What About Autism And Vaccines
Most discussion about the cause or causes of autism, especially in media reports, invariably touches on the subject of vaccines and autism. Indeed, a number of parents of children with autism believe that there is a link between autism and the MMR vaccine and that the vaccine, in fact, caused the onset of autism.
Despite the strongly held beliefs of proponents of the vaccine theory, there is no scientific proof that the MMR or any vaccines cause autism. There is a correlation in time, however. The age for autism diagnosis is normally between years 1 and 3, whereas children are vaccinated around the age of 2. With no other explanation for the onset of autism, this correlation often leads parents to link the development of autism symptoms to the effects of the MMR vaccine.
As a result of those concerns and the advocacy of many parents and parent groups, there is ongoing research that is examining environmental factors as they may relate to autism. At present, however, there is no evidence that a link between autism and vaccines;exists, and it is important to note that vaccines help protect and strengthen the bodys;immune system and, therefore, prevent many otherwise serious diseases.
Whats A Good Job For Someone With Aspergers
Computer science is a good choice because it is very likely that many of the best programmers have either Aspergers syndrome or some of its traits. Other good majors are: accounting, engineering, library science, and art with an emphasis on commercial art and drafting.
The Army Is Investigating How A 19
This article by Haley Britzky originally appeared on;Task & Purpose, a digital news and culture publication dedicated to military and veterans issues.
The Army is investigating a situation surrounding a 19-year-old’s recruitment, including claims that his recruiter encouraged him to hide his autism diagnosis.
First reported by Army Times, Garrison Horsley and his father allege that an Army recruiter “encouraged him to hide potentially disqualifying factors in order to enlist as a human resources specialist.” Horsley has high-functioning autism and congenital arm disorder that limits the movement in his left arm, Army Times reports; he was also being treated for “a mild episode of recurrent depressive disorder.”
According to the initial;Army Times report;”applicants with autism spectrum disorders are automatically disqualified, per Defense Department accession policy, though sometimes medical enlistment waivers are granted after a visit to a DoD behavioral health consultant.”
Lisa Ferguson, Army Recruiting Command spokeswoman, told Army Times that waivers are “considered on a case-by-case basis,” but that autism “isn’t something normally waived if the diagnosis was appropriately given.” Horsely said he received a waiver for his arm disorder, which leaves his left arm 50% weaker than his right.
“Does that disqualify me from the Army?” Horsley says in the text messages.
“Hey man just give me a call when you can,” Gaunya appears to respond.
More articles from Task & Purpose:
Also Check: What Is The Life Expectancy Of People With Autism
Is Having Anxiety Or An Anxiety Disorder Disqualifying
As we mentioned earlier, anxiety is a broad term which covers several different mental illnesses.
For example, bipolar disorder and PTSD are extremely severe forms of mood disorders and usually difficult to receive a waiver.
Meanwhile, other forms of anxiety such as having panic attacks or dealing with mild forms of depression may allow you to obtain a waiver.
The military examines whether you recently had inpatient or outpatient care related to your anxiety.
It also studies if you took any prescription medication to help deal with anxiety in the last year or last three years depending on the condition.
Can I Join The Reserves At 50 Years Old
Across the United States Armed Forces, the maximum age for enlistment for someone who has never served in the military before depends on the branch. For the Army, the maximum age is 35. For the Navy, age waivers start at 34- years old. For the Air Force, the maximum age allowed to join is 39- years old.
You May Like: Symmetra Autistic Comic
Meps Mental Health Screening
The military uses a mental health screening to see if there are any potential red flags that will prevent you from carrying out your role fully with the military.
Furthermore, the military wants to verify that you arent a danger to yourself or others.
Both a military recruiter and an evaluator at MEPS will ask you questions about your mental health through a one-on-one interview.
The interview isnt too detailed if there are no concerns or red flags within the your medical record.
Prepare yourself to answer questions honestly and truthfully, but most agree that you dont need to bring up any preexisting conditions unless it has greatly impacted your life in the past.
Everyone deals with some type of anxiety and has days where they feel down.
However, those symptoms are different from someone that is diagnosed with and suffers from mood disorders or other mental illnesses.
Can You Join The Army With A History Of Depression
Depression is a difficult mental health condition for anyone to figure out, much less the military.
The military currently has a broad definition of depression that doesnt cover its many facets.
Its still struggling to find out how to deal with the rising problem in the United States.
While in the past it was a disqualifier, most military branches are changing their stance on diagnosed examples.
Therefore, you may receive a waiver after the military examines your personal circumstances.
The military will study things like when you were diagnosed, current symptoms, if you take medication for your depression, and if youve received inpatient/outpatient care in the last year.
Recommended Reading: Life Expectancy For Someone With Asperger\’s Syndrome
Can You Join The Military With Ptsd
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder disqualifies you from military service in most cases.
