Honoring Achievements and Promoting Inclusion
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the strengths and achievements of individuals with developmental disabilities and encourage us to work together to create a more inclusive world. The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities highlights how individuals with and without disabilities contribute to building stronger communities. This campaign promotes inclusion in all areas of life, including education, employment, recreation, and civic participation.
Advocacy and Year-Round Support
This month urges individuals and organizations to raise awareness, foster acceptance, and shed light on the challenges faced by those with developmental disabilities. It is also an opportunity to evaluate existing legislation and advocate for new policies, services, and programs that enhance their quality of life. The theme for this year, “We’re Here All Year,” serves as a reminder that efforts to support and empower individuals with developmental disabilities should extend beyond March.
Challenges, Resources, and Advocacy Tips
For military families, in addition to the above, this month also emphasizes the distinct challenges of supporting a military-connected child with developmental disabilities, such as frequent relocations, deployments, and the need to reestablish specialized services. Given these unique circumstances, it is crucial to understand your child’s needs and identify the right resources to support them. Here are some helpful tips for navigating and advocating for your child’s needs during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and beyond.
Know the Resources Available to You
One of the first steps to supporting a child with a developmental disability in a military family is understanding the resources available. Military families can access numerous military-specific programs and services.
- The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is designed to support families with special needs, including children with developmental disabilities. EFMP ensures that families are assigned to duty stations where they can access the medical and educational services they require.
- If you have a school-aged child, the School Liaison Program can help to make the move to a new school seamless while addressing your child’s specific needs and the challenges related to the military lifestyle.
- Partners in PROMISE (PiP) offers a variety of resources for our military families, including free Parent Mentor Consultations to assist you in navigating your child’s special education journey and our Special Education & EFMP Binder to help keep your child’s records organized.
Understand Policies Related to Military-Connected Children
Frequent moves create unique challenges for military families, including enrolling in a new school. Policies like the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission’s (MIC3) advanced enrollment can help families register their children before arriving at their new duty station. Additionally, it’s important to be aware of issues like timely evaluations, eligibility determinations, and access to comparable services, all addressed in the policy letter linked here.
Ensure Continuity of Care
As highlighted in PiP’s 2020 Survey Report, “The average military child changes schools three times more than their civilian peers, often experiencing gaps in their education.” Frequent relocations make it challenging to maintain continuity of care and educational services. Each time a military family with a child with special needs receives orders to move, they face the overwhelming task of researching, contacting, and establishing care with new providers and schools. As mentioned earlier, PiP’s Special Education & EFMP Binder is a helpful resource to keep you organized during your PCS, ensuring a smooth transition in care and educational services. Before moving, be sure to:
- Request records: Request your child’s medical, educational, and therapeutic records and hand carry them to ensure a smooth transition between locations.
- Connect with local providers: Contact the new installation’s EFMP office or local support organizations. They can help you access waitlists, find local healthcare providers and educational and therapeutic specialists, and connect you with community resources.
- TRICARE: If you’re new to the TRICARE system or need assistance navigating its various options, take the time to meet with a TRICARE representative. They can help explain how to update TRICARE regions after a PCS, eligibility, coverage, and the process for obtaining services for children with special needs, including programs like Extended Care Health Options (ECHO) and the Autism Care Demonstration.
Build a Support Network
Living in a military community provides an opportunity to connect with other families in similar situations. Reach out to other families who may be facing similar challenges. Support networks can give practical advice, emotional support, and a sense of community. Many military families find comfort and strength in connecting with others who understand the unique pressures of raising children with developmental disabilities. In addition to military families, consider connecting with families through organizations like Special Olympics and Best Buddies, which offer resources, advocacy, and community-building opportunities for children with developmental disabilities and their families. During Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, consider participating in local awareness events or advocacy efforts, and use this time to share your child’s accomplishments with others.
Your Right to Advocate for Your Child’s Education
As a parent, you have the right to advocate for your child’s needs and ensure they receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), as outlined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA guarantees parent participation as a fundamental right and core principle, ensuring you are actively involved in decisions regarding your child’s special education, including IEP development and placement. Work closely with your child’s school district, the School Liaison Office (SLO), and the EFMP to ensure your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is followed. If your child requires additional services, accommodations, or modifications due to their developmental disability, don’t hesitate to advocate for them with your child’s team. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s special education services, as mentioned previously, PiP offers free Parent Mentor Consultations to assist you.
A Powerful Advocacy Resource: PiP’s Latest Report
Another advocacy resource from PiP is our recent report, “The State of Military-Connected Children with Disabilities.” This report is a powerful resource for families navigating the complexities of supporting children with disabilities in military families. By shedding light on the unique challenges families like yours face, the report advocates for the need for targeted policies and services that address both the mobility of military life and the specific educational, healthcare, and emotional needs of children with disabilities. Using this report can help you better understand current policies and advocate for your child’s rights and access to services. This kind of advocacy is crucial for driving systemic change and ensuring that all military-connected children, regardless of disability, receive the support they deserve.
Understanding Special Education Eligibility When Moving
When moving, it is important to understand that eligibility categories, while outlined in IDEA, may vary by state. Under IDEA, “developmental delay” is a specific eligibility category, particularly for children aged 3-9, that allows states to determine eligibility for special education services based on delays in one or more developmental areas.
Reflection and Celebration All Year Round
March serves as an important reminder for military families to reflect on the unique challenges and opportunities they face in supporting a child with a developmental disability. By utilizing available resources, understanding relevant policies, ensuring continuity of care, building support networks, and advocating for their child’s needs, military families can help their children thrive despite the obstacles posed by frequent relocations and other military-specific circumstances. As we observe Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, it’s crucial to remember that support and advocacy should extend well beyond March. With the right resources, tools, knowledge, and community, military families can ensure that their child with a developmental disability has the resources and opportunities they need to succeed year-round, no matter where the military takes them.
About the Author – Carla Wyrsch
Carla Wyrsch is the spouse of a retired United States Marine and mother of two. She has devoted her career to educating and advocating for children with disABILITIES. Her experience spans a variety of settings, including residential treatment facilities, military bases, public schools, virtual learning, and the Lerner School for Autism at the Cleveland Clinic. She is currently a special education teacher for her local school district. In addition to being an educator, Carla enjoys volunteering with Best Buddies of Greater Memphis, the Organization for Autism Research, and Partners in PROMISE as a content creator and advisory board member.
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