My husband is an O-4, we have a son diagnosed with autism at age 2, he is now
four. We have been at the same base for just over 3 years now. The base has
good education, but to see any specialists it's at least an 8 hour drive. The
base (Minot) is coded for autism if you haven't started ABA, my son was
diagnosed while we were stationed at Minot, and there are no ABA services here,
so technically he hasn't started ABA (I have been doing it on my own for the
last 5 months). And that's the meat of this post...

Because we are three years on station, my husband went to his boss and asked
for a reassignment due to my son's medical needs. We are coded EFMP (I don't
know the level-- my son has classic autism, but is verbal). On the EFMP
paperwork it states ABA at the base is need. And in his medical records 3 out
of 4 doctors stated that ABA was a necessity. Right now, my son has hit a
developmental wall. He is progressing, but he would be aided by more
professional ABA (I'm doing it on my own based on two classes and several
books), private speech and OT (which he can't get due to a 2-3 year waiting
list, most practioners won't see any children over 3 because of the long waiting
list to see private therapists) and is over 24 months behind his peers. My
husband has stated that this does not qualify for a humanitarian, but is there
any evidence that I should give to my husband to benefit our cause, as this is
completely up to the Air Force and his bosses.

Also for those of you that would know, does this actually qualify for a
humanitarian? If so what timeframe are we looking at, and what approach should
we use to get the ball rolling. Right now they are telling us that we will be
lucky to know for sure 60 days out, and we probably won't leave until the start
of the next school year (Sept/Oct 08). My husband said he is also going to have
a difficult time getting jobs, because there are limited majors slots and he
needs to go through a hiring process, plus he said that for field graders they
don't just PCS them like CGOs. I was AD for five years, and I have never had an
issue getting assignments like this for my senior enlisted personnel, what would
make senior officers any different.

Any help would be appreciated!


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