, 2013
- Claiming my Namesake May 19, 2013
- Recovery for our kids with Autism: Getting out of our comfort zone April 28, 2013
The Holland’s Home
- We are low on funding so… February 12, 2013
- Book Review: Tent of David by Boaz Michael January 16, 2013
- Hey There Delilah January 2, 2013
Raising Soldiers 4 Christ
- Focusing on the Gospel this Resurrection March 28, 2013
- Tae Kwon Do and Special Needs March 17, 2013
- Tae Kwon Do….is it Biblical February 25, 2013
Pathways in Autism
- Please Sign Petition For Sensitivity Training At Whole Foods January 14, 2013
- Expect Spin With Autism Mandates October 23, 2012
- Watch Your Little Eloper! October 15, 2012
Pieces
- Truth From the Fox February 26, 2013
- Again I Rise February 21, 2013
- Working Together February 6, 2013
Oh What a Life!
- Lit it up Blue! May 2, 2013
- Selfish Moments March 15, 2013
- Just keep your head up March 12, 2013
Autism Recovered
- Kate's recovery story April 16, 2012
- Fairies get a new swing outside February 29, 2012
- Craftiness February 25, 2012
Four Cannons
- BFF’s May 22, 2012
- An Emotional Glimpse Into My Heart… May 17, 2012
- Soooo Ready For Spring! February 20, 2012
P.R.E.K.P.A.
- OUTINGS with 3 small children, Autism and only 1 parent August 7, 2011
- NEW DIET FOR KAITLYN!!! August 7, 2011
- ALL GROWN UP!!! August 2, 2011
Michelle’s maniacal musings on mommyhood
- Kindergarten graduation May 12, 2013
- The battle with strep continues May 12, 2013
- Hello Kitty May 3, 2013
A House of Hagfeldt’s
- You say its your birthday! na na na na na it's my birthday too! yeah! na na na na na March 1, 2013
- What's the deal-eo February 16, 2013
- Christmas 2012 January 16, 2013
ArmyWifeToddlerMom
- Remembering Ramzi Doany 10 years later September 11, 2011
- And she'll have fun fun fun till her Daddy takes her t-bird away June 16, 2011
- And more June 6, 2011
Army Wife and Autism Life
- Crazy Beautiful life February 13, 2013
- What the... January 26, 2012
- A Beautiful Moment November 21, 2011
Pajama Camper
- Family Update October 19, 2011
- Open House August 12, 2011
- Been Awhile August 11, 2011
Parenting a child with Asperger Syndrome
- What a way to spend a day, hike challenge by W December 24, 2012
- My aspie's rude awakening September 26, 2012
- Me, the problem? September 18, 2012
Shot’s Spot
- Send a deployment hug November 8, 2012
- #photoadayaug Day 6 - Writing August 6, 2012
- #photoadayaug Day 4 - Somewhere you sat August 4, 2012
Major Autism
- No one can tell you how to build October 4, 2011
- What causes autism? June 14, 2011
- Is this Autism (Money) Awareness Month? April 3, 2011