New Jersey: Autism Symbol on Drivers License Option Proposed

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It should be noted that this would be purely voluntary and never mandatory.

New Jersey Lawmakers Propose Option Of Putting Symbol On Driver’s Licenses To Denote Autism
November 5, 2020

STEWARTSVILLE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — There is a push in New Jersey to allow people living with autism or a communication disability to voluntarily add a special marking to their driver’s licenses.

This could eliminate potentially dangerous misunderstandings during traffic stops and other encounters with police officers, CBS2’s Dave Carlin reported Thursday.

Will Milazzo is on the autistic spectrum. The 23-year-old is in college, plays hockey, and has a part-time data entry job.

About a year ago he got his driver’s license.

He has never been pulled over by police, but he’s confident he’d tell an officer about his autism.

“I prefer to just inform them,” Milazzo said.
Some New Jersey lawmakers want to give Milazzo and others like him the option of putting a symbol at in the bottom of their driver’s licenses to indicate autism, a voluntary addition that could clear up potential communication problems during traffic stops.

Milazzo’s mother, Kelly, said she’d never push her son to do it, but she likes the concept.

“What if he got pulled over? Kelly Milazzo said. “His way of processing could be absolutely misinterpreted as aggressive or noncompliant and that could go bad very quickly.”

“They may not be communicating. They may be communicating too much. They may have a heightened stress response,” said Dr. Suzanne Buchanan of Autism New Jersey.

Buchanan said a variation of this is working in a handful of other states, but for privacy reasons added it should never be mandatory.

Read in Full:
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/11/05/autism-drivers-licenses-new-jersey-autistic-spectrum/

My neighbor called the police on me, and told the police I am ret*d.

The police officer asked me like ten times if I was ret*d, which I never answered.

I'm surprised the police actually even knocked on your door over that, unless your neighbour was reporting you for a particular wrongdoing. Sorry to hear you have neighbours who would report you for being "different neurologically" rather than treat you with respect and support.

You had every right to not disclose your diagnosis. This is your business and yours alone.

My neighbor doesn't like my dog being walked by his house.

He made up a lie that my dog attacked him.

I did not get a ticket or arrested.

My neighbor got upset that I took pictures of her car after she had parked it halfway across the entrance to my driveway.  She came over, pounded on the door, and said she was calling the cops on me for violating her privacy.  I basically laughed in her face and told her to go ahead (e.g., I called her bluff).  I have no idea what the police told her.  The next morning, the City came out and painted the curb red next to my driveway (an act that had been previously scheduled due to commercial truckers using my street as a parking lot).  Now she parks her car two houses down and on the other side of the street.

Life is good.

Perhaps we should all sew pink triangles on our shirts and never travel anywhere alone.

It's an interesting idea, but of course those who support such an idea like this will face backlash.

Sounds to me like something which could help.
I'd get that on my license.
Expecting Police to be genius psychics who 'just know' when people are autistic is unrealistic.

I can imagine getting pulled over for a traffic violation...

Whispered: "Hey! This one's autistic! Says so right here. Wanna have some fun? Maybe make him wet himself?"

In that case I'm all for it!

Lovely neighbour you have there! I had never had a dog before, until a homeless dog adopted “me” while I was on the island of Crete 4 years ago. Just the physical act of getting out in the neighbourhood each day and walking him has been life changing. The neighbours in my village are incredibly caring and friendly, especially when it comes to dogs. They give him a treat at the garden gate if they see us out in the yard, and will call in for a chat and a cup of tea(pre-covid). I’ve made some lovely friends thanks to having a pup! Very sorry that this particular neighbour is missing out on what could be a lovely opportunity for friendly acqaintance rather than hostile.

Yes ... there’ll always be good and bad cops. I personally wouldn’t disclose, but it “might” make a difference for some. Some of us are working in the police department as Officers and Detectives.