In an effort to provide education and dialogue on autism, the Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, established National Autism Awareness Month in the 1970s.

Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, commanding general of Marine Corps Base Camp Butler and deputy commander of Marine Corps Bases Japan, signed a proclamation in honor of Autism Awareness Month here last month.

The goal of the signing was to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, as well as to encourage service members to get involved with supporting recreational events, said Sarah Harrell, a training, education and outreach specialist with the Exceptional Family Member Program here.

“Autism is more common than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer and AIDS combined,” said Harrell. “We are looking to educate and change attitudes about autism by bringing positive awareness to the military community through programs, seminars and recreational events.”

In the Okinawa school district alone, there are approximately 77 school-age youth diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to Jill Kleinheinz, an autism specialist with the Department of Defense.

There are various programs and resources set in place on Okinawa to ensure families dealing with autism have the necessary information to handle the obstacles of day-to-day life, said Harrell.

The U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa Educational and Developmental Intervention Service provides support by identifying, evaluating and providing services to special-needs military dependent children on Okinawa. Their services include a team of occupational and physical therapists, speech pathologists, family service coordinators, clinical child psychologists and developmental pediatricians.

The Exceptional Family Member Program is another vital asset to military families dealing with autism, said Harrell.

“The EFMP is designed to help Marines ensure the continuum of care for family members with special needs,” said Harrell. “The program’s primary purpose is to provide coordination and support throughout the assignment process, ensuring the availability and accessibility of needed services for the family while meeting the mission of the Corps.”

For Tamera Jones, who has been stationed here with her family for five years and is the mother of an autistic child, the services have proved invaluable.

“The EFMP has done an excellent job of supporting families and giving us a place to go to relax and be the majority for once,” said Jones. “The staff has always treated me and my family as their own, and continues to do everything in their power to assist us with any concerns or questions that arise.”

The EFMP will host several recreational events throughout the month and service member participation is encouraged, including a Movie on the Lawn Night on April 30 at Gunner’s Field, said Harrell.

“Any and all participants or volunteers are welcome to these events, and also to any we may have in the future,” she added.

For more information on Autism Awareness Month, call Harrell at 645-3895.