We at Aspergers101 would like to thank all who’ve taken part in getting the “Driving with Autism and other Communication Impediments” initiative state-wide in Texas! Two versions of the Public Service Announcement currently are airing across Texas on both TV and radio stations. Samuel Allen/Spokesperson of the Aspergers101 Driving with Autism initiative speaks on behalf of those with Autism or other diagnosis that may be slower to respond to an officer of the law. Emma Faye Rudkin, Founder & President of Aid the Silent organization, speaks on behalf of those who are deaf or hard of hearing. The framed posters and informative tri-fold brochures are in all DPS Driver License Offices informing citizens of their option to utilize the code informing law enforcement of the diagnosis of: Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Deafness, Parkinson’s Disease, Mild Intellectual Disability, Down Syndrome, Mutism and other diagnosis.
So what is a communication impediment with a Peace Officer?
Most common diagnosis include: Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Mild intellectual disability, Deafness, Speech & languages disorders, Expressive Language Disorder, Down Syndrome, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Deafness, Brain Injury or Parkinson’s Disease.
How can you get Communication Impediment with a Peace Officer on your Texas driver license or state ID?
Only two actions required:
1. Have your doctor complete and sign the Texas DPS Physician’s Statement, Form DL101, affirming the Autism, Asperger, speech disability or other appropriate diagnosis.
2. On Texas DPS driver license application KL14A/S be sure and complete line 7 on the form.
For more information go to the Texas Department of Public Safety website: https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/commImpedimentWithPO.htm
What a blessed journey this has been for our family…to God be the Glory, great things he has done. – Jennifer Allen/Founder & CEO Aspergers101
A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Jennifer had a long career in TV Broadcasting. Upon learning her oldest son Sam had a form of Autism called Asperger’s Syndrome, she left her career and became a full-time mother to both of her sons. Jennifer elicited the participation of her family and together they produced several independent programs including a children’s animated series titled Ameriquest Kids, as well as a documentary and book titled, Coping to Excelling: Solutions for School-age Children Diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism or Aspergers Syndrome. She formed the nonprofit Asperger101 to provide on-going free resources related to ASD at Aspergers101.com and has implemented the Texas Driving with Disability Program and continues to grow the statewide initiative today. She and her husband have recently retired to their property in the Texas Hill Country.
I have Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder and Spinal Stenosis and I was assaulted at Parkway Grill restaurant in Wichita Falls, Texas on Southwest Parkway and retaliated against for self-advocating by restaurant waitresses and management and police.
I was assaulted and hit in the forehead last Saturday while trying to eat and watch a college football game sitting by myself at Parkway Grill restaurant on Southwest Parkway in Wichita Falls, Texas. I sit down at a two-person small table and notice to my left was a very very large table full of about 10 people and they were drinking a lot of alcohol, they had very very large glass beer mugs that were about 10 in tall and 5 in circular. The group of people were also doing shots. A couple of the waitresses kept coming to the table and visiting with and sitting down and visiting with people at the table as if they knew them. They were cursing and very loud and and I try to ignore them. One lady sitting about 4 ft for me kept turning completely around and looking at me and taking pictures of me with her cell phone and lifting her cell phone up and taking like she’s taking a selfie but with me in it and I try to ignore her. She kept referencing and talking about her cop friends Brian Bond, and Bo and saying that she sent the pictures to them. I wear ear defenders and headphones to cut down on overly loud noises that are over stimulating for me. I had ordered a duck pepper and chicken strips and was trying to watch the college football game around 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. The lady kept referencing me as a retard and I’m the weird guy that lives down the street from Raintree apartments. The lady was encouraging people at her table to direct harassing behavior toward me, the lady was obnoxious and bullying and intimidating toward me. I kept trying to ignore her I had to get up at one point and told a couple of the staff waitresses about how I’m being treated by the lady. I was told that the manager is busy, she’s drinking. I told a couple of the waitresses and assistant manager that the lady keeps taking pictures of me and is being very ugly to me and harassing me. I realize that the lady at the table that keeps harassing and bullying me and taking pictures of me with her cell phone is an apartment manager at Raintree apartments in Wichita Falls, Texas. She kept referencing her courtesy officers and I tried to ignore her and watch the game. The lady got up with the rest of her group and began taunting me and saying rude things to me taking pictures of me behind my back while I was sitting in my chair. I turned around while sitting and ask the lady to please leave me alone and can she please stop taking pictures of me while I’m trying to enjoy my meal and watch the game. The lady slapped me with an open hand in the forehead area. Everybody in the restaurant began laughing and behaving as it was entertainment for them and I was in shock and pain. I didn’t realize but I did go into shop and I was extremely confused and bewildered and overwhelmed. The assistant manager told me I have every right to be upset and I should just sit down and finish my meal and take it easy. My forehead and back of my neck was hurting and the assistant manager told me that they are regular customers and they’re really good people and they spend a lot of money at the restaurant and to just let it go. I asked the assistant manager if she can please notify the police and the assistant manager told me to just let it go she cannot call the police for me. She left and then came back and said her manager told her to not call the police for me. I finally was able to get the police called and the two officers showed up and I looked to my left and noticed a surveillance camera that had caught the whole incident on camera. The assistant manager kept telling the police said it is no big deal and it should just be dropped and the police officers told me that they would look at the camera and they did look at the camera and saw what happened and told me that I was clearly assaulted. The officers told me that they’re going to go to their car and write a report and that I should take it easy and finish my meal. Three different times I asked the officers and assistant manager am I in trouble and they said no I did not think wrong. The officers told me that they’re going to leave and I asked do I get a case number and the officers looked at each other and the assistant manager and looked frustrated and upset. I felt like the officers were not going to do anything and try to trick me and not provide me a case number but when I did ask for a case number they knew that they had to do the report and get the video. The one officer said I’ll be right back I’m going to go get the video and then when he returned he told me I’ve got two things to tell you and note. One is I have the video and here’s your case number and the other is the assistant manager has something to tell you. The assistant manager told me that I am being Barred from the restaurant. The police officer told me that I am never ever able to come back to the restaurant and if I do I will be arrested. I got banned for self-advocating the restaurant and managers in waitresses war trying to cover up for the regular customers and the lady that assaulted me. I was able to get a case number and they police officer said he got the video. I need help and advocacy to follow through with this Injustice and the pain that I am experiencing and stress. Thank you. Philip Harlow
I’m so excited about this being available! I’m glad to I live in TX and when my aspergers son ever decides to drive he will have a hand up in dealing with stressful situations. Now the question is How do we make it nationally recognized? I’ve posted it on fb and have several people from different states wishing it was in theirs. I want to help this go national!
