States Look to Put Label on Driver’s License for Autism

My son Johnny was almost five years old when he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. That was almost one year ago. Although we were told by experts they were unsure, I could have pushed to have him diagnosed sooner. 

To be completely honest, I think I was afraid of the label. I did not want people to hear he was autistic and assume so many preconceived ideas about him.

I did not want them to expect the worst from him, or love him less.  

I worried teachers would dislike him before they met him and his peers would make fun of him. It hurt my heart. The thing is, those things could happen anyway. 

Johnny isn’t typical. He will be the hard kid in class and he will be different from his peers. It will be noticed.

I have learned the label helps his teacher and peers understand him, and hopefully we find good people who accept him anyway. 

Now I let everyone know.

Awareness helps.

It helps my child be understood, it helps others learn, and most importantly it can keep my son safe.

My number one concern has always been my child’s safety.

The older Johnny got, the more I worried. While other kids started learning their parents’ names and phone numbers, my son couldn’t even say his own name. My son likes to run away from supervision and jump off of high things. In a tense situation he melts down, panics or runs. 

If something happened to me or he was away from me, who would explain him to the people who are supposed to help?

Fortunately, many fire departments and police departments train on how to help children on the spectrum. So now I have a bracelet that states Johnny’s diagnosis, sticker on our car and take other precautions. 

But what about when he’s not a child?

When I read stories about people like Matthew Rushin and Elijah McClain whose actions are questioned as dangerous or wrong, and end up in prison or dead because they are different, it scares me.

How can we protect adults on the spectrum?

In New Jersey lawmakers are looking into introducing a mark or code on the driver’s licenses of adults with autism and other communication disabilities.  A New York father,  Peter Gagliardo, is  pushing for something similar for autistic adults, like his adult son who is a licensed driver. 

Some states already do this;

In Texas, drivers can add a note that says  “communication impediment” to their driver’s license or to their DMV file. So if pulled over, the officer can see before approaching them. 

In Arkansas autistic people can apply for a communication impediment designation on their driver’s license or as a decal on their license plates. Georgia has something similar listed on the back of a driver’s license or ID.

Virginia gives an option to include a code on IDs saying the owner has autism spectrum disorder. DC does as well. 

As a mom to an autistic person, this both excites and scares me.

I think it would be good for an officer to know how to help my child if pulled over or in an emergency immediately. It also gives me hope that more training is being given on how to better assist autistic adults.

On the other hand, my mind goes back to my original label fears.

Would an officer be prejudiced about my child? What if someone decides people with ASD shouldn’t drive anymore? What if someone takes advantage of my son? 

I think it’s better to hope my son would be safe with some sort of notification on his person, and that good people will help and understand him.

If my son ever gets to the point where he can, I will let him decide for himself. It’s his label to hold.

As a mom I just want my son to be safe, respected and loved. He is who he is and a label does not change that, but maybe it can open the door to help and understanding. 

Written by, Jaime Ramos

Jaime Ramos, of Johnny’s Spirit, is a sometimes overly sarcastic wife and mom from Colorado. She’s married to her best friend, Isaac and they have two kids, Amelie and Jesse. Jesse is her Johnny, he is 5 and on the Autism Spectrum. 

She went to school to be a filmmaker, but now spends her days mainly as a stay at home mom. Jaime enjoys capturing pictures and writing pieces about the beauty of her son’s free spirit, and the way the world perceives him. Sometimes that is the good and amazing wins, and other times the hard. 

Facebook: facebook.com/Johnnysspirit

IG: instagram.com/johnnysspirit/

Blog: Johnnysspirit.com

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