Handicapped Parking for Autistics

I recently got into a spirited conversation with a couple other AutMoms regarding autism and whether or not people with autism should get handicapped placards.

Do people with autism always need a handicapped parking spot?

In other words, even if the driver doesn’t have autism but someone in the vehicle does, does the diagnosis of “autism” always warrant a handicap parking spot?

The issue

I responded to a Facebook post which was a page from an AutDad’s blog. The post was about getting handicapped parking for autistic children. In the first paragraph he said, “I’m always shocked at how many people don’t know that in (most?) states in the US you may qualify for a handicap permit if your child has autism.” He stated that his child has severe autism (and, he’s a “runner”) as well as epilepsy.

To me, that’s an excellent reason for a parent to apply for a handicapped parking spot. Those are some serious issues. Parking close to a building could save his son’s life someday.

However, there was more.

The next line

The dad’s next line or two of his post bothered me. He wrote, “To me this is one of the only perks of autism.” He added that front-of-the-line passes are also perks.

After that, he went on to explain the process his family went through (in New York State) to obtain a handicapped placard for his son. The placard is referred to as a “Youth” placard, which allows it to be transferred from vehicle to vehicle, whatever vehicle is transporting the youth. (It is not car-dependent.)

He implied the process was quite easy for his family. Then, he stressed in big, bold letters, “AS LONG AS YOU HAVE YOUR ASD KID WITH YOU,” you can use it anywhere.

He went on to discuss the use of the placard a bit more, saying they don’t always use it, but will if it means walking 1/2 a mile. He said he and his wife refer to it as “Playing the A card.”

Using the A card

I had a tough time trying to decipher the writer’s feelings about the issue of handicapped placards for people with autism. Therefore, I felt compelled to comment on the post.

My response

“I have a tough time with this one because I believe most autistic kids/adults do not need a handicapped parking permit. If they can walk within reasonable limits, let them walk. I get very worked up about this because many people take advantage of handicap parking permits. Too many people use they when they don’t really need to. Therefore, when another handicapped person cannot find a spot, because they’re all taken, they’re left out. As a security guard, I witnessed this behavior all too often. It disgusts me when people to get a permit when it’s really not necessary.”

Why did I respond like I did?

First, the tone of post caught me off guard. The poster wavered on exactly HOW he feels about handicapped placards. His tone felt flippant to me, especially when he said that he rarely sees a wheelchair-bound person leaving a vehicle from a handicapped spot, but sees (mostly elderly) people who APPEAR to look healthy.

And, he wrote “appear” in bold.

Then, he implied the elderly “get their doctors to say they need it.”

Ugh. What an awful thing to say.

However, I limited my response to the playing of A card.

The line, “Everyone with autism go out now and get your placards.”

Uncomfortable

The post made me feel uncomfortable.

He stated that you have to have your person with you in the car, however, the overall tone of the blog post felt like “here’s how you get away with this one, use the A card.”

It is a serious issue to obtain a handicapped parking permit. “Playing the A card” and “perk” didn’t sit well with me.

Thinking back on it, I’m sure the AutDad didn’t mean for his tone to come off that badly. However, I reacted to his tone and responded with my own version. I tried to convey my own experiences as well as the main problem I have with this issue.

The take-away

I responded the way I did to put a disclaimer out there in order to be completely clear on this issue. Just because an individual has a diagnosis of autism, doesn’t mean there’s a need for a handicapped placard. Every situation is different.

We have never gotten a handicapped placard for our son. We never saw the need.

I tell this to my autism community. Similarly, he was talking to his autism community as well.

However, he message didn’t sit well. Autism does not equal handicapped placard. It shouldn’t, in my opinion.

Autism is not about the “perks.” It should go by need.

It is also not “the A card.”

Circling back

In my opinion, this AutDad’s son does need a handicapped placard.

Others on the post also stated the needs of their kids.

In addition, two people posted with some hysterics. “How dare you say autistic kids don’t need this.” “All kids on the autism spectrum should qualify.”

The reactions to my reaction

Did these two posters read the original post? Did they read my post?

Plus, I disagree.

A handicap placard is based on need and proximity to a location. Does your child with autism NEED that close parking spot (or, do you just WANT it?)

Another mom said that most people use handicap placards responsibly.

Not in my experience. I think there are plenty of people who take advantage of handicapped placards.

No, not everyone, but a lot more than this mom thinks.

Accessing all of it

I truly believe a few of the respondents confused me with the original poster. “You cannot tell if a person NEEDS that placard just by looking at them.”

I never said that because I don’t believe it and I know better. I wasn’t the person who made that statement in the first place. The dad in the original post implied it.

I wrote about the people who do abuse, not the people with need.

My point remains

My point was that autism does NOT equal handicapped placards. The entire autism community should not be running out to the DMV tomorrow to apply for handicapped placards.

I respect all of the posters and appreciate the dialog created, even if some angry tones were misdirected. I apparently was given—what—a lesson in compassion? One that I did not deserve.

I know many children on the autism spectrum, and most of those kids I know (within my circle) do not need handicapped parking. That’s my experience.

Above all, I have witnessed abuse with handicap placards.

That. Is. My. Experience.

It’s the people who don’t have a need and they take advantage of the system. Sort of like the original poster implied, “Go out and get one, folks!”

It’s tricky to put your opinion on the web, in writing. Easy to misunderstand words sometimes.

I hope this blog post (my blog post) clears up any misunderstandings about how I feel on this issue.

Handicapped Parking for Autistics

Here’s the AutDad’s blog post:

http://autism-daddy.blogspot.com/2011/12/yes-you-can-get-handicap-parking-permit.html

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