Autism ID Bracelets/Necklaces and such

[Arashi222]

OK as always if this is not the right place for this discussion please move it mods OK So while we have discussed a tad here about wallet Id Card's to identify as having a form of Autism. I am wondering weather having an ID Bracelet or necklace would be a great thing especially for those of us that tend to go into selective mutism or other communication issues where it would help for people to know that we may need help and not be able to tell them. I am seriously considering ordering a a bracelet engraved with the words I have Aspergers and Asthma please be understanding, the back would have my information on it and my emergency contact info.

SO I really want to know what you guys think of this idea. I mean I know that some people have a very strict view of loudly pronouncing that they have Autism but I feel like this would be silent way to get us help in situations where we might not be able to ourselves.

 

[King_Oni]

I think it's a good idea for those that need it. If, like you point out, you're having some communication issues this might be something worth a try.

But on the other hand; how many people don't really know what Aspergers is? I wouldn't be surprised if some people would treat people who wear a bracelet like they carry some infectious disease. That's the ignorance everyone has to deal with, not just us aspies.

Also; be prepared for people to ask you about it. Which probably defeats the purpose.

I remember the national autism organisation here hands out cards that have some traits listed, which do something similar, yet in general, you'd still have to whip out the card.

 

[Kelly]

One of the mums on the aspie girls forum I go on makes really pretty bracelets with the sort of info you mean,hope this link works;

Kat 'Von Bling'

 

[Arashi222]

One of the mums on the aspie girls forum I go on makes really pretty bracelets with the sort of info you mean,hope this link works;

Kat 'Von Bling'

Thanks Kelly. So what do you think Kelly about the idea? I am just gather peoples thoughts on this. I know a lot of people are very strict on whom shall know and things but I honestly think that it allows us to be seen and heard.

 

[oscar2012]

Hi Arashi i have a wrist band and its got on it CONNECTING THE PIECES . And pictures of jigsaw pieces on it it makes me feel good about having it on. like king said people will want to be nosey and ask what it means so its your opportunity to bring your own awerness of aspergers to them

 

[Flinty]

Has anyone thought of getting a MedicAlert bracelet? Because that would serve the purpose (and for Arashi, it can cover the asthma as well).

I used to have one, but it got lost and I've never replaced it (and it's now inaccurate anyway).

 

[Arashi222]

Has anyone thought of getting a MedicAlert bracelet? Because that would serve the purpose (and for Arashi, it can cover the asthma as well).

I used to have one, but it got lost and I've never replaced it (and it's now inaccurate anyway).

Flinty that is what I am talking about getting. A medical alert bracelet that functions for both or just for Autism. There are some really nice ones that are decently priced and look just like regular bracelets only they have the tag with the information on it. I believe it would even be helpful in a situation where we might be hurt and unable to tell them or like in my case if I am having an asthma attack it might be helpful.

 

[Sparticus]

Great idea, I like it! But as someone noted, others could see it & you have to be prepared for questions and or being socially ostracized.

If I got one it would say "Alert-autism, return to owner" with my female friend's name & her phone number... :idea: :laugh:

 

[Ste11aeres]

I like the idea. It may seem odd to some, but I recall being taken into the emergency room after something traumatic (bike crash, truck crash, etc.) and coming unglued. It wasn’t because of what had happened, but rather what was going on; the sensory overload was too much. If the medical professionals knew that the patient is an aspie, they would be better informed on how to approach them. I can handle being dragged in with parts dangling, bleeding, or whatever. What I can’t stand is the lights, noise, and chaos of an ER. I’ve been in one a lot over the years, so I know.

Remind me to stay off the road when you're driving.

 

[Arashi222]

Great idea, I like it! But as someone noted, others could see it & you have to be prepared for questions and or being socially ostracized.

If I got one it would say "Alert-autism, return to owner" with my female friend's name & her phone number... :idea: :laugh:

I don't mind questions. I am not hiding who I am. This is for professionals like security personal, EMT's and such to help me if I need help. I don't see why I would be ostracized I mean its just a bracelet that says dudes I got Autism. There actually way more in your face kind of things. I saw some patches you can stick to your clothing or your kids clothing that says:
I am not misbehaving I have Autism please be understanding.

I am done with hiding who I am. I am done with pretending that there is nothing different about me. I understand that I am going to need help and that there will be times when I will not be able to ask for it. As one mom read her post on another forum I was browsing on the subject said that her daughter is a lot like me where in high stress we tend to become mute. She got her a bracelet that was cloth to help with the sensory stuff and taught her how to use it if she needed help. I think that is amazing. Some people use neck tags which I am not as fond of. I prefer something less obvious than a neck tag.

 

[Sparticus]

I’m always joking about Prates and after I responded here I went to watch “Captain Kidd” on dvd. I don’t mind questions either. Hmm I don’t think I’m hiding as much as I’m annoyed, disgusted by & attempting to stay away from NTs. There’s the whole glazed look on their face...I’m not sure...autism is still relatively new to me.

For several years I put autism in the back of my mind after the small aspie group I was posting on died. I agree for medical personnel & first responders [police- “dispatch, it’s that Wolf guy again...”] it can be the difference between night and day. Plus with a bracelet, instead of talking, you can just show it to first responders.

As for the general population...they would only see a medical bracelet-the word autism/Aspergers would be on the back. And even if someone saw the word “Aspergers” I don’t think it would be a big deal. Before I knew I had autism I was trying to figure out the most accurate way to tell people, especially online, how I was different. Before autism I discovered hsp.

Trust me the police didn’t care when I was in their custody & said I was a highly sensitive person [hsp.] I might as well have announced I had four arms. But I’d guess autism would be a more recognizable name than hsp. As for ostracizing that might be more towards teenagers and children. I agree that having a bracelet/medical alert with Aspergers on it would help alleviate a lot of stress when dealing with medical & security people.