The problem with PTSD is that the disorder is often linked to serious trauma like what you might experience serving the Armed Forces.
Therefore, serving the military might only make symptoms worse.
You should avoid service to find more effective ways to cope with the disorder.
How Does The Military Test For Mental Health Disorders
The military treats mental health very seriously and takes a rigid stance on enforcing disqualifications.
Military mental health disqualifications can prevent you from serving in the military.
The problem with many types of mental illness is that the diagnosis is highly subjective.
Furthermore, there are varying levels of anxiety disorders and depression.
For example, you may be aware that you struggle with anxiety yet be able to manage it without needing medication.
Meanwhile, another person may need medication to help keep anxiety and panic attacks from becoming too severe.
The military conducts a psychological evaluation during Military Entrance Processing Stations .
Dont take the psychological evaluation personally because every new recruit has to endure the same evaluation.
The military needs to determine if you have mental aptitude in addition to meeting physical fitness standards for enlistment.
Related Article:Army APFT Standards for Males and Females
Read Also: Autistic Life Expectancy
I’m Autistic And I Want To Serve In The Military
Serving in the military is both an honor and a service to those who volunteer in this great country of the the United States of America. Many potential volunteers are disqualified for various reasons. Thus the reason for my letter.
I am a 25-year-old man with a four year college degree in history from Stony Brook University, and I have autism. I have been rejected by the U.S. Army three times outright just from disclosing my diagnosis. I was also rejected by the U.S. Marine Corps twice after disclosing my medical records. I was never given the opportunity to take the ASVAB, nor was I given an opportunity to appeal the decision.
This is a personal fight for me but this is also a fight for other people with autism. For far too long our right to serve and fight has been denied on the grounds of our disorder, but we are so much more than that. We have served before and we continue to serve beneath the radar. I was even told by one of my recruiters to hide my diagnosis by not mentioning it. This is wrong. Just like ethnic minority and LGBT service members before us, we shouldnt have to hide who we are when serving.
That is why Im asking the U.S. government and military to make autism a potentially waiverable condition for military service. This waiver wont cover all people on the autism spectrum, nor should it because autism is a spectrum disorder. But those of us who can serve and want to serve should be able to do so.
Getty image by Niyazz.
The Austic Right To Fight
Serving in the military is both an honor and a service to those who volunteer in this great country of the United States of America.; Many potential volunteers are disqualified for various reasons.; Thus the reason for my letter, I am a twenty-five-year-old man with a four-year college degree in history from Stony Brook University with high functioning autism.; I have been rejected by the U.S. Army three times outright just from disclosing my diagnosis.; I was also rejected by the U.S. Marine Corps twice after disclosing my medical records.; I was never given the opportunity to take the ASVAB nor was I given an opportunity to appeal the decision.
This is a personal fight for me, but this is also a fight for other people with high functioning autism.; For far too long our right to serve and fight has been denied on the grounds of our disorder, but we are so much more than that.; We have served before, and we continue to serve beneath the radar.; I was even told by one of my recruiters to hide my diagnosis by not mentioning it.; This is wrong as, just like in the case of ethnic minorities and LGBT service members before us, we shouldn’t have to hide whom we are when serving.
James Strack is a Stony Brook University graduate with autism wanting to serve in the military.; Right now he works at King Kullen and Home Depot.; He also serves in his local State Defense Force.
NOTES:
Read Also: Aspergers Life Expectancy
Military Missing Out On ‘brilliant’ Applicants With Autism
An MP wants more to be done to deal with a “fundamental failure” in the application system.
Britain’s military is losing the opportunity to hire “brilliant minds” due to moves to stop people with;autism;from applying to join, ministers have been warned.
Conservative MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan, whose 19-year-old university student son has Asperger’s syndrome, appealed to the Ministry of Defence to work with her to deal with the “fundamental failure” in the application system.
‘Your Army Needs You’: Army Unveils Latest Recruitment Campaign
3rd January 2019
Speaking during a Commons debate, she added the talents of those people on the autistic spectrum should be employed for the “nation’s good”.
Ms Trevelyan began her speech by saying it was “simply wrong” for;autism;to be classified as a “mental health disorder”, telling MPs: “I do feel the Government needs to be taking on the global network of conversation that says this is an acceptable way to do it.”
Ms Trevelyan said everyone has mental health, and mental ill health is something specific which requires medical treatment.
She added: “I’m trying really hard to let the MOD let me do some work with them to look at why it is that autistic spectrum disorder is an automatic disbarment at the moment from participating in application to the military in the United Kingdom.
“We have now,;because many more, thank goodness, young people are diagnosed, listed it as an automatic disbarment and that shouldn’t be the case.
