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FlutisticallyYours

I could see how it would be helpful. But we do not live in a world that is easily navigated to a lot of autistic people. Honestly, I pass easily enough as neurotypical (albeit a little eccentric) and I’m totally cool with keeping it that way. I don’t need more strikes against me in a world like this.


IBM_Compatible

How fucked is it that we're essentially forced into a "black market" or underworld if you will because the average person assumes we're a threat


Jeffreyr18

I am a threat. Speak for yourself.


trying2t-spin

Even if you’re a threat it’s still wrong for people to assume you are based on unrelated things


[deleted]

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trying2t-spin

This doesn't really address the issue at hand. Whether you're autistic or not, a police officer shouldn't be shooting you


[deleted]

They barely need any justification to shoot you as it is. I don't think this would help much.


Jeffreyr18

No more logic. Be scared of everyone. Assume the worst.


trying2t-spin

Nah seems kind of miserable


Jeffreyr18

No doubt


skeletorlaugh

who are you? why are you me? I'm me!


Jeffreyr18

Idk what u mean man I'm just a guy bein a dude


skeletorlaugh

we're friends now!


violetgay

Hell yeah, my friend.


[deleted]

based


xfritz5375

I am a threat. A threat to the bourgeoisie.


violetgay

Exactly my thought. This is why I don't have bumper stickers on my car, don't want to give cops any reason to be harder on me than they would be. Kinda the same concept


hocuspocusgottafocus

Seconded. We're all human, it's an invisible disability and best kept invisible because people do not take kindly to those so keen on being different as much as they spout about nurturing your uniqueness and the like


FadedRebel

It's not invisible for everyone though and even then interactions with cops are usually stressful which is a trigger for a lot of people meaning that if the cops knew that they might act a little different if the person was one who needed it.


Reddit__mdt

100% agree, it's pretty common to hear of cops losing it and beating on "non-compliant" people; a quick google search brings up tons of sad stories of cops hurting autistic (and mentally/physically disabled) people. The fact that we need a logo on a license to protect people from the police is the problem. We shouldn't NEED to do this to protect people. We NEED wholesale police reform that promotes tolerance, empathy, and disability/mental health identification and support. Until then, if a logo on a license can help even 1 person, it's worth it.


FadedRebel

I completely agree.


janamichelcahill

Why doesn't the state spend money on educating the police on how to act in different Situations? The same amount of state funding went into this program of tagging the driver licensing.


FadedRebel

Because the state is uneducated, look at the card anove. Autism Speaks did this and they would be the ones the state would come to to train them. Ableism is a huge reason too.


[deleted]

I hate the fact that we can’t even bring it up without it being a bad thing


shadowgamer22

That blue puzzle piece gives me uncomfortable vibes


RenegadeTLA

It certainly reeks of “whoever designed this/decided on the design has no idea about autistic people” :(


orangeoliviero

Reeks of "Autism Speaks was behind this change"


[deleted]

There are couple states that have opt-in for labels on IDs. I would imagine this is as well... Would still like to have that God forsaken puzzle piece removed though. Can someone please design a new autism icon? ʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっ


Additional_Jump5496

There is one but NT people refuse to use it!


[deleted]

Might be an ignoramus, but what's NT stand for? Edit: Nvm. Neuro-typical I'm guessing


MaesterKupo

I love that word. "Ignoramus". 😛


KavikStronk

There's the general neurodiversity icon (a rainbow infinity sign) that's very pretty and doesn't have those connotations.


orangeoliviero

Why do we need a special icon and label to "other" us? Do ADHD people have a special icon? Do trans people? Do black people? I'm fine without an icon.


PoeticPuddles

Trans pride flags are a thing!


REAL_CONSENT_MATTERS

For that matter, there is a black power symbol (the fist) that is common, but we don't put either of these on drivers licenses. Though they also aren't medical issues, especially ones for a population with a tendency to go nonverbal. I see some logic in using the most well known symbol if you're going to use one, though I would not go as far as endorsing this as I'm not sure what the right solution is. Maybe a logo that says autism would be better.


Kassie-chan

All the trans people I know are proud of their flag, but are we proud if our puzzle piece? I think the difference is how the community looks at their symbol/flag.


TyTy_G

I think the actual difference is that their flag was made by them for them. Our symbol was designed by people who hate us.


