Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara announced the passage of another piece of his Autism Action Plan with unanimous support in both the Assembly and the Senate today. The bill (A.249-C) makes New York’s FIRST Autism ID Card available to families and individuals affected by autism.

Santabarbara’s legislation creates an optional identification card that describes some of the common challenges a person with autism may face, such as difficulty with interpersonal communication and responding to directions or the potential for physical agitation during certain stressful situations, and also includes emergency contact information. Currently, a variety of organizations and localities throughout the state provide a variety of unofficial versions of such a card. However, these existing options do not have standardized language or appearance, and may not be easily recognized by first responders. This would be the first standardized identification card of its kind in New York State, replacing locally issued identifications and homemade notes.

First responders will be trained to recognize the card through a companion bill that was passed earlier this year to establish New York State’s FIRST Autism Training Program for First Responders that provides the necessary training to police officers and first responders for interactions and emergency situations involving individuals with autism spectrum and related disorders (A.223).

“This bill offers another communication tool to help to easily and efficiently communicate a person’s diagnosis and other critical information during emergencies and other social interactions,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara, who’s 16 year old son, Michael, was diagnosed with autism at age 3 and has limited communication skills. “Together with the critical training that helps first responders learn to recognize the signs of autism, my legislation puts everyone on the same page by creating a standardized communication tool that gives first responders the information they need,” Santabarbara added. “This legislative session has been a big win for my Autism Action Plan with a number of bills now on their way to the Governor’s desk.”

Santabarbara renewed his call for passage of these bills following a police body camera video showing how an encounter with a 14 year old teen with autism "stimming" turned into a situation that rapidly escalated.

Watch Police Body Camera Video Here: https://youtu.be/uErofKXMwq0

The latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention brings autism to 1 in every 59 children born each year in the United States. As more children, teens, and adults are impacted by ASD, police and other first responders could see more interactions in the future.

Santabarbara, who is chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Autism Spectrum Disorder, has been a vocal advocate for New Yorkers with disabilities. He authored a package of bills in the State Assembly called Autism Action NY designed to support people with autism. These bills in addition to a third bill passed this year as part of Santabarbara Autism Action Plan will provide early screening for autism at 18 and 24 months in New York State as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.