Do you carry an Autism Alert card with you?

Page 2 of 2 [ 27 posts ] Go to page Previous 1, 2

Joined: 23 Jul 2011
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Posts: 311

14 Nov 2011, 8:30 am

No. I don't think I would really want one, I have spent so much time not knowing that I am somehow different to others that I have learnt to deal, I very rarely have meltdowns or shutdowns and do not really remember the last, though if you include the total shutdown of a body like fainting in a room of 800 people, that was 20 years ago.

It may be an interesting thing to carry, but for me the novelty value will be as far as it will likely ever go.

jackbus01
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 5 Feb 2011
Age: 52
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,197

14 Nov 2011, 10:48 am

No.

I am having trouble trying to picture a scenario where a card would be helpful. Really how would it be helpful. Can someone give an example where one was helpful.

StuartN
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 20 Jan 2010
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,569

14 Nov 2011, 1:19 pm

jackbus01 wrote:

I am having trouble trying to picture a scenario where a card would be helpful. Really how would it be helpful. Can someone give an example where one was helpful.

Telling a nurse etc you have ASD and might behave in ways that are unusual. Being arrested, or stopped by security for behaving suspiciously. Flying on an aeroplane and explaining your anxiety to over-eager cabin-crew. Explaining to a teacher / lecturer why you might want to record a meeting or lesson.

Phidaissi
Butterfly

Joined: 7 Nov 2011
Gender: Female
Posts: 15
Location: Australia

14 Nov 2011, 7:09 pm

StuartN wrote:

jackbus01 wrote:

I am having trouble trying to picture a scenario where a card would be helpful. Really how would it be helpful. Can someone give an example where one was helpful.

I've been harassed by police for asking (what I consider) to be legitimate, non-hostile questions - such as, "Why were you called out here?"
They responded negatively thinking I was trying to be difficult, and refused to allow me to explain that no ill-will was intended, and they resorted to physical threats, yelling, and eventually assaulted me.

I imagine something like that card might have been useful in that situation, rare as the situation might be.

27315
Blue Jay

Joined: 21 Aug 2010
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Posts: 79
Location: Sweden

15 Nov 2011, 8:48 am

I have a piece of paper in my wallet that says
Autistic
sorry if I did something wrong,
I'm not intentionally rude
If possible, please leave me be
If not, speak calm and clear and
I might be able to respond.

I'm getting a bracelett aswell as soon as I find one that I like.

MONKEY
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 3 Jan 2009
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Posts: 9,896
Location: Stoke, England (sometimes :P)

15 Nov 2011, 9:18 am

jackbus01 wrote:

No.

I am having trouble trying to picture a scenario where a card would be helpful. Really how would it be helpful. Can someone give an example where one was helpful.

Guilt tripping authority figures to be nice to you. :wink:

_________________
What film do atheists watch on Christmas?
Coincidence on 34th street.

Tetra
Tufted Titmouse

Joined: 19 Sep 2011
Age: 37
Gender: Female
Posts: 45

15 Nov 2011, 9:22 am

I have one from my local autism group and one from the national autistic society.

I carry these because of police and security staff. A police man got off his motorbike on Sunday and searched me whilst I was waiting at a bus stop. Then he went away when he saw my card but said he was going to keep an eye on me. I really dislike people like him.

I don't know why I always look like I am doing something wrong but it makes me feel safer to carry an autism card as they usually leave me alone after seeing it. I feel very anxious being talked to by people I do not know. I have difficulty expressing myself when stressed.

jackbus01
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 5 Feb 2011
Age: 52
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,197

15 Nov 2011, 10:45 am

Maybe I am horribly cynical, but a lot of the times police just want to control the situation and bully people and a card isn't going to stop that.
Police are trained to spot atypical (suspicious) behavior and they equate that with trouble.
Due to my work schedule about 15 years ago I used to go jogging at night on city streets (which is suspicious). I was always stopped and asked cop questions "What are you doing?" etc. It got so annoying that I just quit doing it. I also did not want the reputation of being "trouble", even though I was doing nothing wrong.

I live in a decent size city in the US and our chief of police publicly stated that he was trying to meet with NAMI (National Alliance Mentally Ill) to try to figure out why his police force had to deal with "those people". This was in response to police shootings involving mentally-ill persons. Some dude had PTSD and wanted to suicide by cop. The police showed up and shot and killed him, even though he had no weapon. The cop's defense was they spent 10 mins trying to talk him out of it and he verbally threatened them. Anyway police-citizen shootings are much higher than national average where I live. It is actually pretty scary.
Also, our state has strict mandatory DUI laws (cannot be reduced by a judge) and people have been arrested for taking legitimately prescribed prescription psychiatric medication. It is crazy.
I read in the news online that in Los Angelos (not my city) that a cop shot and killed a non-verbal autistic kid because he was unresponsive to commands.

Anyway, not all cops are bullys, but the few that are seem to get pass and there is not much that is done about it. You can be mentally ill or autistic or whatever it doesn't matter, you might have a less-lethal weapon used on you if you are not compliant.

An autism card won't help. If a cop is reasonable, they will probably be listening to you and understanding you anyway.

jackbus01
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 5 Feb 2011
Age: 52
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,197

15 Nov 2011, 10:54 am

Tetra wrote:

The police probably thought you were some kind of disability rights activist or something. Police often make judgments (right or wrong) about the stupidest thing. Those types of people are left alone because they will go public if they are mistreated. So, I guess a card did work in your favor then.

Tuttle
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 26 Mar 2006
Gender: Female
Posts: 3,088
Location: Massachusetts

15 Nov 2011, 12:33 pm

jackbus01 wrote:

An autism card won't help. If a cop is reasonable, they will probably be listening to you and understanding you anyway.

That assumes you're not having difficulties speaking.

The reason I want to carry a card with me is because if I'm pushed too far then words stop coming out of my mouth - I'd be able to communicate via typing, but that doesn't necessary help, unless I could somehow mime to get permission to use my laptop or tablet for communication and that doesn't work if I don't have either on me.

I've seen someone I know put into a situation by the cops that would have made me go mute.

Blindspot149
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 7 Oct 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,516
Location: Aspergers Quadrant, INTJ, AQ 45/50

16 Nov 2011, 12:02 am

I should probably qualify my OP and follow up posts.

I travel by plane quite a lot and sometimes overseas.

I carry my Autism Alert card primarily as a precaution for that.

I am fine in during the flight (ear plugs and menthol inhalers protect me from other passengers)

But I really dislike airports and sometimes find them quite overwhelming.
-Especially the long check-in lines and then having to navigate through mobs of people in the grotesque 'retail' sections that often obstruct the route to the departure lounge.

I've never used my Alert Card, or needed to, but I feel more confident knowing I have it if I ever do need it.

_________________
Now then, tell me. What did Miggs say to you? Multiple Miggs in the next cell. He hissed at you. What did he say?

Page 2 of 2 [ 27 posts ] Go to page Previous 1, 2

Jump to:

Do you carry an Autism Alert card with you? Post Reply New Topic

Do you carry an Autism Alert card with you?