Naval Hospital Bremerton Recognized for Dedication in Fight Against Autism

By Douglas H Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Military Special Needs Network representatives thanked Naval Hospital Bremerton staff April 15, for their dedication to helping families affected with autism.

"We wanted to thank everyone at NHB for their continued hard work, dedication and support in the lifelong journey of autism," said Wendy Kruse, Military Special Needs Network spokesperson.

According to complied statistics by Department of Defense, there are currently over 22,000 family members and dependents of active duty and retired service members with autism diagnoses.

One out of 88 military family members is diagnosed with autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate and interact socially.

"NHB has always had strong ties with our EMFP families," said Capt. Mark E. Brouker, commanding officer, NHB. "It's an honor to be recognized and we also thank them for their passion in caring for family members with autism and other disorders."

Kruse noted that the Military Special Needs Network group is comprised of approximately 200 families, with 48 percent having an child with autism.

"We know our children are a little different, but they don't have to live in a bubble. With the help of the NHB staff, we are enabling them to come out and experience what it is like to be a kid," said Kruse.

Symptoms of autism involve three major areas of development – social, communication and behavioral.

A person with autism may have difficulty in social interaction with others; not communicate in developmentally appropriate ways; exhibit self-injurious or repetitive behaviors and/or focus interest on a single topic or activity, or fixate on objects. Among people with autism, no two individuals are the same.

For Krista Barosh, the support from NHB has been a positive, life-altering experience for her family and especially Jonah, her son, who is autistic.

"It was unexpected. But we had been told before it was something else and was undetected," Barosh said. "Now that we know, Jonah has had great care. Staff at NHB 'get it' and have been very helpful and always quick to assist us."

The Military Special Needs Network for the greater Kitsap/Navy Region Northwest area meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month. An average of 75 people, along with their children, attend.

"We provide activities and really show that our support group is 24 hours, seven days a week," said Kruse. "We're also linked to other similar groups around the country in such places as New Jersey, Arizona and southern California."