Special thanks to Wade Rankin at Injecting Sense for the original pointer the Oregonian article.
If your autistic child is in an inclusion setting in high school, attending as a "regular" student, you will eventually encounter military recruiters. As part of No Child Left Behind, public schools are obligated to provide student information to the local recruiters. A recent story in the Oregonian (excerpted below) shows the problems that can occur.
To help prevent this kind of problem, you can take the following steps:
- Have appropriate documents of diagnosis, treatment, IEPs, etc. for your child
- If possible, obtain a letter from the school district case manager, pediatrician and others
- Be proactive, and find out who the local recruiters are, for all services
- Be even more proactive, find out the chain of command for your local recruiters, all the way up to the first field grade officer (usually a Lieutenant Colonel, Battalion Commander)
- Send a letter to the local recruiter, with a courtesy copy to the chain of command, stating your child's situation and that you would appreciate having your child excluded from their recruiting activities
- If needed, send the documentation you've gathered to the local recruiters.
Of course, you may want to ask your son or daughter what they would like to do before acting on the latter two options. They may want to, and be able to, serve in the military and it would be wrong to try to stop them (beyond the efforts many parents already make to keep their "typical" kids out of the military). On a related note, registration for Selective Service is still mandatory for all men on their 18th birthday. As far as I know, there are no exceptions.
= = == EXCERPT === ===== ========
"When Jared first started talking about joining the Army, I thought, 'Well, that isn't going to happen,' " said Paul Guinther, Jared's father. "I told my wife not to worry about it. They're not going to take anybody in the service who's autistic."
But they did. Last month, Jared came home with papers showing that he not only had enlisted, but also had signed up for the Army's most dangerous job: cavalry scout. He is scheduled to leave for basic training Aug. 16.
Officials are now investigating whether recruiters at the U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Southeast Portland improperly concealed Jared's disability, which should have made him ineligible for service.
…
Jared didn't speak until he was almost 4 and could not tolerate the feel of grass on his feet.
Doctors diagnosed him with moderate to severe autism, a developmental disorder that strikes when children are toddlers. It causes problems with social interaction, language and intelligence. No one knows its cause or cure.
School and medical records show that Jared, whose recent verbal IQ tested very low, spent years in special education classes. It was only when he was a high school senior that Brenda pushed for Jared to take regular classes because she wanted him to get a normal rather than a modified diploma.
= = == === ===== ========
tagged as: Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Military Recruiting, Selective Service
Army psychiatrists are to blame too. They should have spotted it.
Comment by Richard Swayne — 18 Feb 07 @ 1706
I’ve met quite a few Army recruiters, and let’s just say they aren’t quite the freshest fruit in the basket. Some are.. well.. downright rotten.
They probably left out any mention of his disability just to get another body on the frontlines, and it works (much to the detriment of civilians).
Comment by Sig — 8 Sep 07 @ 0051
typical army….
Comment by Someone — 22 Mar 08 @ 0558
High functioning autism is not disqualifying, but someone with moderate to severe autism, provided that the said person can perform duties in a typical setting (public high school) and they do well enough in school to earn a diploma (or GED in some cases.) can be eligible for service.
I suffer from Asperger’s Syndrome, and have served in the service for almost eight years. Aside from my struggles, which remain personal, my professional life has not been altered because of my disability. If Jared is able to perform his duties without his diagnosed autism affecting his duties (and they’ll find out if they will or not in boot camp.) then he’ll be retained. If he cannot perform his duties because of his condition, he’ll be released, no questions asked.
But yes, not all recruiters are all truthful and will try as much as they can to get whoever into the service. However, that does not mean that despite what a parent thinks about it, they should allow their children, regardless of their status, to think for themselves when making this decision. Allow them to be educated on the subject, but don’t make their decisions for them. They’ll resent you for it for the rest of their life.
Comment by Serviceman — 1 Mar 09 @ 0410
Autism is a Noooooooooo when talking military. The inability to communicate effectively, intelligence (not just book smart), physical weakness, and a short attention span is why someone with autism cannot serve. Asperger syndrome may be a yes and of course this depends on the individual, not the diagnosis as the chief consideration. Some pretty smart people have autism, but they lack some serious other skills necessary for self-care and self-sufficiency which is why many of them cannot live on their own. The military is not designed to accommodate special needs, and are probably unequipped to handle some of the issues a person with autism will be having. In a war situation, you must be able to make clear and rational split-second decisions and autism strips the ability to respond speedily and with intelligence. If the enemy tosses a grenade in their direction and their focus is on retrieving a document on a desk, they can be blown up. Commander says something, they hear him wrong, and they wind up shot.
