What kind of Button / Badge would you wear or display?

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SarasDad, you might want to take out the puzzle pieces. Puzzle pieces are used by Autism Speaks, which most autistics don't like.

Well none preferably. I don't really want to advertise the fact I'm on the spectrum. I want to maintain what little street cred I have.

I tookout disabilityand and put in autism, the button now reads -

Treat me like the person I am and not like the Autism you don't understand

If you look at it as a tool and not as a lable, it could be easier. for example if a person needs to carry a phone 24/7 to support thier, that person may get and dislike the phone. but if you look at a cell phone as a tool that now ets that person move around the world and still be reachable then it...then its a good thing and gives him freedom.

a button, shirt, or bumper sticker is not for everyone...but it could be any if the time was right. If you could think of one time when something like this could have help you then its done its job.

Also your parents arent always as strong as they look, and a tool to help send a message could be just what they need.

If your parent is wearing a button or displaying bumper sticker, why not get them to promote a positive message that means something to you. instead on something that someone told her she should wear...

Again I would say, if Sarah would talk more, I would love to hear hear message and I would wear it with pride.

If you think of a button as a mini billboard - then also think of it as a way to speak your mind without saying a word.

I can do that, the sad thing is the puzzle piece has been around much longer then Autism Speaks, and along the same lines, I had someone from Autism Speaks tell me that at their events no one can sell anything with multi color puzzle pieces, including the ribbon because it represents another origination...

I would think that people with older family members would be should be upset. Autism Speaks is not the owner of the puzzle piece, they only have rights to a logo and that’s all

And no one owns the autism ribbon, just like no one owns the yellow ribbon or the pink ribbon.

If you let them think they do then you fall into their rules...we are the people, we are the voice of our children, our family members and are friends. And if you have Autism and you can speak...then you are the voice. Don't let anyone take that away from you.

What other organization does the puzzle piece represent?

Because Autism Speaks used the puzzle piece, it now has a negative meaning attached to it. That's why I suggest to take it out. I might make some autistics uneasy, like me.

I believe if you look back about 10 years you'll see that ASA tried to put a copyright on the ribbon, but they can only copyright a logo, just like "I heart NY, if you were able to copyright it no one could say the words without paying a fee.....this next part is cut from an email sent to me.

Also, the merchandise must be relevant to autism and must not be representative of other organizations. I noticed on your website that you have items with the ASA's autism awareness ribbon (see below). We would not be able to have you selling those items since they are representing a different organization than

Well the fact is the ribbon I sell is made ad has a copyright other then ASA, if you check out the ASA website, they sell a ribbon with a blue strip with writing...

But to also answer your question a lot of people offering services to people in the spectrum use the some form of the puzzle or ribbon to help identify themselves to others.

But again it only represents what you let it; again I would ask not to let others speak for you unless that is what you want.
If you give them the puzzle, what will you give them next

I am mild enough on the spectrum, that at times, i can pass off as NT, such as job interviews and working.But if I am in a prolonged situation, it gets noticed.

I currently don't want to be wearing any distinguishing insignia since I have never disclosed my ASD to anyone including employers.Many employers tend to discriminate against aspies and if I disclose, I could lose my job.I am performing well and considered one of the best, but the negative attitudes by many could cause grief.Maybe once I am finsihed college and am working in a lawfirm, I will be in a better position to possibly wear a ribbon or lapel pin on my suit jacket.

I think that if that works for you its great... I don't wear a button everyday, some places they just don't fit in. The winter is the best because I can put it on my jacket.

I really wanted to know what types of messages you would want to promote or have others promote in your behalf.

I want to thank eveyone who has given me feed back so far...

I realy like the idea of a button for my nonverbal son the older he gets the more misunderstandings happen. My husband and I have been followed by rent a cops trying to put Jake in a car durring a meltdown and asked to leave a target don't ask it was a bad idea to take him there. Trying to pull out a card isn't always something that can be done. The med ID can't be seen very well unless you touch him and I can't see that being a good idea if he's upset. I'd have to run them past Jake before I put it on him he picks out most of his own t'shirts now and has been showing me what he wants to dress as for halloween for years so just sticking any old thing on him wouldn't fly. He's a fashion Diva as much as a 9yr old tough guy in a superman shirt can be lol.

Having the tools you need before going into the store may help…I know someone that has a cardboard sign made up of two stickers “proud parent of a child with Autism” and WARNING Occupant with Autism may not respond to verbal commands” Occupant is crossed out.

This sign is put on the front of a shopping cart when they go into a store…I’m told it helps a lot.

I’m not sure a button is always going to help in your situation; you still need to get into someone’s personal space to read it for the most part. But you have every right to shop at Target as anyone. I would just suggest you prepare yourself before entering the store…

Have the cards ready, talk to the rent a cop before they come looking for you, talk to Jake and explain to him what appropriate behavior is (can’t hurt)
You can get a button if you want, but I might also suggest a badge (plastic card), with a clip instead of a pin. The badge can be worn, added to a lanyard or remove the clip and carry it in his wallet.

Thanks

I'm another who really finds the who jigsaw puzzle idea quite uncomfortable.

Do we not fit? Are we still some sort of impossible puzzle? Or is it that we're actually missing bits?

(In any case - I prefer the jigsaw puzzles with more variable shaped pieces.)

From the ASA website:
The Autism Awareness Ribbon - The puzzle pattern reflects the mystery and complexity of the autism spectrum. The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of the people and families living with the condition. The brightness of the ribbon signals hope—hope that through increased awareness of autism, and through early intervention and appropriate treatments, people with autism will lead fuller, more complete lives.

Looking at this as a reference to me its saying...

The pattern - no one really understands what autism is, what causes it or how to treat it. some people with autism would say hey I don't need to be cured leave me alone...but all not everyone with autism is so lucky and need our help.

the colors - rich, poor, white, black, boy, girl, straight, gay, tall, short, fat, skinny,... you can not hide autism will find us all...

The brightness - hope, working together, being one voice, your voice, my voice...some originations are trying to be the only voice...every cause needs to have a symbol that unites all people from all canners of the world...the original ribbon was introduces to us caring people with you in mind, people from all over the world recognize it....

Okay, but the ASA ribbon has a lot of puzzle pieces interlocking. Your button had two pieces by themselves, which is more like the Autism Speaks symbol - a single puzzle piece.
I'm not trying to argue with you or make you angry. I'm just trying to tell you how autistics might react/think/feel to/about the button.

if necessary you can get a medical bracelet made. It is the first thing someone is supposed to look at if there is a problem (emergency, meaning police, nurses, or rescue personnel). This is particular to diabetics, people with seizures, or food/medication/insect allergies.

necklaces are hard to find sometimes, particularly when they are on guys because they are not expected. The only reason that dogtags work is because in the military, that is what everyone looks for (and while you can have an arm torn off, your neck is a little different). Pins or stickers are also similar in that they can be easily covered up or overlooked (particularly if clothing must be removed-like a jacket).

the bonus of a medical bracelet it that it states rather clearly that the person wearing it has a medical condition (but not necessarily what condition) and it has an id number, but not a name. You call the number on the bracelet and then they would notify you. No speaking necessary, and it can prevent miscommunications.

example
http://www.suite101.com/blog/mommymelli ... _bracelets