Photo By Sgt. Tashera Pravato | U.S. Army Sgt. Regina Barber, supply sergeant for Joint Force Headquarters, South...... read more read more
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COLUMBIA, S.C- One day Sgt. Regina Barber, a Soldier in the South Carolina Army National Guard, was watching the movie “Rain Man” when a light bulb went on as she noticed some similarities between one of the main characters and her 5-year-old son Caleb. Caleb was soon diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) considered to be on the “high functioning” end of the autism spectrum.
In the years following, Barber made the decision to join the Guard because she saw how being a member of the South Carolina National Guard could benefit her family.
“I joined mainly because of the medical benefits,” said Barber. “I was looking ahead.”
However, Barber gained a benefit from being a Soldier that she didn’t foresee. Her service has given her additional strength to be able to handle the journey.
“When Caleb was diagnosed, they told me that he might never be able to do things as simple as tying his shoes,” said Barber. “I was worried about the type of life he would have but now, at 16-years-old, Caleb walks home from school by himself.”
While Barber works full time as a supply specialist for the S.C. National Guard, Caleb attends Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. His favorite subjects include math and biology.
“Caleb’s face lights up when he talks about biology. He is also great at math, which he didn’t get from me,” Barber said with a proud smile.
In addition to school, Caleb also plays the violin in the school’s orchestra program. After just 1.5 years of taking lessons, he now plays second chair.
“I don’t have to see the music on the paper to be able to play the notes,” Caleb said. This means that he can learn and play music by ear, which is no easy task for most. While Caleb excels in many areas, his mother recognizes that there are still some people who don’t understand autism and is sure to remind him that he should never let anyone make him feel inferior.
Many people aren’t educated about different types of autism even though an estimated 23,000 military dependents, including children of active duty, reserve and guard families, are affected by autism.
“My command and fellow Guardsmen have always been very flexible and understanding when it came to Caleb,” said Barber. “However, I didn’t want to be treated any different than other Soldiers.”
Caleb also expresses that he also doesn’t like to be treated differently. But both he and his mother recognize that the combination of being autistic and a military child comes with a special set of difficulties.
Being a military child is very hard for any boy or girl given the potential for constant instability. It can be especially difficult for children with an autism spectrum disorder because they often face additional challenges that their civilian counterparts do not have to overcome.
According to Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to autism awareness, states that a specific feature of autism is difficulty with life, routine, or environmental changes of any kind. And those individuals often need a set routine, stability, and continuity of services and relationships. Military life, by its nature, provides few of these needs.
“There is a lot of focus on the service member and their immediate family but not necessarily on the needs of special needs family members,” said Barber. “I wish that I saw more services for children like Caleb because then there might be a more open conversation within the military community about our children and their needs.”
Caleb and his mother see his condition as a difference, not a disability.
“Looking at your belly and buying baby clothes, you never imagine that your child will be born different,” said Barber. “But when it happens to you, you realize that it is a gift. I’ve learned to be more patient and compassionate and I’ve been gifted with this amazing young man of mine.”
| Date Taken: | 04.20.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.20.2016 12:28 |
| Story ID: | 195910 |
| Location: | COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 984 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, S.C. National Guard Soldier speaks out for autism, by SGT Tashera Pravato, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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