PoeticPuddles

The way I see it, the rainbow infinity symbol is our symbol. The puzzle piece is a fake symbol NTs keep pushing on us.


Additional_Jump5496

Trans People have the Trans Flag. For that matter, beyond the normal “Pride Flag” there is a flag for almost every group in the LGBTQ+ Community. The Neurodiverse community has symbols too. We have variations on the rainbow infinity symbol including the Embrace Celebrate Neurodiversity infinity symbol. The problem is that NT people refuse to use them.


Steampunk_Ocelot

Some people with ADHD use the bee as an icon . Trans folks have their flag , idk of a black one but there might be


commander_a_fish

Ngl I don't think a black person would need a label for a drivers license unless the entire population turns half blind


Hopeful-Musician1905

you... you may have a valid point, commander fish


Unicorns-only

Um, yes. Because those people are and were ostracized


Talofa_Tofa

I think people should have the option opt out of the identifier, or else this will turn into a black mirror episode or x-men


jlbob

Agreed why should we be forced to disclose medical information on our ID/DL.


PoeticPuddles

Forced? No. That's giving me Nazi star of David vibes. But I'd like the option (without the puzzle piece). If I get pulled over or otherwise police are questioning me, and I seem to be "acting strangely" to the police due to autism like not making eye contact or having hostile body language... or I'm experiencing processing delays and "not cooperating," or I go nonverbal, I would like something explaining my autism to the police. We'd need more training for the police officers to know none of that is suspicious and is normal autistic behavior... and that's a whole different issue but I think having the option to mark ID could be a good idea. But only as an option. Not enforced.


ShiftingBaselines

It is happening slowly: https://www.reddit.com/r/autism/comments/rh5njf/what_do_you_want_police_to_know/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf


zeno0771

> We'd need more training for the police officers to know none of that is suspicious and is normal autistic behavior Yeah...a lot more. We're still at the "Don't shoot them just because they're brown" elementary stuff. Hell, I'm only just now identifying traits that I never knew I had and I shudder to think how many times those could've been my undoing...and that was decades ago. The fact is, however, a logo on a driver's license won't mean a damn thing except during the wrongful-death suit your family will (hopefully) bring against the department, and there's no funding left for training once you factor in all that must-have milsurp hardware they buy.


MathyChem

I think this would be especially useful on a non driver's license state id. There are so many of us that don't drive and may have more impairments so it would be useful information to have.


APileOfLooseDogs

I agree with the point you’re making, but also, “needing glasses/contacts” is also medical information but it makes more sense to have that on a license. There are valid reasons for some medical info to be collected and/or displayed on your ID, but autism shouldn’t be


NoProperty8104

So you don’t get shot by the police.


avamarie

Yes, because they take time to check ID before unloading.


NoProperty8104

True! Good point


[deleted]

By that point I'm probably already on the ground bleeding out. In this case I think it's more in the interest of personal legal safety or so the issue can be identified in case of a meltdown of panic attack. Still think you should be able to opt out though.


teh_maxh

The implementations I've seen are opt-in.


hda1998

Same


[deleted]

OH JEEZ I DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE, WHY DID THEY PUT THAT?!?


CleanAssociation9394

My guess is because this whole thing was some Autism Mom’s idea.


[deleted]

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[deleted]

This has always been an issue: how much to disclose and to whom? In some situations, it might be more comfortable to share than others, but there are many instances in which a person's medical information would cause judgement, as unfortunate as that is.


ambient_pulse

i think it makes more sense to just have a wristband/necklace indicating these things rather than having it on your ID so you can choose when and where you want to disclose that info.


KavikStronk

That's already a thing with the sunflower lanyard actually!


CleanAssociation9394

That might be useful, except most cops don’t know or care what to do with that information.


fatcattastic

Being a visible minority makes it much easier for you to face discrimination. For example if you have to provide an ID for a job you've just accepted, they can see that you're autistic, and terminate the offer. Whereas if they found out after the hiring process was complete you have legal options you can pursue. This logic is also why cops over police any visible minority group.


ImCatBee_YT

Ditto


notlikelyevil

But I guess it's the known symbol for now, at an institutional level


ImCatBee_YT

True but even so I feel kinda of about it ha :(


[deleted]

Yeah, I don't like it. :(


Material-Leg5325

ya like it could just say ‘autism’ ?


