I remember one day at my school, a former graduate coming back to visit, and to my surprise he was dressed in his navy uniform, clean cut, and standing tall and confident. I was shocked. This young man looked great! I had no idea he joined the military, and it was clear that this was a great path for him after high school. I was so proud of how he looked, how he carried himself, and what he described in working on a navy destroyer loading rounds below deck as well as keeping watch on the top deck (which he said he preferred because he got to carry a gun).
In an earlier blog post, I wrote about CPR--Consistency, Predictability, and Routine. For some students on the higher-functioning side of the Autism Spectrum, the military could be an effective way to transition to independence while building more life skills. I think of students who have gone to basic training right out of high school as a way to further develop skills and serve their country. The military route for some students on the Autism Spectrum can provide structure, community, and purpose. For this student in the navy, it clearly helped him build independence in his own way while giving him direction in life. And obviously, the military is not for all young people on the spectrum. But I applaud those who choose to serve our country. The transformation in this high-functioning autistic student, having entered the military, was awesome. I'm proud of him and other students of mine who serve.
Happy Veterans Day!
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