The Autism Alert card

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http://www.autism.org.uk/card

The National Autistic Society has produced an Autism Alert card. It's a card for showing people in situations in which communication is difficult. A recent article in a social work magazine my mum subscribes to detailed how police in some areas of Wales are piloting an innovative scheme involving the card to raise awareness among the police force and Autistic people alike.

I'm thinking of getting one because I've been detained by the police a few times for what most people would perceive as bizarre behaviour and being able to show the card would probably guarantee they'd treat me better and not jump to the wrong conclusions about me. What are other British people's thoughts about the card? Do you have one or will you be getting one?

Oooo! I have one of those! (Yes, I'm a member of the NAS. )

I think that they are pretty useful, especially if you want an employee, for example, to know more about your condition, so that they won't make any unfair requests of you and such.

I don't life in the UK, but I have a card similar to what you're talking about. I carry it in my wallet.

On one side, big letters, it says, IMPORTANT MEDICAL CONDITION - READ IMMEDIATELY!

On the reverse, it says:

I haven't had to use it yet. But I got it after a woman hit my car in the parking lot and I was so stressed I was having trouble speaking. Nice to know it's there.

I would only consider that as long as there is no paper trail from it that could stigmatize me in any way.

Considering that you have multiple disabilities I'm surprised you'd be bothered about people knowing you have Asperger's syndrome. Having cerebral palsy is enough of a stigma in and of itself, something like Asperger's doesn't really bare comparison in terms of the discrimination faced from having it, and obviously you can't disguise CP. Chances are no matter what information people have on you, a lot of them will be afraid and suspicious of you or prejudiced against you for being so different, so it's probably worth embracing and being proud of your differences or people will, to put it bluntly, piss all over you. Piss on their pity and be proud of yourself.

I get that.

No chance. Never. Its a step away from having to wear an armband.

you've been detained by the police? i've been questioned a few times and once i had an awkward ride home in a police car, but i've never been detained. i'd be terrified if that happened.

i keep thinking about getting some cards but i'd probably have to get them printed myself so that they explain my particular difficulties. i'm fed up with people accusing me of being on drugs. it would probably help if they mentioned my motor tic disorder, too.

either that, or i'll have the word "CAUTION!" tattooed on my forehead!

Where do You get one of these cards?

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=522&a=6233

Go to the above webpage, and you can add cards to your shopping basket and then order them online.



LOL. Well, it wouldn't make much difference to how unenlightened people perceive you, anyway.

You and I could be partners pulling out our Autism Alert cards and investigating social scenes. "What in the name of the laws of the universe is all this socialising malarkey about?"

yay! we could be the mulder and scully of the social world! we can call it "the NT files." the truth is out there.....

This would be great! We'll have to put in on the air after we found the Aspie Cable Channel, or "ACC!"

I can see it now: "ACC! Programming for the emotionally inhibited..."

They would play a lot of Anime.

I got one of those from the Berkshire Autistic society.

I'm from the U.S. and have never seen or heard of one of these cards, but they sound like a good idea. Not as a label, just something to show people in an emergency situation.

I'm British, though I no longer live in the UK. I got a card like that right after getting my diagnosis. I carry it in my wallet and it reads,

"I am autistic. My disability impairs my ability to communicate and cope with sensory input. As a result I may have difficulty understanding directions and may not be able to respond to questions. I may exhibit unusual behavior. I may become agitated if you touch me or move too close to me. Please do not interpret my behavior as refusal to cooperate. I am not intentionally defying your instructions.

(over)

Please contact the person below. He/she can confirm my diagnosis, provide information about my identity, and advocate on my behalf."

and underneath I have my mother's phone number. It makes me feel safer knowing it's there if I ever need it.