I have Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder and Spinal Stenosis and I was assaulted at Parkway Grill restaurant in Wichita Falls, Texas on Southwest Parkway and I was retaliated against for self-advocating by restaurant waitresses and management and police.
I was assaulted and hit in the forehead last Saturday while trying to eat and watch a college football game sitting by myself at Parkway Grill restaurant on Southwest Parkway in Wichita Falls, Texas. I sit down at a two-person small table and notice to my left was a very very large table full of about 10 people and they were drinking a lot of alcohol, they had very very large glass beer mugs that were about 10 in tall and 5 in circular. The group of people were also doing shots. A couple of the waitresses kept coming to the table and visiting with and sitting down and visiting with people at the table as if they knew them. They were cursing and very loud and and I try to ignore them. One lady sitting about 4 ft for me kept turning completely around and looking at me and taking pictures of me with her cell phone and lifting her cell phone up and taking like she’s taking a selfie but with me in it and I try to ignore her. She kept referencing and talking about her cop friends Brian Bond, and Bo and saying that she sent the pictures to them. I wear ear defenders and headphones to cut down on overly loud noises that are over stimulating for me. I had ordered a duck pepper and chicken strips and was trying to watch the college football game around 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. The lady kept referencing me as a retard and I’m the weird guy that lives down the street from Raintree apartments. The lady was encouraging people at her table to direct harassing behavior toward me, the lady was obnoxious and bullying and intimidating toward me. I kept trying to ignore her I had to get up at one point and told a couple of the staff waitresses about how I’m being treated by the lady. I was told that the manager is busy, she’s drinking. I told a couple of the waitresses and assistant manager that the lady keeps taking pictures of me and is being very ugly to me and harassing me. I realize that the lady at the table that keeps harassing and bullying me and taking pictures of me with her cell phone is an apartment manager at Raintree apartments in Wichita Falls, Texas. She kept referencing her courtesy officers and I tried to ignore her and watch the game. The lady got up with the rest of her group and began taunting me and saying rude things to me taking pictures of me behind my back while I was sitting in my chair. I turned around while sitting and ask the lady to please leave me alone and can she please stop taking pictures of me while I’m trying to enjoy my meal and watch the game. The lady slapped me with an open hand in the forehead area. Everybody in the restaurant began laughing and behaving as it was entertainment for them and I was in shock and pain. I didn’t realize but I did go into shop and I was extremely confused and bewildered and overwhelmed. The assistant manager told me I have every right to be upset and I should just sit down and finish my meal and take it easy. My forehead and back of my neck was hurting and the assistant manager told me that they are regular customers and they’re really good people and they spend a lot of money at the restaurant and to just let it go. I asked the assistant manager if she can please notify the police and the assistant manager told me to just let it go she cannot call the police for me. She left and then came back and said her manager told her to not call the police for me. I finally was able to get the police called and the two officers showed up and I looked to my left and noticed a surveillance camera that had caught the whole incident on camera. The assistant manager kept telling the police said it is no big deal and it should just be dropped and the police officers told me that they would look at the camera and they did look at the camera and saw what happened and told me that I was clearly assaulted. The officers told me that they’re going to go to their car and write a report and that I should take it easy and finish my meal. Three different times I asked the officers and assistant manager am I in trouble and they said no I did not think wrong. The officers told me that they’re going to leave and I asked do I get a case number and the officers looked at each other and the assistant manager and looked frustrated and upset. I felt like the officers were not going to do anything and try to trick me and not provide me a case number but when I did ask for a case number they knew that they had to do the report and get the video. The one officer said I’ll be right back I’m going to go get the video and then when he returned he told me I’ve got two things to tell you and note. One is I have the video and here’s your case number and the other is the assistant manager has something to tell you. The assistant manager told me that I am being Barred from the restaurant. The police officer told me that I am never ever able to come back to the restaurant and if I do I will be arrested. I got banned for self-advocating the restaurant and managers in waitresses war trying to cover up for the regular customers and the lady that assaulted me. I was able to get a case number and they police officer said he got the video. I need help and advocacy to follow through with this Injustice and the pain that I am experiencing and stress. Thank you. Philip Harlow
Just saw your PSA on News4 San Antonio. Thank you so much for this PSA. I had no idea Texas offered such a program. I have PTSD, and I can easily see an interaction with a cop going wrong. Texas cops are hard as_. I doesn’t help that one almost killed me with his great big assault rifle.