Ever Used an Autism Alert Card?

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If you've used an autism alert card when dealing with officials, the general public, or someone you already knew, what was your experience, and did the card help? Also, where did you get your card? I'm asking because of this thread. Thanks for the replies!

I do not think I would ever use one of these things. It is hard enough on me to even think about ASD, let alone tell anyone who will automatically assume I am lying . . . not to mention id be embarrassed. I think I would rather get arrested!

I know that if I used this my mom would think that I am making up excuses.. She was there during my diagnosis and everything and still believes this.

Where do I get this card because I'd like to have one?

Just in case.........

If I get an official Dx I think I would keep a card in my wallet for police.
There have been a couple times where an officer thought I was acting suspicious. He commented that I didn't make eye contact. I was just VERY nervous because I got pulled over for the first time. He decided to search my car because he thought I was hiding something illegal. Cops make me nervous in any situation.

This was long before I had even heard of AS.

Yes, I carry one with me at all times. I also wear a medical alert bracelet as a condition for driving. I wrote a cgi program for creating it. It can be found by clicking here.

Cyberscan, I'd like to make a link to your form when I'm back on my computer in a couple of weeks. Is that okay? I have a new page up with card resources. I just made it the other day. It's in relation to the thread I posted a link to at the beginning of this thread. I made it so people can make choices from amongst the various designs out there. Also, if people want to make their own, they can go to the other thread for ideas, in case they aren't sure what they want to put on a card.

My new page is part of a mostly undeveloped site, but this page is up and running already: Available ASD Alert Card Options

I'm still wondering what people's experiences have been with actually using their cards. Good? Bad? What happened? How much does it really help?

I haven't carried one because I haven't found a good one that describes shutdowns and sensory issues on the same card. They focus a lot on meltdowns. Meltdowns being mentioned is good too, but shutdowns and sensory issues being mentioned is necessary.

I'd also love being able to get one already in card form, me not needing to make it or print it or such. I don't want to have to self-laminate it to have it laminated.

If there was somewhere I could buy one premade (or custom made), plastic (like credit card material), with either of a few different ones of the ideas from the other threads I'd buy one. There have been situations I'd have used them. I do wear a puzzle piece necklace (sometimes at least - more often than any other jewelry).

I have one that I made with general information like my name and what I'm diagnosed with on one side, then the other side lists some positives and difficulties followed by "Please be patient, I'm doing the best I can," that if I'm calm enough, or if someone else who knows enough about ASD (including asperger's, the people are free to ask questions. I've used one once when I had a fairly loud meltdown because of a pharmacist, her assistant, my sisters doctor, and a mistake made.. So after I called my Mum and she calmed me down, I went away from the pharmacy for a bit and when I got back they had gotten a hold of the doctor and things were fixed, so I apologized for my behaviour and gave them one of my cards. They thanked me and said it was alright, that I wasn't their first customer to get upset.


My sister who is more autistic than I am also has her own. We haven't used them yet, but they'll coem in handy one day I'm sure.

I've now posted about my new card and my test run of it in this thread.

On my London trip I carried this simple card with me (I promised I'll share my experience Here):



I was worrying a bit that I might lose my ability to communicate with people (English is not my first language) in overload or when exhausted. I didn't have to use it during my stay though, as I could manage communication at a fairly acceptable level at all time.

I have one from the NAS. I carry a couple in my wallet but have never had to use it yet. I doubt I will, but it doesn't bother me to carry them in case. I can also use them for the children I work with if we're out in public. We sometimes get strange looks or members of the public making comments or complaints about their behaviour.

I'm going to make my own with some additional/more personal information.

OJani, what a great idea: an international travel alert card. Would it be okay with you if I include it at my Website? If so, do you want to be credited as OJani or by some other name? If it's all right, I'd copy the image and make it downloadable for free, for those who might find it useful to carry when they travel. If you want to put it at a Website of your own, I'd be glad to link to it from my site. My thought is to make the area for nationality be blank, so the card holder can fill it in.

Also, mljt, if you design a card, would you post it so we can see it? Or will your design be too personalized to apply to others?

I used one when I had sensory overload traveling abroad once.

It worked really well. The group I was with already knew of my issues, and they were understanding and helpful.

I have a card in my wallet and have used it. And I have a medical alert bracelet. And a big yellow bracelet that says "Non Verbal"