Air Force Master Sgt. Jason and Latoya Singleton arrived at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo four years ago with their son, Jasir, who is on the autism spectrum. (Marc Castaneda/Stars and Stripes)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — A military family at this airlift hub in western Tokyo, faced with limited therapy options for their special needs son, has created a community network that’s opened possibilities for nearly 50 other families on base.
Air Force Master Sgt. Jason and Latoya Singleton arrived at Yokota four years ago with their son, Jasir, who is on the autism spectrum.
They quickly learned how difficult navigating the Exceptional Family Member Program can be overseas, Latoya Singleton told Stars and Stripes on Sept. 17 at Yokota’s Yujo Community Center. Therapies were limited and providers often didn’t accept Tricare, the Defense Department health insurance plan for military families.
The Singletons pieced together therapies in Tokyo, often paying out of pocket. Over time, they became the “go-to” family for others seeking guidance, she said.
“We were literally paying everything out of pocket for all his therapies,” she said. “Eventually, therapists started referring new families to us and saying, ‘This is the family you want to talk to.’ ”
Jasir Singleton, who is on the autism spectrum, takes part in a recent sensory event in the library at Yokota Air Base, Japan. (Latoya Singleton)
This spring, Singleton created Yokota Thrives, a network of nearly 50 families that share resources and push for inclusive base events.
“I wanted to open up a community where people could feel safe,” she said. “There’s still a stigma in the military, especially overseas, that if your child has autism you’ll automatically get sent back. That’s not true. There are a lot of kids here, and they still need resources.”
Kristi Forbes, a registered nurse at Yokota Middle School, said her son has non-verbal learning disability, a new diagnosis not officially on the autism spectrum. She often seeks advice on Yokota Thrives’ Facebook page.
“The group has been very helpful because even though it’s not the same diagnosis that most of the parents are dealing with, there’s a lot of similarities,” she said by phone on Sept. 19.
In the first Defense Department survey across the EFMP between November 2022 and March 2023, only 43% of enrolled members said their families’ needs were “largely met,” while 17% reported they weren’t met at all.
For parents overseas, the hurdles multiply.
“When we first got here, [Applied Behavior Analysis] therapy wasn’t available at all,” Singleton said. “We were driving an hour and a half into Tokyo and paying out of pocket. Now there’s a provider that takes Tricare, so that’s a big improvement.”
Yokota Thrives is pushing for sensory-friendly hours at the library and swimming pool, adjusted lighting at events and better advertisement of EFMP programs, she said. During a July 24 spouses’ luncheon with 374th Airlift Wing commander Col. Richard McElhaney, Singleton discussed her ideas with him and other leaders.
“I talked to them about it, and they were like, ‘You know, that’s a good idea. You know, this is something that we should look into.’ ”
Later, she met with the Force Support Squadron and EFMP representatives to discuss her overall vision.
“They told me, ‘Our spaces are already EFMP-friendly,’ ” she said. “But just because the physical space is there doesn’t mean the social aspect works for our kids.”
Air Force Master Sgt. Jason Singleton and his son, Jasir, who is on the autism spectrum, participate in a recent pumpkin painting event at Yokota Air Base, Japan. (Latoya Singleton)
The USO, for example, gave Yokota Thrives the first hour of its Aug. 20 Summer Splash as a sensory-friendly option. Neurodivergent children played outside with bubble makers and water guns or painted and customized shirts.
“USO cares about all military families,” USO event coordinator Amber Laughton told Stars and Stripes on Sept. 19. “We try our best to do whatever we can do to create that inclusive space and environment.
The Singletons expect Yokota Thrives to continue thriving after they depart Yokota in March.
“Even if there are no events, I want it to continue to be a safe space. A place where you can go for resources,” Latoya Singleton said. “The biggest thing is inclusion, not just existing.”
