Help designing an Asperger's card, what would you put on it?

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Perhaps, but being weird is a lot better than being kept in jail overnight for suspicious behaviour that was really just stress stimming or lack of eye-contact. I'd heard of these autism cards before but never really thought much of them. The idea of using them for police never occurred to me but is a very good idea. Once I get officially diagnosed, I might look into keeping one in my wallet just in case (probably be more useful once I learn to drive, but you never know!)

On mine, I would like

And I think it's fine to carry a card if self-diagnosed, as I am.

(I am self-diagnosed but do not yet carry a card.)

PS I'll be happy to talk about how I think DSM-4 is no great shakes. And also how many of us, myself included, have had pretty unhelpful experiences with so-called "mental health professionals" (cough, cough).

I think keep it simple and straightforward, with maybe all the information the police officer needs on one side.

And the fact that most of it is printed and the contact information is written by hand, that’s good. That is an attention getter, and it makes it more likely the police officer will read it.

And I think, keep it immediately behind your driver’s license so you can hand both to the police officer at the same time.

I would put #2 after #4, otherwise I'm seriously thinking of using this, just in case.

Okay, I've made modifications. I've looked at what will fit on the size card I want to make and still be large enough print to read. I decided immediate stuff that could apply to many of us should go on the outside, so it will be good for general use by anyone wanting to print one out from my site. It will fold like a map, so the inside will open to two things that give more info for someone with the time to read it or a first responder of whatever sort needing to know more detailed information. The fan folds up and then folds in half. That way, people can print it on ordinary paper and fit it into an ID window in their wallet. Everything is on one side of the paper until it gets folded up, so nobody will have to worry about printing in duplex and making the back come out exactly behind the front. That being said, I will likely go with this:

===

(on side one)
I AM ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM.
I have Asperger's syndrome.
Please speak clearly and concisely. Please do not touch me unless it is necessary or I initiate it.
* I may have difficulty with social communication.
* I may sometimes become anxious or confused.
* I may have some difficulty with eye contact.
* I may behave in unusual or unexpected ways.
I am covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/
Please see reverse for personal information.

(on side two)
MY NAME IS:
Contact #1:
Phone:
Contact #2:
Phone:
I was diagnosed at/by:
Address:
Phone:
Please reverse / unfold for important information.

(on the inside, left)
The Autism Spectrum involves a range of neurological conditions considered "pervasive developmental disorders". These include classic, or Kanner, autism; Asperger's syndrome; PDD-NOS; and others. Common characteristics are social communication and social interraction difficulties, as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. A person on the spectrum can also be unusually sensitive or insensitive to sensory stimuli.
Being on the spectrum is lifelong. It affects everyday life. It is not the person's fault. Associated behaviors are not deliberate or intentional. It does not cause inherent criminality.

(on the inside, right)
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. Here is some additional information that might help.
Special issues / accommodation needs:

Other relevant health concerns:

Card design available from (The name of my Website will go here.)
http:// (The address of my site will go here.)

===

I wrote the first part inside for people who are really uninformed about autism, so they could get a brief explanation. It's based on both the new DSM description and stuff from Websites that are for the public, so it should stay reasonably current and also be easy for the average person to understand and at least somewhat reassuring - I tried to soften the language in order to make it less clinical and more friendly.

The part I'm not sure about, because I don't know how the wording will be perceived, is where it goes, "It does not cause inherent criminality." Does that sound okay for those who've had hassles with the police but also not bad for those who haven't? I put it in because of all the trouble I've heard about from folks here, on Wrong Planet. I wanted the statement to be brief but clear.

On these cards, if people want to hand write in their personal info, that's fine. If they don't want the inside stuff and would prefer to just have what's on the outside, they can trim it that way, and I'm okay with it. They can also open the image in a graphics program and type in their personal info. I want people to be comfortable modifying that way, so they can have the card that works best for them.

I will probably not have my site ready to launch in the week or so before I'm otherwise occupied for about 1.5 - 2 weeks. After that, though, I hope to be able to get this thing up and running in a reasonable amount of time.

I also agree with OJani about that one change of the order. Otherwise, that's a great idea, too, for those who want something very simple. As I said before, I'll want to eventually be able to link to more examples of cards, so people have as many choices as they like. If anyone puts up a card on their site, please post in this thread to give the location. Thanks!

I'm glad you like it. And I can see wanting to put #2 after #4. I myself kind of like it the way it is. And I like the part of saying "and processing issues." By giving this second example, I am (briefly) elaborating on sensory issues and hopefully increasing the probability that someone will understand what that is.

And it's quite alright if people have different preferences about order or phrasing. It's good to have a variety of different cards where people can make their own choice, or choose not to carry a card if that is their personal choice.

Honest to gosh, I think that's just too much to give to a police officer who's trying to go quickly.

I will put:-

''I will not bite''

"please do not touch me. it might trigger a panic attack."

I agree in some cases. But a police officer in an emergency situation might not need the inside part right away. I'd hope they'd had enough training to get what the outside is telling them. That's why the extra stuff is inside. That part is for anyone who needs to take more time with you anyway (at a hospital, for example, where they're supposed to gather more info and might need the personalized stuff) or for someone you want to explain more to but can't find the words or ability to speak to in the moment, when you might feel on the spot. It would probably be your average person in that case, out on the street. It might also help a friend or family member that you want to explain things to, if you struggle with how to put it.

If cops needs more, they'll take the time and trouble to unfold the paper, because that's the nature of the particular situation - they're going to some trouble with you already. But anyone who feels that it over-complicates things can trim that part off and not use it. That's easy enough with this design.

Oh, and I forgot to add the part about processing issues that I've got at the end of the explanation part. It's in there now.

I have wanted a proper card for this for ages but have just gotten the next best thing - a MedicAlert bracelet that says "Autism - Communication Difficulties" on it plus a small card that I have in my wallet. The card lists my conditions and all the medications I take as well as emergency contacts.

Agree.

Another aspect of such a card is to be an aid for you when you are in a foreign country and you are being in trouble. I'm going to a foreign country in September (England, that is) and I'm sure the trip will take up most of my limited resources, socialization and communication wise. So, I can easily imagine myself in situations when I might be exhausted, overwhelmed, or overloaded, running out of my energy. Such a card would prove beneficial if I'd find myself facing some official personnel, confused, unable to express myself in my second language properly.

OJani, if you end up relying on your card, please post in this thread to say how it went. Thanks! Good luck on your trip in September!

Didn't mean to abandon thread. Wow everyone's been busy. Great suggestions.

This project has been on hold while I deal with life stuff. I'll get back to it eventually and post the results.