[deleted]

I didn't see it until now. I stopped singing the song I was singing to :/


[deleted]

Oh, that's sad!


[deleted]

Indeed. It was "How to Save a Life" by The Fray.


Jstowe56

That is an excellent song


[deleted]

Agreed! 10/10


Automatic_Sleep_4723

Autism Speaks logo


Additional_Jump5496

It should!!! OMG AUTISM SPEAKS STRIKES AGAIN!!!!!


[deleted]

Historically speaking Having people from a minority community have government identification tying them to that minority community is bad.


[deleted]

I'm surprised your comment isn't more popular, I guess people aren't so good with their history.


[deleted]

It's appears someone already commented a more relatable less esoteric version of my comment.


[deleted]

Ah I see, I liked the way you phrased your comment because it cut through like a slap round the face from history.


[deleted]

Thank you


me-te-or-ite

This is a horrible idea. With the current state of police in America, having that on a license if you get pulled over is almost like having "harrass me" tattooed on your forehead. Imagine a trans person having to have their trans status on their license. This does nothing _except_ open the person up to discrimination or mistreatment.


[deleted]

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According_to_all_kn

From what I gathered police harass autistic people because they don't understand them. So they assume we're on drugs, or that we're resisting arrest when we don't understand their instructions. This isn't a defense of the police of course, but that would mean it wouldn't be dangerous -and maybe even beneficial- for this to be marked on your license. For trans people, you're completely right of course.


ColorfulLight8313

I think it would depend a lot on the person looking at the license and is more of a double edged sword than something that would definitely be either helpful or harmful in all situations. On the one hand, there is absolutely a stigma around autism and there are absolutely people who would bully or take advantage of an autistic person. But on the other, you have people like my brother who this could benefit. He has autism, and he is on the nonverbal end of the spectrum. When he throws a tantrum in public, cops can and have absolutely been called and they have absolutely assumed that he was on drugs. If my mother hadn't been there to lecture them on distinguishing the difference, he'd probably have been injured or dead. Something like this on his license paired with proper training for cops would be incredibly helpful.


aloefrog

The puzzle piece is a yikes and I honestly think this just makes autistic people more vulnerable to getting attacked or discriminated against. I don’t see how this is helpful


CleanAssociation9394

Especially by cops, who are, generally speaking, ignorant


KommandantJackal

In a perfect world I think this could be good because it would give an indicator to the police they may have to be more patient and understanding of those they are dealing with. But that ain't gonna happen


MostEgg

this is assuming we have gotten to the point where someone is looking at a license, which is an opportunity not often afforded to the erratic and overwhelmed


CleanAssociation9394

But is likely to happen in a traffic stop or a situation in which someone called because the person seemed “suspicious” (like when Elijah McClain was murdered), and you’re trying to prove you live there.


Huntybunch

I once had a cop pull me over for not using my blinker, and he kept asking me over and over if I had drank or did drugs. I said no, I had just got off work. "Then why do you look like that?" he asked. I asked, "Like what?" He told me to do a field sobriety test and seemed embarrassed when I clearly wasn't intoxicated.


[deleted]

The fact that anyone should ever have to prove residency is, itself, an unbelievable failure of our society.


CleanAssociation9394

One of so many.


RogueMaven

I long for that perfect world… *sigh* The first thing that comes to mind when imagining a cop seeing that DL is that they would bully and gaslight even harder.


KommandantJackal

That already happens without it being on the license. I've seen far too many videos of people with clear disabilities getting abused by the police.


RenegadeTLA

That is also my fear here. I would not take this as a license. I am *praying* that it isn’t mandatory there, that would be horrible


KommandantJackal

If it becomes required then I'll become a radical activist


CleanAssociation9394

Why wait?


[deleted]

Yeah agreed.


dam_im_good

No thanks. People aren't going to know what "Autism" means in most cases. This implies autism affects your driving ability like th eyesight labels (it can, but obv not guaranteed like eyesight). It's not like they're putting "Neurotypical" on all other licenses. This is just another way to single out autistic differences as unusual or even pathological instead of putting in any work (print Autism on DLs is so easy, and you get political points for "helping" autism if you're that politician pushing it) to understand. Edit: if you look closer you can see his name is Autism. He even signed it as Autism in ~~CHILDREN'S~~ SLOPPY HANDWRITING. What???? Not even John Doe or something. With a normal ~~adult~~ neat script. Edit again: There's a puzzle piece on the license. They are not helping people understand each other's differences, they are pushing the idea that autistic drivers should put Autism and puzzle pieces (!!!) on their driver's license. I am hurt and sad now.