3rd January 2019
Can Autistic People Be Doctors
Some autistic doctors find academic or laboratory work preferable to clinical posts, but they can be excellent clinicians in all specialties with appropriate adjustments and empathetic colleagues. Greater understanding and support are required to enable doctors with autism to continue to be assets to medicine.
Don’t Miss: What Is The Life Expectancy Of Someone With Autism
Mental Health Conditions That Are Disqualifying In The Military
Nearly 20% of the U.S. population deals with some type of mental illness.
Despite the stigma, mental illness is not uncommon or a personal problem.
These diseases and conditions are very serious and require treatment like any other medical condition.
Serving in the military with mental illness has always been a delicate issue, considering soldiers carry weapons and could put other lives in jeopardy.
The military treats mental health very seriously, considering going into combat or other stressful situations could trigger unwanted symptoms.
However, the Armed Forces have recently adapted and changed some of its previous guidelines regarding mental health disqualifications for military service.
Heres a list of 9 of the most common mental health conditions, and whether or not the condition will disqualify you from military service:
Can You Be Drafted At Age 35
1940 Congress enacts the Selective Training and Service Act. All males between the ages of 21 and 35 are ordered to register for the draft and the first national lottery is held. The new Selective Service Act provides for the drafting of men between 19 and 26 for twelve months of active service.
Read Also: What Is The Best Pet For An Autistic Child
Can You Join The Navy If You Have Autism
The Navy is another branch of the military that has moderate policies as far as accepting autistics is concerned.
In order to join the Navy with autism, you first need to visit a specialist to determine the spectrum of the condition. The medical examiner will be able to discern whether your condition can affect your productivity at work or not.
Consulting a specialist before going through the recruitment process is important in view of the fact that various autism spectrums are disqualifying factors in the Navy.
Much like the Army, people with Aspergers syndrome have the upper hand when it comes to joining the Navy.
As it is the norm with most recruitment processes, all potential recruits must undergo testing at the Military Entrance Processing Station .
Here, you have to disclose to the recruiter about your condition and submit relevant documents to prove that you meet high mental, moral and medical standards despite your condition.
However, your diagnosis might first go through re-evaluation to determine your eligibility.
In addition, the re-evaluation report must indicate sufficient proof that your condition does not affect or interfere with your daily functioning.
You may also need to apply for a waiver, which might be determined on a case-by-case basis if the recruiter realizes that you have something to offer the nation.
Florida Woman Accused Of Keeping Autistic Child Inside Homemade Cage
The Israeli military has a secret weapon a highly trained squad of elite soldiers thats entirely made up of autistic teens.
Young adults who have autism spectrum disorder and are normally excluded from Israels conscription are now getting a shot at serving their country as part of the Roim Rachok program, according to a new Esquire report.
Roim Rachok which means seeing far into the future in Hebrew is mutually beneficial. The Israel Defense Forces gets to tap into an underutilized subset of savants with razor-sharp focus, while the autistic service members gain a highly sought-after skill set thatll grant them future workplace opportunities.
These are the best soldiers in the unit, a Roim Rachok commander named Eitan told the magazine. Its a win-win for the country. Its a win-win for the soldiers. And its a win-win for me. This is the right thing to do at the right time.
The program, founded in 2012, also provides a new way of looking at autism, which affects 1 percent of the worlds population.
In Israel, conscription two years and eight months for men and two years for women is seen as a rite of passage into adulthood. Those over the age of 18 are required to enlist in the IDF, though the autistic population is exempt and falls in a category known as Profile 21.
I wanted him to be part of society, Sali said. I wanted him to learn to have a profession, to be able to work and support himself in the future.
You May Like: How To Make A Visual Schedule For Autism
Is It Hard To Get Into Army
But today, more than two-thirds of Americas young people wouldnt qualify for military service because of physical, behavioral, or educational problems. The services have long required at least a high-school education as a prerequisite for joining. Minimum 33 score on Armed Forces Qualification Test.
How Do You Get A Medical Waiver
Applicants typically learn about the medical waiver process when they meet with a recruiter the first enlistment step for any branch.
Most applicants disclose their ADHD history in conversation with the recruiter, but they also must indicate their ADHD history in the medical documents they must fill out as part of the enlistment process.
One of these documents is the Accessions Medical Prescreen Report, or the DD 2807-2, which requires applicants to check yes or no if they were evaluated or treated for ADHD, and if they are taking or have taken medication to improve attention. Applicants must also explain all yes answers in a separate section. Consequences for failing to answer truthfully or making false statements are noted in the form.
This prescreen form is completed with the help of the recruiter, and is reviewed by a medical professional at a Military Entrance Processing Station typically the second step in the recruitment process, during which potential enlistees take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test and undergo a medical examination.
Each branch has its own waiver authority board, which will make the waiver determination based on all available information regarding the issue or condition, as well as the specific needs of the military service, according to DOD guidelines.
Read Also: Lionel Messi Aspergers