Law Enforcement

Post Reply New Topic

A great addendum!

Lights are a BIG BIG issue! I have to squint and turn away from them, and that causes the police to immediately think I'm either stoned (resulting in dilated pupils/hypersensitive to light), or I'm hiding my eyes. I have an autism info card, which I printed up, that explains light on the autism eyes. It has helped a lot.

Sirens no problem, in fact I collect and restore vintage Cold War air raid sirens. That's one of my biggest special interests. I have one of the largest, loudest sirens ever built, installed and operational on the house. In my avatar, I'm "stunt lifiting" a 590-lb Federal Model SD10 siren.

Eye contact is also a problem leading officers to think I'm drunk or on drugs. I have "forced" eye contact, meaning I force myself to make it to be polite, but that's obviously weird to those who don't understand. When having a serious conversation, I can't connect thoughts to words, nor can I comprehend the other person's words when I'm trying to make eye contact. So I tend to look off to the side, or at the floor, and once again, that's often taken as belligerence or rudeness/disrespect by the other person. Police would do well to use gentle eye contact; a glance to let me know I'm the one they're aiming the contact toward, and otherwise let their eyes wander or maybe stand beside me and look at whatever I'm looking at; rather than to be face-to-face. If that's impractical due to the officer's fear of safety, to take his/her eyes off me, then at least accept that I am not comfortable, and be reasonable about it.

Charles

I usually feel resentful & a bit guilty, because I probably only talk to police (other than at work, I used to work Graveyard in several C-stores so I had some police friends then) because it usually means a ticket.
If I were in a shut-down, though, I would be able to hear, but unable to react voices or stimuli. I can see the chance for something unfortunate happening. On the oher hand, I am highly respectful of laws & rules, so seldom do anything but bend some driving laws.

Sincerely,
Matthew

The answers and suggestions you all have given are so helpful. Thank you all so much!

The ASD card is a great idea

Ask me how I think the situation could be solved/resolved

Imposing control on me is a big NO NO

Handcuffs or restraint are a definite NO NO

Hidden agendas and or communicating behind my back or indistinctly is a NO NO

If I say I have no pain, it doesn't automatically mean I'm not seriously injured. Ask if i'd like to lie down and rest while a medic gives me a quick look over, for their own or everyone's peace of mind

Ive been researching the cards and talking to a few law enforcement folks I know and there is one big concern. If you have that in your pocket and reach for ir cops will think your going for a weapon! That could go very wrong. Any other thoughts on easily viewed signs? What about a bracelet?

How about a MedicAlert bracelet with "see card in wallet" on it? (I think that they even have non-metallic ones, nowadays.) I don't know what policies the MedicAlert company has, though.

If u asked ME to wear a bracelet it would have to be non-metallic and non-rubber. Webbing or canvas perhaps, and certainly NOT saying "autistic","ASD" or "Aspie" (i.e: recognisable to emergency services, but not to casual uninformed public.
Just MY opinion

How long do you think it will take the uninformed public to become informed?

If ME lets you put "see card in wallet/purse/boot/underwear" you could keep the card tucked away somewhere and if any busybodies ask what it's for you could tell them that it says that you're allergic to penicillin or something.