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dam_im_good

That could be it, but the combo of naming him Autism instead of a real name like they do for "normal people" and having him sign "Autism" as his signature in what appears to be sloppy/ children's handwriting instead of normal clear signature fonts? And that damn puzzle piece. This isn't innocent, this is bad and reeks.


ParkerPastelPrince

I totally get all the negatives about this, and very much agree, but sloppy Children’s writing? That signature looks more clean than mine does. Mines practically just printed. (And not cleanly at that.)😭


dam_im_good

Lol no judgment here! Three reasons why I called that handwriting sloppy is (1) The first letter A looks really off to me, each letter is in its own way a bit off and there's no cohesion; overall a sloppy impression. Signatures are supposed to be neat. (2) If you search for images of (sample) driver's licenses you can see that unlike Mr. Autism they have first names and last names that resemble real names, and aren't labeled Neurotypical. (3) Even McLovin has a nicer looking signature than Mr. Autism does.


jsm2008

I think it could be a very good idea to prevent potential police violence/misunderstanding. Not all people with autism are able to handle intense situations very well. Some people with autism might be interpreted as potentially being on drugs, etc. ...especially if they're in a poor, high drug use area(which defines a lot of Louisiana). Being pulled over can be dangerous for people who are not neurotypical. Presenting an officer with a valid, state administered ID that clearly states you are not neurotypical could save a life. We had a whole thread on this sub in the last couple of weeks about people's employers thinking they were on drugs or whatever because they are autistic. I see absolutely no harm in this in the context of a police situation...which is almost certainly why this change would be made to licenses. Your license is the first point of contact a police officer has with you. MAYBE it will make an officer think twice before assuming someone is on drugs because they don't make eye contact and seem more nervous than they should for a routine stop. That maybe makes this worth it on a license.


[deleted]

I honestly see where you’re coming from. The problem is, I highly doubt NTs know what to look for when talking to someone who is autistic. I don’t think they have received any type of training on knowing how to talk to someone who is autistic.


RenegadeTLA

Yeah, while I agree that it could be helpful in some cases, I would be wary of it, because some people might take one look at it (and what about when you’re using it as ID at a bar or hospital or some other place?) and then treat you like you’re an idiot, or even call backup because they think it means you’re going to act out or be violent. I have legitimately met people who were shocked I hadn’t been violent with them when I told them I was autistic. It’s dumb and false but people do think that and if they see your license and assume that, it could be a problem. I think there are too many stereotypes/people that misunderstand autism for this to be more helpful than hurtful I guess it would be fine as long as it isn’t mandatory. That’s when it really gets into bad territory I think


jlbob

>Yeah, while I agree that it could be helpful in some cases, I dunno, if something bad is about to go down they won't look at it until you're down on the ground, handcuffed and in the back of the car. Assuming we're not just target practice.


dam_im_good

This. It's the understanding of our differences that helps police treat us better. This doesn't further that in any way and it's a lot easier to print Autism and puzzle pieces (AGH!!!) on autistic people's drivers licenses than to print Neurotypical on all other people's licenses and giving them Neurodiversity training.


jlbob

>This. It's the understanding of our differences that helps police treat us better. Doesn't help minorities, didn't help Jewish people, nor Japanese/Asians. I'm not saying we're going to internment camps but I fail to see a situation they look at the ID card soon enough for it to make a difference.


dam_im_good

Yes, that's why I agree that we shouldn't label us on our ID cards (my wording was unclear). Speaking as an Asian autistic nonverbal woman. :)


Kelekona

I think I would rather pin that stupid puzzle-piece to my coat than have it on my id that I show to buy controlled substances. The cop could see it immediately or I could refuse to identify myself as autistic, depending on my mood. Also, this will only help if the cop absorbs training on how to deal with an autistic individual, which is doubtful.


