[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 – [...]
Tag Archive: Tricare
Feb
04
Military Families with Autism Finally Make it to ‘The Show’
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
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
02
MIB are coming to get me now
Hi. I am pretty confident I am on a few different ‘Watch Lists’ by now. But I’m ok with that. Our military kids are worth it. So humor me before I am dragged away in the middle of the night by Men in Black with night-vision who drive dark Suburbans with tinted windows. Sign the White [...]
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
06
How to Help Military Families Affected by Autism
Today, I read a post on "a diary of a mom" blog. http://adiaryofamom.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/a-rant-a-book-and-a-plea-for-help/ In her post today, she shares a passionate letter from a military wife and mom to a child with Autism. I encourage you to read her entry or the original post at http://stimcity.org/2011/12. Please do what you…
Dec
04
An All-out RANT on Apathy
Hi. My name is Rachel Kenyon. I live in Connecticut and I am a proud army wife… blah blah blah. I am pissed. Why? Jess at Diary of a Mom summed it up pretty well, “The hoofbeats ain’t comin’ my friends, we ARE the cavalry.” Yesterday, I devoted an entire Saturday to working on the [...]
Oct
22
Experiences from a DoD Advisory Panel
by Nicholas Sabula On Sept. 27 military family members representing all services, components and disabilities convened at the Department of Defense Education Activity headquarters in Arlington, Va. The purpose was straight-forward: to discuss issues and offer up solutions to the major overarching issues of the military’s special needs community. It’s been several weeks now since [...]
Aug
11
What Does Tricare ECHO Benefits Provide my Military Dependent?
After your kiddo is enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), you can then enroll her into the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO). This is the supplement that provides for a short list of benefits, including getting the necessary ABA se…
Aug
11
New Website Added to Blogroll – “Caring For Military Kids with Autism Act”
Pathways in Autism is a firm supporter of this legislation. This is legislation that has been introduced to make changes to Tricare to remove limits on coverage amount of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as well as provide coverage for the autistic depe…
Aug
05
Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act needs support to move forward
Military families dealing with autism were given a sign of hope recently, as two members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a bill, H.R. 2288. No this is not the Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Improvement Act; that H.R. 2288 was introduced in 2009. The 2011 version titled, “Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act,” [...]
Jul
25
Still Workin’ for The Man
[Ed note: This was originally posted on March 21, 2011. I think it fitting to share again since the introduction of H.R. 2288 - Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act (CMKAA). This legislation would make autism therapies a part of TRICARE Standard, and therefore available to dependents of retirees.] [Workin' for a Livin' by [...]
Jul
19
The Growing Need For Cohesive Effort in Awareness & Advocacy For Military Families Living With Autism
Sorry I have been off the grid for a while! Deployment in the final days of the War in Iraq have been keeping me increasingly busy and unable to attend to my duties for all of you! I have to tell you that is always a great feeling when you make a new c…
Jul
12
Casualties of War
I am not naive enough to believe that war does not involve ugliness beyond my imagination. But what of the ugliness when it is experienced by the person you love most? Who are the real casualties of war? There are so many. So many faces near and far that haunt the soldiers we love [...]
Jun
28
If You Know Me – You Know Why I Fight
If you know me, you should know that I already fought for – and won – the autism treatments MY child needs. If you know me, you should know that from day one of this journey it has been about the OTHER military families who are STILL FIGHTING. If you know me, you should know [...]
Jun
26
Are Changes To Tricare Benefits For Autism On The Way?
It is such a tough time for the DoD to consider changes to benefits packages for service members right now, but there are legislators right now that are trying anyway. Here is a link to an article of two legislatures who are pushing for autistic benefi…
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