Comment by Jerel Edmonds — 16 Jun 09 @ 0254
Jerel,
Just so you are aware, physical weakness is not a problem in people with Autism! In fact, it is usually opposite. A lot of people with autism have unnatural strength and endurance and do not recognize pain. My own son could make it through boot camp physically. You are spot on about the split second decision making. That is a huge issue and a concern for their safety and the other around them. Unfortunately, recruiting of young men with Autism is happening. It is not that these young men are lying to recruiters, they honestly my not understand that Autism is a condition that should prevent them from joining the service or that they have it. Recruiters are NOT educated enough to identify the signs of Autism. I don’t believe they recruit them to make a quota or maybe I just don’t want to believe it. They are just not educated or experienced in seeing the signs. But, STRENGTH is NOT an issue.
Comment by Jennifer — 17 Jul 09 @ 0048
I have mild autism (Asperger’s Syndrome), and I feel that it is unacceptable, and inexcusable for the military to recruit anyone with a mental disability, irregardless of the severity of that disability. I am outraged that the Army would do such a thing. I feel that the military or government should make it a court-martial offense for any recruiter who knowingly allows disabled people (this includs autism of any type or severity) to enlist in the military. Furthermore disabled people should be exempt from registering with the Selective Service System, and be exempt from being conscripted into military service, should the draft be reinstated. Many people with autism, like myself do not drive, and are unable to perform tasks that are performed in military service, and have difficulty paying attention. What the Army did to allow an autistic man to be in the armed forces is totally unacceptable, and there should be a criminal investigation if this ever happens again.
Comment by Someone — 20 Sep 09 @ 2055
FYI-General Stonewall Jackson was an Aspie. He was classic Asperger’s Syndrome!! Yes they can join the military. Most are extremely successful.
Comment by Robin Davis — 2 Oct 09 @ 2057
Unfortunately, Autism of any kind is a disqualification from military service. It shouldn’t be. If it’s serious enough that it would prevent the individual from serving effectively, then it’s serious enough that the individual would fail out of boot camp, and certainly lacks the aptitude to be an officer. Autism shouldn’t even be considered a medical issue, as far as the military is concerned. It’s a military aptitude issue, and should be treated as such. Full disclosure: I have very mild Asperger’s Syndrome, and I was kicked out of Naval ROTC even though my Captain, my diagnosing physician, and several active and retired officers supported allowing me to be commissioned, and even serve as an unrestricted line officer. No one recruited me; I sought them out. This policy is blatant discrimination, serving no practical purpose.
Comment by myth buster — 16 Oct 09 @ 0009
If the person replying as “Someone” happens to come across this message I hope they will contact me. My son has high functioning Autism and although he’s only six years old, everyday I am watching him for his “thing”. That thing that may become an obsession that could lead to a career. The military popped into mind when a gentleman attended our local Autism Society Meeting (the first Dad I’ve ever seen at any meeting in two years.) His son, diagnosed Aspbergers was obsessed with military history. He was determined to get in the Navy Seals. He trains daily for this. His Dad absolutely dismissed his sons dreams. I hear military and think: routine, regimented,strict, there are rules–you obey those rules. Sounds actually kind of perfect for someone on the Spectrum if you ask me. There are TONS and TONS of jobs to choose from, try out. In the military, a person with Autism would find support from the guys in his troop. Yes people with Autism are quirky and difficult to understand but there are good people in the world that will recognize the great qualities Autistic individuals can offer and they will support them. If a parent allows the child’s Autism to be an excuse for sheltering them, then no an Autistic child raised like that would not do well in the military. But you take my son…he knows what no means, he understands who’s in charge (his Mom) and he listens.. he goes to the store even when he doesn’t want to. Tough Love baby! Life isn’t always going to be how you think it will be. It is possible to teach high functioning kids to “roll with the punches” …but that starts by not sheltering them. By not avoiding Walmart because it’s too much sensory input. Yes you spend considerably less time in Walmart at first but you gradually increase. I teach my son everyday…I take different ways places (when he’s def. happy to always go the same way), every Friday after school we get a desert– it started out we’d always go to McD’s for ice cream but then one day it occured to me how bringing him to different places (the bakery, convient stores, even sit down restraunts) is a way to teach him not to always expect the same thing. I could say a lot more..but basically it’s all about how the Autistic child is raised.
