If you have autism or you care for a person with autism, making an emergency ID card is a good idea. If you make a card for someone else, educate the person with autism to keep it on hand to share with people in confusing situations, such as when they’re approached by a uniformed person or when they have difficulty interacting with others they don’t know.
The front side of wallet-size card should give the name of the person with autism and two or three contact name and numbers. The next paragraph would be a good one to copy:
My name is ___________________ and I have autism, which causes me to behave in unexpected ways. Please contact one of the people listed here: (List names and phone numbers for two or three people.)
On the back of the card, you can include information on autism and offer tips with dealing with the person with autism, such as that in the following table:
| I may: | Please help by: |
|---|---|
| Not understand what you say | Not shouting |
| Appear deaf | Speaking slowly and softly |
| Suddenly dart away | Using concrete terms |
| Have difficulty speaking | Giving me time to respond |
| Flap my hands or rock | Explaining before doing |
| Not understand legal issues | Employing visual aids for communication when possible |
| Be overly sensitive to shiny objects, sounds, touch, or smells | Making no sudden movements and Warning me first if you must touch me |
Feel free to print out this page and use it to design your own emergency card.
