In East Anglia, in England, there is a scheme where anyone with ASD of any kind can apply for a card from an organisation which works with the Police and Emergency Services. The card explains that you have autism and that, should you be in custody, or in hospital or need to access emergency services, that you may present differently and may need the help of an appropriate adult. It's called and Autism Alert Card and I have one and have found it very helpful.
Normally I cope very well, work in a responsible job, own my own flat and bring up my son. But at the times when I've been ill enough to need the hospital, or been assautled and needed the police I find I am much less able to cope and hold it together. By giving people at the hospital my card I can explain what's wrong better even when I'm not managing at all. I think this is because once they've seen the card they know I'm going to present a little oddly and don't make assumptions about how I'm behaving. It's the same with the police. Police officers around here are generally quite friendly but, because they deal with a lot of liars and thieves, they respond to someone who presents a little oddly like they're up to no good. I used to ride a big motorcycle (Kawasak 750 GPZ). I was still a primary school teacher but one that rode a bike. Because I was a bit odd in the way I spoke they would always go over every inch of my bike to try to find something illegal and be very rude and treat me in a cross way as if I'd done something wrong. They also would make me produce my papers at the station every few weeks. Now I've got the card, they read it, ask me some basic questions they'd ask anyone and let me go on my way. I don't get any of the anger and sarcasm I used to get from them. (The sarcasm was particularly hard to deal with as I only knew it was sarcasm when I told someone else about it later by which time it was too late and I'd already said something stupid.)
Anyway, if anyone's interested in the scheme and thinking it might be useful in their area here's a link to the website...https://www.autism-anglia.org.uk/alert-card(PS: Only people with a formal diagnosis can get a card - they have to have proof from a relevant medical professional before you get a card issued.)
That's a more palatable method, I think. The person has the decision to request such a card, and once they have it, has the decision whether to present it or not. The problem with having a list is it could all be done without an individual's knowledge and consent, and the information used without individual consent.
06 Dec 2018, 7:01 am