Comment by Mom — 9 Nov 09 @ 0157
If the person replying as “Someone” happens to come across this message I hope they will contact me. My son has high functioning Autism and although he’s only six years old, everyday I am watching him for his “thing”. That thing that may become an obsession that could lead to a career. The military popped into mind when a gentleman attended our local Autism Society Meeting (the first Dad I’ve ever seen at any meeting in two years.) His son, diagnosed Aspbergers was obsessed with military history. He was determined to get in the Navy Seals. He trains daily for this. His Dad absolutely dismissed his sons dreams. I hear military and think: routine, regimented,strict, there are rules–you obey those rules. Sounds actually kind of perfect for someone on the Spectrum if you ask me. There are TONS and TONS of jobs to choose from, try out. In the military, a person with Autism would find support from the guys in his troop. Yes people with Autism are quirky and difficult to understand but there are good people in the world that will recognize the great qualities Autistic individuals can offer and they will support them. If a parent allows the child’s Autism to be an excuse for sheltering them, then no an Autistic child raised like that would not do well in the military. But you take my son…he knows what no means, he understands who’s in charge (his Mom) and he listens.. he goes to the store even when he doesn’t want to. Tough Love baby! Life isn’t always going to be how you think it will be. It is possible to teach high functioning kids to “roll with the punches” …but that starts by not sheltering them. By not avoiding Walmart because it’s too much sensory input. Yes you spend considerably less time in Walmart at first but avoiding it all together teaches the child they don’t have to face scary things. I teach my son everyday…I take different ways while driving around (when he’s def. happy to always go the same way), every Friday after school we get a desert– it started out we’d always go to McD’s for ice cream but then one day it occurred to me how bringing him to different places (the bakery, convient stores, even sit down restraunts) is a way to teach him not to always expect the same thing. I could say a lot more..but basically it’s all about how the Autistic child is raised and I can absolutely see someone on the spectrum finding a place in the military.
Comment by Mom — 9 Nov 09 @ 0200
My son has Autism. He LOVES the military and I googled weather or not he could join the military and found this. He is in ROTC and loves it. It is so regimented. He loves wearing the uniform and keeping things spick and span…He loves having someone tell him what to do… He is only a freshman but I have often wondered if he could join. I was thinking of asking his ROTC teacher. but he has LOW muscle tone, and not much strength..I cringe when I think of him having a gun…I am not sure he realizes dead is dead…or if he would be sad if he did shoot someone…I hate thinking this way….I wish they had a special olympics military, or honory military that preforms communiy service…He really loves it…No one supports the troops like he does.
Comment by Stacy — 13 Nov 09 @ 1510
Killing a man isn’t easy for anyone who isn’t a sociopath, no matter how much the target may deserve it. It’s to be expected that he would have a reaction to the prospect of having to shoot someone. Training is great, but no one really knows how they’ll react until they’re actually in a battle. Most get over it, some only look like they do, and some don’t even manage that. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to know which category your son will fall into unless and until he actually has to shoot somebody, or order someone else to. One thing I would caution you not to do is tell his superiors that he has autism. If they haven’t figured it out yet, it’s not bad enough to be a problem, but it will be if you open your mouth. Speaking up about this can only cause problems at this point.
Comment by myth buster — 13 Nov 09 @ 1618
Re: Selective Service: The rule is that even men with obviously disqualifying conditions must register, and if their condition precludes them from serving they would be classified as 4-F if they get called up. Would autism be something that would result in such a classification?
http://www.sss.gov
Comment by Kelly — 25 Nov 09 @ 0005
If we became so desperate for manpower as to institute a draft, autism would probably not be considered a prima facie exclusion from service, nor should it be. Fact is, a draft violates people’s liberty, and so it should be used only as a last resort, after all our reserves have been activated and any volunteer recruits who can meet the most basic of standards (pass physical fitness requirements, demonstrate sufficient discipline, mentally capable of understanding and carrying out orders, and no disfiguring injuries or birth defects).
Comment by myth buster — 25 Nov 09 @ 0503
To the person commenting as Mom:
I loved your post and thought I’d respond to tell you good for you and your son!!! You have the right frame of mind and are doing the best for your son. It kills me to see parents babying their kids over what many consider a disability. This is life and this is their life. My son is also high functioning autistic, he’s 10 now, and by doing what you are doing, and getting him the schooling that he needed, he is now in regular elementary school and doing great. No one even knows, including his teacher. He excels in math, science & history, has tons of friends. I still notice some things, but he just comes off as a sweet quirky boy to everyone else. My husband and I even took him to a very nice restaurant the other night, the waitress was quite impressed with his politeness. His dream is to join the military and I think he would be a perfect fit. Anyone who would meet my son and think otherwise, I’d have to laugh.
Comment by meeee — 15 Dec 09 @ 1810