Over 100,000 military families have members with special needs, according to the Department of Defense. These include spouses, children, or dependent parents who require special medical or educational services. During the month of July, when America celebrates its Independence, AbilityPath.org introduces you to several military families who have children with special needs and the hard earned wisdom they share with others.

Karen and Colonel Jerome (Jerry) Driscoll were living on Fort Pendleton Marine Corps base in San Diego when their son was diagnosed with autism in 2001. Karen was able to cobble together a comprehensive treatment plan for their boy—combining resources from their local school district, state programs, and the TRICARE military healthcare system. As is the case with military families, Jerry was transferred to Virginia in 2004. “We went from 25 hours of behavioral therapy a week to zero,” Karen said. They found themselves on the bottom of waitlists for special needs programs in their new community, and at odds with school district officials, who said they couldn’t give their son the kind of support he had in California. “It was quite an eye-opening experience,” Karen says. And unfortunately, it’s one that military families frequently face. When you’re moving on average every 2 to 3 years, it can become a constant battle to maintain continuous and consistent care for your child with special needs. Not only must you find new doctors, new therapists, and new schools, but the services and programs vary from state to state and base to base. Plus, each move comes with a new set of bureaucracies and paperwork. The referral process can drag on, so it’s essential to start researching what’s available as soon as you know where you’re going next. “Get smart about your rights, and do everything in your power to speed things along,” says Karen.

The following strategies and tips from military families will help make the journey a little less daunting.