Stock-based Compensation, Equity Grants, and Warrants - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock option expense	$ 241	$ 63	$ 1,169	$ 613
Total unrecognized expense	980		$ 980		$ 398
Weighted average share based compensation expense recognition period			53 months
DLH Employees | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock option expense	68	55	$ 199	117
Total unrecognized expense	980		980		398
Non-employee Directors | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock option expense	173	$ 8	970	$ 496
Total unrecognized expense	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0