In a move aimed at ensuring safer interactions between law enforcement and individuals on the autism spectrum, New Jersey will soon allow residents to add a special designation to their driver’s licenses or ID cards. This initiative, set to roll out next week, is designed to help police officers recognize and better respond to individuals with specific communication or cognitive challenges.
What Is the Autism Designation?
The new designation will appear as the number 5 in the “Restrictions” section of the license or ID. Alongside this, individuals will receive a “pink card” from the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). This card will clearly describe their diagnosis and must be carried with the ID or license at all times.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin highlighted the importance of this change, saying:
“So law enforcement, when they interact with them, they know how to treat them with respect and make sure that everyone can be treated safely.”
How Does the Program Work?
The pink card will include two sections:
- Designation Section: Allows individuals to check boxes for conditions such as:
- Autism Spectrum
- Communication Disorder
- Disorder Hearing Aid
- Restriction Section: Includes checks for physical aids like:
- Hearing Impaired
- Mechanical Aid
- Prosthetic Aid
Who Can Apply?
To apply for the designation, residents will need:
- Six points of identification (standard MVC requirement).
- A formal statement from either a guardian or the applicant confirming the diagnosis.
Why This Initiative Matters
For people on the autism spectrum, being pulled over by police can be particularly stressful. There’s a risk that common symptoms, such as avoiding eye contact, delayed responses, or heightened anxiety, could be misunderstood by officers as signs of non-cooperation.
Sarah Adelman, New Jersey Human Services Secretary Commissioner, emphasized:
“It may be difficult for you to let someone know what that disorder is or that you need communication accommodations, and so often that could be misinterpreted by law enforcement as someone who is uncooperative.”
Real-Life Examples Show the Importance
Tim Barlow, whose 23-year-old son is on the autism spectrum, shared a personal experience where his son’s nervous behavior during a traffic stop was thankfully recognized by a perceptive officer. The officer’s understanding helped avoid a potentially stressful misunderstanding.
In another case, Suzanne Buchanan, Executive Director of Autism New Jersey, recalled a situation where an autistic driver hesitated to follow a police officer’s direction to pull into a parking lot because he was concerned about not having his license physically on him, even though the officer’s request was legitimate. Such misunderstandings highlight the need for clear identification systems.