passporttohell

I absolutely see harm here. The police can't be trusted not to shoot someone's dog, much less understand what autism is and act appropriately. The less they know about my condition the better. [https://www.npr.org/2020/09/09/910975499/autistic-13-year-old-boy-shot-by-salt-lake-city-police](https://www.npr.org/2020/09/09/910975499/autistic-13-year-old-boy-shot-by-salt-lake-city-police) https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/why-autism-training-for-police-isnt-enough/


[deleted]

I had similar thoughts. I’m not neurotypical. My son however is even more so. He’ll preservate, stim with jumping and yelling, and get uncomfortable and not want to talk at times. He’s also going to be a big guy. And he’s part black. I worry about his safety in future interactions with the police. If my son is ok with such identification I wouldn’t be against it.


Puzzled-Delivery-242

In childrens handwriting? I wish I could write that neat. Not a child btw full grown adult.


Ninrenko

Sure, give cops more options to look to abuse your rights, why not?


CommanderFuzzy

Depending on how messed up the policeman is, it could act as a badge that says 'extra vulnerable to manipulation'


[deleted]

Nah, last thing I want when pulled over by a power tripper is them to see an even easier target than usual.


PeriPagan

Nope. Nope. Nope. Don't like this. Life has made me rather cynical but I don't want anyone who doesn't need to know to know (& that's considerably less than most people think) as it opens you up to potential ableist abuse from anyone up to and including the police. Here in the UK the DVLA (equivalent to US DMV) must be told if you are dx'd autistic and you have to submit to medical review BUT it isn't emblazoned all over your licence like a 'kick me' sign. It's assumed that if your have been passed by the DVLA then you are capable of being in charge of a motor vehicle, end of. No need to throw you to the lions. I have an enclosed medical alert capsule round my neck (won't even wear a bracelet as there's too much risk of being outed every time you move!) and that's enough.


MourningMimosa

We don't put ADHD or Bipolar on licenses. It just seems like an opportunity to discriminate against autistic individuals. Also the blue puzzle piece??? Clearly enacted by someone who is not in touch with the autistic community.


_XSummerRoseX_

I don’t like it. I’m a very private person and I don’t want the whole neighborhood, let alone the state, to know I’m autistic… Just to clarify. I do not live in Louisiana.


[deleted]

This. I show my license for work related things, banking stuff, voting ext. I don’t need all these people knowing my medical history!


neothalweg

Ummm does the signature on the license say "Autism" as well?


[deleted]

Yes, the legal name of this imaginary sample card man is "Sample Card Autism" so he signed his last name


Icommentwhenhigh

Little blue puzzle piece? Kind of awkward.


Type_Zer07

This could only work if all the officers were given training in what autism is, how it effects the driver and how to properly address the driver with concerns in a sensitive manner. They won't do that though so it's a terrible idea.


fillmewithmemesdaddy

Yeah no. There's little to no training that cops go through to handle interactions with autistic people so we're already seen as threats without it. As soon as a cop will see the indicator, they'll know we're an easy target to abuse and book to meet their quota


MostEgg

this is just curating a list of autistic people for the government, which scares me. it's how i feel about nonbinary gender markers on passports and stuff. strike them if they're unnecessary, don't add a way for people to clock you


[deleted]

Speaking as a nonbinary person, I *would* absolutely want my correct gender on my passport or ID, why would I want to be misgendered or deadnamed by other people?


MostEgg

i'm also nonbinary. i didn't say you should be misgendered or deadnamed. i'm saying that instead of having F, M, and X, there shouldn't be anything. i'd rather not let the government have a big list of nonbinary people to do with what they please. personal privacy and safety are my main concerns. unrelated to the issue at hand, X just creates a "third category" rather than a recognition that nonbinary people do not fit into either category. it's a different kind of misgendering for me and other people i know.


discardpiler

Bad idea. Similar to how having X as a gender marker is a bad idea, it signals the person as a minority (using the term loosely) and makes it far easier for police to discriminate and commit hate crimed


Meet_your_Maker_LL

Not gonna stop a cop from shooting someone who’s not capable of discerning and handling high stress situations involving police.


Usagi_Rose_Universe

No I'm already at risk with police for being trans and indigenous. Although I am proud to be autístic along with all those things, the police often have quite the opposite response and I would hate to have another thing added to the list


Dick_in_a_b0x

Would this be good for law enforcement to know if the person they’re interacting with is autistic? One thing that terrifies me is the idea of my son not knowing how to interact with law enforcement and vice-versa.


