'I've got Autism' Badges. What are your thoughts please

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

Trialia wrote: »

FYI, it's much harder to get statemented as an Aspie adult (especially when it's comparatively mild) than it is to get the same accommodation for a child. Mostly because even professionals tend to assume that one is trying to be "trendy" with it.

I've known for years I have mild Asperger's, but getting anyone official to put that on paper for me, so I can just legitimately list it as a concurrent thing with my three disabling physical & mental health issues? Nightmare. I have OCD tendencies and trichotillomania, emotional empathy but the bare minimum of cognitive empathy, have been told by multiple people who are not officially treating me but have experience that they're positive I am Aspie, but I can't get the 'official' people to admit it.

I would not, however, want to wear a badge advertising the fact. One of the quickest ways to get oneself discriminated against for one's differences is to advertise them... as an invisibly disabled lesbian, I've learned that one.

It is harder to get diagnosed as an adult but it is possible, it probably depends alot on where you live.

I was diagnosed in 2006 at 33, I live in Northamptonshire & there is a specialist team working at St Mary's Hospital in kettering diagnosing adults only.

Im sure there must be similar units around the Country & if your GP can't help try speaking to someone at your local hospital that diagnoses children as they were the ones that referred me.

It might be that you are on the spectrum, ie have autistic traits but are not severe enough to get an official diagnosis but if you have suffered from mental health problems in the past being diagnosed can really help.

Good luck.

jo_c_3

real1314 wrote: »

I think if you are sick of having to apologise when your DS hits people, then you need to think again about taking him to places / situations where this is likely to happen.
I'm not sure that a badge or t-shirt is the answer.

You also refer to "having to apologise over every little thing" but hitting other kids is not a little thing.

your comments have infuriated me, are you suggesting we keep our children permanently locked up???

If i followed your advice i could never go shopping, never go on holiday, never go to any public place...

jo_c_3

I personally think that these badges are useful. I had a bad experience in Porta Ventura with my son pushing and shoving in queues i tired to explain he had autism, but the language barrier was a problem. Ive seen somewhere a t shirt on ebay that has several languages on it, it tells you that the child has autism in about 5 languages which would be so handy as the rides people would realise its not his fault entirely...

I think people are more excepting of autism and special needs, if they know.

I was permanently apologising to everyone my son lashed out at or shoved and tried to explain but in a different country your stuffed, i wish i could find the shirts again ive scoured ebay..

sammy10

Hi, Im sorry I havent read all of this thread but my nephew has aspergers and his mum has the cards from the Autism society that say "Im not naughty I have aspergers thank you for your patience." She gives them to the people who tut or comment on his behaviour and always gives her most beaming smile as she does it:D
They went to Legoland recently and she also gave them to the people who commented on the queue jumpers when they were allowed to go to the front.

Psychobabble

I use those cards for my 9 yr old son who has Asperger's and ADHD, very useful I have found.

Trialia

I think they're more suitable for children than for adults, but I do feel they encourage children on the spectrum to use it as an excuse, and they shouldn't.

coppertj

well i have a 13 yr old autistic daughter and have worked with autistic adults for years- i think that each are to their own- i would but her a t shirt or safety stickers for busy places as i have had too many a time when ive had the stares and snide remarks due to her behaviour- believe me ive seen so called normal kids act much worse and i totally think education is needed for those who think we should not take our children where others go- in this day and age all others get 'rights' - and yes i did say autistic nor artistic and i have autism whats ur excuse are my favourite t shirts so far!!:T