A couple of days ago, several of my online friends and I were discussing how our kids are at or near the age where they would be driving. The teens are making college plans, and will be moving away from us and into the adult world.
This is true of all teenagers, but this group of kids are special: they are both academically gifted and have Aspergers Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, or Non-verbal Learning Disorder. Smart kids, but with weaknesses that mean they may have problems dealing with adult-type emergencies.
I remembered seeing a couple of wallet cards with information for law officers and first responders that would help them deal with an Aspie who wasn’t reacting conventionally in a stressful situation. I liked the idea behind the cards, but each had serious problems: one was a print and write form with tiny type and very little space for writing, the other appeared to be written in a demeaning way, as if the person with Aspergers was incapable of relating to anyone.
I’m a graphic designer by trade, and also have Aspergers Syndrome.I decided to create my own card, one that would have all the necessary information and not be embarrassing to carry. The card you see is the result.
The card is on sale at Zazzle and has fields where you can enter personal information:
- name, address and phone number
- the names and addresses of two contacts, who are willing to help in an emergency. These can be parents, therapists, friends, or anyone
- birth date, useful if the person carrying the card is under 18
- room to list medical conditions, allergies, sensitivities, etc.
- There’s space to add a photograph.
All this information is added to the card before you order it. Zazzle will use their printing technology to print one or more copies of the card to order. When you get the card, cut it out (Zazzle doesn’t do custom cutting), fold it in half, and put it in your wallet.
Here’s the inside of the card. It contains tips on what to expect from a person with Aspergers (may answer literally; may not make eye contact) and how to work with the Aspie to solve the situation (avoid touching when possible, don’t shout). It ends with what I’m calling the Aspie’s Motto: When you’ve met one person with Aspergers … you’ve met one person with Aspergers. We aren’t all alike —we don’t all need the card, even.
But for the person with AS who knows she freaks in an emergency, or the parent of a boy who is taking the subway alone … the card is invaluable.
Aspergers Emergency Card, by Cartesian Bear at Zazzle
Detailed Instructions on Customizing the Card
Update
Several customers reported the card wasn’t printing correctly — the front and back sides were not aligned. I’ve corrected this on the “Aspergers Information Card Version 2.0.” Please refer to this version only.
One More Thing …
If I sell enough cards, I will use part of the profits to support organizations run by people with Aspergers that help ourselves and other Aspies. You can help by letting as many people as possible learn about the card. Use the sharing buttons below or on the right to spread the word.
One More “One More Thing” …
If you would like to help promote the card, you can sign up with Zazzle’s affiliate program and earn 15% on each sale. I encourage awareness groups like the ones I plan to support to sign up and promote the card to their members, and earn a little money in the process.
