Must Teens With Autism Register for Selective Service?

Parents may feel that their son with an autism spectrum diagnosis should be exempt from the American military, and from selective service registration. After all, autism is a sometimes-severe lifelong disability that impairs critical skills such as speech, social communication, and physical coordination.

But it's not that easy.

Unless a young man is institutionalized, homebound, or "in such a physical or mental condition that he would not comprehend the nature of his registration with the Selective Service System," he is required to register with Selective Service. While there are some young men with autism who would fit this description, most would not.

Here is how the military discusses the issue:

The only process now in effect is that men, between the ages of 18 through 25, register with Selective Service and keep their registration record current during that period. Neither the Military Selective Service Act nor the Presidential proclamation provides an exemption from registration because of a man's mental or physical condition unless Selective Service is provided with documented evidence that the man is hospitalized or institutionalized; or home-bound and unable to function outside the home, with or without physical assistance; or is in such a physical or mental condition that he would not comprehend the nature of his registration with the Selective Service System. A determination is then made by Selective Service as to whether or not the man qualifies for exemption from registration.

You may feel that your son meets these criteria because he is intellectually challenged or unable to respond verbally to your description of Selective Service. If that is the case, you would need written documentation from a doctor that supports your argument.

While your son will very likely need to register for Selective Service, he is not automatically considered to be eligible for military service. Rather, he is entering his information into a database from which the military could potentially pull in the event of a draft. If, after review, your son doesn't meet the military's criteria, he will not be drafted.

While the military is slightly behind the times with their diagnostic information, it is safe to say that as of now people with autism spectrum disorders are not eligible for military service:

According to Department of Defense Instruction 6130.03 (Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services) persons with the following would not be medically fit for military service: pervasive developmental disorders, including Asperger Syndrome, autistic spectrum disorders, and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified does not meet the standard by virtue of current diagnosis, or for which the candidate has a verified past medical history.

It seems likely that there are many people with the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder who not only serve but serve with distinction. It is unlikely, however, that those people were officially diagnosed by a medical professional.

A young adult with an autism diagnosis can certainly volunteer for the military and undergo evaluation. It is possible that, in certain situations, a waiver might be issued. In general, however, a verified diagnosis will probably mean he or she would be turned down.