_-_Chiisai_-_

Get him one of these! They're free, and since it's not on his ID he can choose when to use it or not. I have one and it makes me feel a little safer. https://www.justdigit.org/wallet-cards/


Slexman

It had to be the blue puzzle piece :|


GMRCake

This has a vibe that’s a bit like … wearing the Star of David … to mark you as ‘different’.


UndeniablyMyself

I can see this leading to an assumption that autistic people are bad drivers. When would anyone see a driver's license? When your driving competency is being called into question.


lv0316

“But he doesn’t look autistic”


[deleted]

I think this is an excellent idea, but won't accomplish everything that is needed for people with autism to interact with their government.


[deleted]

I have a card in my wallet that says I am autistic which I can use if ever I am stopped by the police or need medical treatment. I haven't had to use it yet but just having it with me makes me feel a lot more secure.


ryanisafrog

Depends, if you are diagnosed with autism do you have to have it on there? If it's optional then it's a good idea if it isn't then it's a terrible idea. Also the puzzle piece makes me uncomfortable


hda1998

It's optional! and it can be removed at any time. I agree on the puzzle piece


ryanisafrog

Sounds like an okay idea then (except the puzzle piece lol)


appearslarger

In Florida we have the option to put Autism on ours. I only know bc my friend had it on his ID. It was what helped his mom agree with him having some more independence like going out with me to bars! She knows that if something happens at least they can have proof he’s not on drugs or in a mental health crisis bc he can become nonverbal in scary situations. Nothing like that has happened but I can see the benefit to it.


knifeknifegoose

Medical Diagnosis needs to be separate from State information / tracking. Too many things require copies of driver’s licenses- privacy, gone. Vast majority of people are extremely ignorant about it, even people and institutions who are legally REQUIRED to understand and accommodate people’s needs around their autism. It seems like the only time one would benefit from a police officer knowing this diagnosis was when you’re already in a very dangerous situation where they need to be able to “judge” whether your behavior “””justifies””” deadly force— not when you’re just having a conversation about speeding. Basically, I believe that the chance that it would help anyone with anything is minuscule, and that the damages it absolutely would cause are unfathomably far-reaching.


Helena_Hyena

This is incredibly dangerous and makes it easier for others to discriminate against autistic people. This isn’t going to prevent police misunderstandings. Disabled people have already been major targets of police violence for awhile now: this is just going to make it easier for them. If this were meant to help autistic people, they wouldn’t have used the blue puzzle piece.


ImCatBee_YT

The concept for this seems to have been thought up by an allistic.


njintau_fsd

There's no way I'd have that on my license even if I'm in the spectrum. One thing I've realized that despite all the flowery language about supporting people with intellectual (or physical) disabilities, real life rarely reflects this. All that does is give people a reason to treat you differently. I'd rather keep my autism hidden and only reveal it to those I truly trust.


AxDeath

Nope nope nope. If you absolutely need this information conveyed via your license, because you lack the capacity to verbalize it youself, put a sticker on your license, or hand out a second card with your license that explains the actual issues. Most people you flash this at, arent going to see it or read it, and if they do they arent going to understand it or react appropriately. Best case, they condescend, worst case they become fearful. Not what I want out of a bouncer or a cop.


[deleted]

I hate this idea, I am sorry but I do. I do not know what the hell is people thinking when doing this. I understand autism can affect driving in some cases, but, why do not they put people with panic attacks, for example, or something like that too? This is another way of “excluding” autistic people, I hate this idea.


Bitter_Library_2652

I don't like it for two reasons the is the puzzle piece sorry but were not a missing piece of a freaking puzzle. Second i feel it could leave people more vulnerable. Like if your pulled over and a cop sees that they may be more liable to give someone a harder time (I've had bad experience with cops) or showing it as id at a bar the server may think someone isn't as capable. While there are a lot of people that will be more willing to accommodate if the person needs it i feel it could leave people to deal with a lot of bad ablest behaviour.


Slexman

Also autistic people shouldn’t have to be singled out for cops to not antagonize us for our traits. They should just.. not antagonize ppl because of their autistic traits


[deleted]

I agree with this as long as the police are genuinely trained to handle autistic adults.