I don't mind questions. I am not hiding who I am. This is for professionals like security personal, EMT's and such to help me if I need help. I don't see why I would be ostracized I mean its just a bracelet that says dudes I got Autism. There actually way more in your face kind of things. I saw some patches you can stick to your clothing or your kids clothing that says:
I am not misbehaving I have Autism please be understanding.

I am done with hiding who I am. I am done with pretending that there is nothing different about me. I understand that I am going to need help and that there will be times when I will not be able to ask for it. As one mom read her post on another forum I was browsing on the subject said that her daughter is a lot like me where in high stress we tend to become mute. She got her a bracelet that was cloth to help with the sensory stuff and taught her how to use it if she needed help. I think that is amazing. Some people use neck tags which I am not as fond of. I prefer something less obvious than a neck tag.

 

[Peace]

As an EMT, I think it is a great idea. When we do assessments of a patient, we look for things to be concerned about. One of the main ones is "Mental Status". We observe if the person seems confused or slow. This is an indication of head trauma or brain damage. Anything other than a normal coherent response might be interpreted as suffering one of these, and it might be determined that you are not competent to make rational decisions for yourself. With an ID bracelet, we would know to assess differently, and probably ask different questions which would help you to get better care.

 

[Arashi222]

As an EMT, I think it is a great idea. When we do assessments of a patient, we look for things to be concerned about. One of the main ones is "Mental Status". We observe if the person seems confused or slow. This is an indication of head trauma or brain damage. Anything other than a normal coherent response might be interpreted as suffering one of these, and it might be determined that you are not competent to make rational decisions for yourself. With an ID bracelet, we would know to assess differently, and probably ask different questions which would help you to get better care.

Thank you for your response. I am glad someone in the EMT field responded to this. I think this is why I opened it to discussion. I want to know what peoples thoughts are because I fear not being able to communicate when I am afraid. If I am afraid and they don't know why It could lead to a misdiagnosis. I am going to get a bracelet. I just don't know if I want to put Aspergers or Autism on it. I think that is the piece for me I am struggling with since they are the same thing but differing degrees.

 

[Peace]

I think you have a better chance of people knowing what Autism is, than Aspergers. I don't think it is well known enough. Hell, my doctors couldn't figure it out. Well, In all fairness, I guess they are only practicing

Thank you for your response. I am glad someone in the EMT field responded to this. I think this is why I opened it to discussion. I want to know what peoples thoughts are because I fear not being able to communicate when I am afraid. If I am afraid and they don't know why It could lead to a misdiagnosis. I am going to get a bracelet. I just don't know if I want to put Aspergers or Autism on it. I think that is the piece for me I am struggling with since they are the same thing but differing degrees.

 

[Arashi222]

I think you have a better chance of people knowing what Autism is, than Aspergers. I don't think it is well known enough. Hell, my doctors couldn't figure it out. Well, In all fairness, I guess they are only practicing

Thanks for the input Peace. I was wondering about that. Would it be more important for Autism to be on it or Aspergers but I personally think you are right since they are rolling all PDD's into ASD I might as well. Do you have a preferance of what kind of medic alert bracelets EMT's find easier to read? I am asking because there are so many kinds out there.

 

[Kelly]

Thanks Kelly. So what do you think Kelly about the idea? I am just gather peoples thoughts on this. I know a lot of people are very strict on whom shall know and things but I honestly think that it allows us to be seen and heard.

I think it's a great idea, when Kyoko is older and on her own more (i.e teen years) I will have one made for her so she has something as she can become mute when extremely upset and / or overwhelmed. I think the ones Kat makes are nice because they just look like charm bracelets so most people won't notice that they have info on autism on them but police/ medics etc will see it and it may help in some situations.

I won't be getting one but that's because I never go anywhere without someone close to me 90% of the time it's my husband and if he's not with me it's my mother in law so when a situation is too much for me etc I can tell them and they get me out of it. I do have an autism card though which states I have an autistic spectrum disorder and contact details of my husband that I take out the very rare time I might be alone for a few minutes(sometimes when we go into the town centre shopping he will go in the bank and I will go look in the video game shop).

As for what to put on it Arashi how about autistic spectrum disorder? That way the word autistic is on there and most people have a general idea about autism and so would treat you with more consideration then if it just said Asperger's as they might think "what the heck is that?".

 

[total-recoil]

Whatever makes life easier for you seems fine to me. If it makes you feel more secure, wear the bracelet. On a personal note, I really don't know if I could apply it to myself. I have a best friend now at work and we often text and share problems and I was going to share I have Aspergers (although I know not officially diagnosed). The problem for me is I just don't seem to ever trust anyone, sometimes not even family. Nobody knows I have it and it's like my special secret - my family would have no idea what aspergers is. More recently I became aware that under real pressure I can (albeit rarely) explode and am beginning to think that the fact the people around me know nothing about A.S. puts me in limbo. There is a lot of real stress where I work where sometimes people in authority can become rude, abusive and bully other people. I can think of two occasions now where this was triggering a momentary meltdown. Even worse, there are times I misinterpret things and get very much on edge. I have no idea if I'd be better off telling my bosses I have A.S. or maybe worse off. However, I respect and support your decision and wish you all the best.

Thank you for your response. I am glad someone in the EMT field responded to this. I think this is why I opened it to discussion. I want to know what peoples thoughts are because I fear not being able to communicate when I am afraid. If I am afraid and they don't know why It could lead to a misdiagnosis. I am going to get a bracelet. I just don't know if I want to put Aspergers or Autism on it. I think that is the piece for me I am struggling with since they are the same thing but differing degrees.