Autism Driver's license

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When is it appropriate to get an Autism Driver's license? My cousin who is a social worker recommended I request a driver's license that says I'm language impaired. For the most part I am not very severe. Of course I do tend to crack in stressful situations. But mostly I've been pretty good with handling officers and making sure situations don't escalate. I am from Texas and I use my southern charm to appease them by flaunting the words they love such as "Yes sir." and "Yes ma'am." "I apologize officer it won't happen again. I promise!"

But I was wrongfully put in handcuffs once when I was leaving walmart one of the secret shoppers accused me of stealing but I stole nothing and he tried to take my purse and I got scared and started screaming at him believing he was a random stranger trying to mug me. And they wouldn't let me leave the store and I had a complete melt down and the officer put me in cuffs so tight that my hands blistered.

That is one experience that still haunts me to this day. I don't even like to talk about it. Is it only appropriate to ask for an Autism Driver's license if you are very severe on the scale? I would like to know.

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For me...

If I am REALLY REALLY out about my ASD, what the hell, can't hurt. This means everyone knows you are autistic.

My problem with the card, is drivers' licenses are used as photo ID to get jobs, to sign your kids out of school...I wind up showing mine alot. I assume language impaired is displayed fairly large on the license.

I would not want everyone and the dog asking about what the language impaired means. It's one thing to have had a stroke, and your face is half paralyzed. The disability shows.

I guess it's up to you if you don't mind explaining the card to random people, and dealing with the questions.

ETA: about your store aituation. I doubt the card would have mattered in you initial getting manhandle. It might have matter if the cop looked in your wallet for ID. It's a step above the printed out cards stating you have Autism, because anyone can print those out. At least the DL is considered an official document.

I don't know about the driver's license, but you can get wallet cards or emergency info on your phone lock screen that specifies your autism difficulties and lets emergency personnel know why you may be screaming your head off or else completely unresponsive. I go this route, in case of shutdown. Couple that with a medical alert wristband and people would have to be stupid not to understand there is a legitimate reason for your behaviour.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I've ultimately chosen not to pursue this unless a doctor recommends it. I spoke with my sister who has a very level head about most things and she recommended against it unless it's absolutely necessary. She said that she felt I handled situations with police officers well and unless something develops to simply leave it be.

I have never had anything noted on my license but I have kept a note from my doctor in my glove box. It has NEVER helped me and each time the officer accuses me of forging the note from the doctor. I get arrested and I ask that they make a copy of the note to put in their report so when my court day comes the judge can see it too. They have never done this probably because they believe I am lying. I try to explain as the roadside what is going on but the cop never wants to understand.

This all happens because they believe I am drinking and driving. They don't think I can keep my balance or make contact like I should. But the note covers all that I have real neurological issues besides the autism. When I brought my own copy to court the state's lawyer argued that I am clearly unfit to drive. I am admitting a disability myself and obviously I was behaving in a way that alerting a police officer who is trained to look for unsafe drivers. The fact that I did pass the tests everyone has to in order to drive means nothing.

Like many other areas it's best not to say anything about autism. Also I am in America so our police in general are often not very understanding and a drunk driving charge does not require more then their opinion it is occurring. Yes, in theory there are blood tests and things like that but I passed all those and the court still tried to charge me.

I wonder if a European officer would listen more as long as I was not speeding and did not smell like beer or something like that.

I don't think there is such a thing in New York State.

I'm sorry you had to go through that in Walmart. What's a "secret shopper?"

Every big store has security guards, known as "loss prevention specialists" or something like that.

I sense that Texas, with the possible exception of Austin, is not an especially inviting place for autism. Walmart, too.