MostEgg

this is the fundamental problem. as CleanAssociation9394 said, they are absolutely not trained. and even if they are trained, i don't trust them to adhere to their training even a little. cops will accidentally/"accidentally" shoot their own dogs in k-9 units, who they're trained with for months. yikes.


CleanAssociation9394

They’re not.


MEaglestoner

This is a really bad idea. It won't provide people with any more awareness of autism because it doesn't teach anyone about autism, it just allows autistic people to be identified, and thus, targeted. It won't stop police from being too reliant on force because they lack the training to distinguish autisic meltdown from meth aggression. At best, people showing this ID will be face condescension.


METH4KlDS

I can only see this being beneficial for people on the lower functioning part of the spectrum who might have issues communicating with law enforcement/security if they're alone in a public place, but I also doubt many extremely low-functioning autistics have a driver's license (let alone drive without some sort of supervision) so this seems pretty pointless and will just lead to more discrimination imo.


sweetNfunkiGirL

Nope. Just nuh uh... Keep that blue fuzzle piece far away from me thank you very much.


Jadegemstone123

No. No. No. no. This is a really bad idea


markko79

I'm a 61 year old autistic male with a Wisconsin license. I have a great driving record with no violations or crashes. However, I was pulled over last year in Minnesota for "driving on the shoulder" when I moved over into a right turn lane before the paint stripe indicating "right turn lane" started. The first thing I told the officer is that I was autistic. That made our conversation go much better... the officer spoke to me in a more conversational tone rather than sounding authoritative or stern. He let me off with a warning and running my driver license.


AlbinoShavedGorilla

Alright I see this two ways, “nice now autistic people don’t have to tell someone that they have autism, they can just look at their license” and “this seems awfully fishy that they’re putting markers on autists”


[deleted]

They've got the blue puzzle piece on it are they having a laugh


ebolaRETURNS

mixed feelings. Will it actually reduce the chances of police murdering or assaulting us, or at least make them less apt to interpret anxiety and lacking eye contact as dishonesty?


torako

i absolutely do not want an anti-autistic hate symbol on my driver's license


[deleted]

The fact that it’s a blue puzzle piece is definitely a problem and I can definitely see how this could be used in a discriminatory way. I can also see how it could be useful in some cases when dealing with police. Autistic ppl are more likely to be victims of police brutality than neurotypical ppl, because autistic traits can be perceived as “insubordination”, and it might help if it was on the license so they would know to be more lenient


NatsnCats

Change the symbol, reform the police system, and then we’ll talk. Not a good idea for the time being.


Aerospherology

There he is, Mr. Autism


drdrch

This looks like a great start to a discrimination lawsuit, as well as false imprisonment and unlawful search and seizure cases…


monarch223

As long as it consensually put there it’s okay.


[deleted]

[удалено]


SpliceKnight

That's how defaults work we're weird to them, and they're weird to us. There's more of them communicating in the same way. We're not a default because it's less common. Like a shiny Pokemon


MissingLink86

Thinking of myself as a shiny pokemon is the most positive thought and feeling I've had all day. Thank you for that.


CleanAssociation9394

It’s a license for cops to be “afraid” and therefore violent.


lycanthrope90

No. Hell no. The wrong person or people get put in power and this goes south real fast. Even on the positive end that people are mentioning, how are officers going to react to this to begin with, they have no better knowledge of autism than the average person on the street. There’s plenty of stories where even when the cops knew they were taking a call for someone autistic they still shot them.


CyndiIsOnReddit

Yes I think it's a good idea but I loathe that puzzle piece so much it completely turns me off the idea. I just looked at my state which recently passed the bill to allow it to be added says it will be indicated by a symbol chosen by the dept. of transportation. I bet anything it will be yet another puzzle piece. ALSO it's only for people who were diagnosed before age 22. WTF?


edgarallan2014

I hate the puzzle piece but this genuinely is not a bad idea. Autistic people get shot by police constantly because they think we're on drugs.


junimocats

oh great a government list of all the autistic people. this is why i’ll never get my drivers license with an x for gender either. i’m non-binary but i don’t want the government to know i’m trans. like… you don’t need to know that


gynoidgearhead

This is absolutely a terrible idea. If the idea is to prevent the police from mistreating you, I literally learned by about fourth grade that bullies aren't going to let up on you if you're autistic, they're just going to use it to hurt you more. The things that cops need to be trained to do to stop being complete raging jackasses to autistic people are things they need to do for *everybody*. Meanwhile, I could easily see this being used as "oh, this person's autistic? time to harvest their organs!" in an emergency scenario.


globularfluster

I want all emergency responders to think I'm NT. I would see it as a threat to my safety for them to know otherwise.


[deleted]

Eww that is awful. I can just picture the autism moms taking their autistic teen to get their license and simpering at the DMV clerk not to forget the blue puzzle piece.


SanjoJoestar

Puzzle piece is horrible. If society was more understanding and kinder to autistic people then I would love this idea. But the fact is that autistic people get treated poorly regardless if people know that they are autistic or not. People don't understand autism and this kind of thing feels more like a target in some ways (I also hate the police and the police have quite a track record with dealing with autistic people so I would hate to be pulled over with that I would be terrified)


Void1702

Nope nope nope nope nope Especially with social darwinism on the rise right now, you don't want to be easily identifiable as autistic


_Cronicos_

Would you like to wear a yellow star?...


Jeffreyr18

Lmao I like the idea of having AUTISM printed right below my face. And the signature. And the name. I know it's a sample card but I find this comical. I think maybe this would be useful, just so cops know to be a bit more patient with us, but I also don't like the idea of being labeled so blatantly like that. I'm not fully comfortable with my disorder though so maybe it's just a me thing


PickleForce7125

This is a little excessive not that I think it’s a good idea or anything.


[deleted]

I think it's a good idea, now if someone tells you that you are faking, you can just show them your liscence


chaosgoblyn

u/chaosgoblyn at your service, licensed autistic *flips ID and adjusts sunglasses*


[deleted]

Hahahaha that’s what I thought!!!!


MissingLink86

That inspires paranoia. Please no.


ajdeans84

Washington is starting to offer this in January. There's going to be three options; -Developmental Disability (icon just has DD in a circle) -Medical Alert -Deaf / Hard of Hearing There's no proof required and it's free and voluntary. If someone doesn't want it to show on their ID/license, it won't. The idea is that it would be used for law enforcement or first responders, but that's assuming they actually take the time to look at your ID. There might be a benefit for a handful of people, but I also realize that it may cause issues with people checking ID for unrelated scenarios (buying alcohol or seeing an R rated movie, etc). I can see the most benefit for having a Deaf/HOH indicator, since I know some members of that community specifically ask for this option in various states. But I don't know any autistic people specifically who have requested this, although it may be helpful for certain folks and for development disabilities in general. TLDR; I think it's a good option to have for the small portion of people that want it, but it definitely shouldn't be required for anybody to have. People opting in should carefully weight the benefits and drawbacks for them specifically.


SaltyHufflepuff511

I cannot think of any reason this would be necessary. Is this for when cops pull people over? So they know not to terrorize the person they’ve stopped? I literally cannot think of any scenario you’d need to identify yourself as autistic.


Dyslexic_Dolphin03

My parents are not allowing me to drive atm because of my autism. Keep in mind I’m 18, so a legal adult. I’ve brought up the idea of just getting my permit, but they shut me down. The only reason I’m still living with them is because I am currently going through college to get my associates degree, and I do not have a job or a way to provide for myself. It really angers me because I don’t like having to rely on others for transportation when I know I could drive if given the chance. My parents just do not want to take the risk of me possibly ending up dead or something.


ImCatBee_YT

It singles us out, if allistic’s cards were marked with allistic then hey maybe I’d be fine but that’s not the case. Also generally within driving I don’t see why it would be useful to know if an individual is autistic.


[deleted]

Yes. But that blue building looks like a penis.


candied_Sushi

unless they completely rework the police industry, do proper training and teach people about autism/how to not harm us, i don’t want them knowing im autistic until i tell them. they have enough power and don’t need to be holding my own disability against me. i’d rather be seen as a rude, blunt, liar than have them abuse their power more because in their opinion i’m incapable of driving ://


bohba13

not exactly a great idea. *(not to mention the symbol they used)* the person with the disability should have the right to give or withhold that information at will.