‘Just knowing it’s there gives me comfort’: Exploring the benefits and challenges of autism alert cards

Metadata sources used for this reference

OpenAlex Crossref OpenCitations
Learn more about the sources used

Edwards, C., Love, A. M., Flower, R. L., Cai, R. Y., & Gibbs, V. (2024). ‘Just knowing it’s there gives me comfort’: Exploring the benefits and challenges of autism alert cards. Autism, 29(3), 673-683. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241286025

Publication date: 18 Oct 2024 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
OpenAlex source Publisher source (DOI) Full text

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
5
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 5 (20.0%)
  1. Chris Edwards *
  2. Abigail M.A. Love
  3. Rebecca L. Flower
  4. Ru Ying Cai
  5. Vicki Gibbs

Abstract

This study explores the experiences and outcomes associated with the use of an autism alert card, developed to assist with the complexities of autism disclosure. A mixed-methods approach was employed, surveying 272 Australian participants, including 136 Autistic adults, 128 parents or caregivers of Autistic children and eight Autistic children. Our research aimed to understand who is using the alert card, in what contexts and the differences in perceptions of the card between Autistic individuals and their parents. Findings indicate that about half of the participants used the card, primarily in public settings such as transport (17%), healthcare (16%) and retail (16%). The card was seen as a valuable tool for facilitating communication, reducing the need for verbal explanations and providing a sense of security. However, challenges were reported, including societal disbelief, patronising attitudes and internalised stigma, highlighting the need for greater public education on autism. Despite these challenges, majority of participants (76.2%) would recommend the card. This research underscores the dual nature of autism alert cards as both beneficial and limited by societal attitudes, emphasising the need for comprehensive training and awareness programmes to maximise their effectiveness.Lay abstractThis study looks at how people use and feel about autism alert cards, which help Autistic people communicate their diagnosis/identity. We surveyed 272 Australian people, including 136 Autistic adults, 128 parents of Autistic children and eight Autistic children. About half of the participants used the card after ordering it, mostly in public places such as public transport, healthcare settings and in retail settings. People found the card helpful because it made it easier to explain their needs without having to speak and provided them a sense of security. However, some people treated Autistic people poorly after being shown the card due to a lack of understanding about autism. Many participants felt that more education about autism is needed to improve how people react to the alert card. Despite these challenges, most participants (76.2%) would recommend the alert card to others. This research shows that while autism alert cards can be very helpful, their effectiveness depends on how well other people understand and accept autism. To make these cards work better, we need more training and awareness programmes for the general public and professionals such as doctors or police officers who may interact with Autistic people.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Bibliography inclusion overview

These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:30.

Cited references
35
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
8 / 35 (22.9%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
14 / 114 (12.3%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 14 / 61 (23.0%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 9 / 95 (9.5%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
61 / 114 (53.5%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 46 / 95 (48.4%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
47 / 61 (77.0%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 47 / 114 (41.2%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 37 / 46 (80.4%).
  1. (2016). Successful qualitative research: A practical guide for beginners . QMiP Bulletin, 1(21), 48-50. British Psychological Society.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.53841/bpsqmip.2016.1.21.48 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1525564204
    OpenAlex
  2. Clare Allely , David Murphy (2023). Autistic Suspects in Police Custody . In Autism and Criminal Justice (pp. 29-44). Routledge.
    Type: Book chapter DOI: 10.4324/9781003248774-3 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4364361129
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  3. Yunhe Huang , Ye In Hwang , Samuel R. C. Arnold , Lauren P. Lawson , Amanda L. Richdale , Julian N Trollor (2022). Autistic Adults’ Experiences of Diagnosis Disclosure . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52(12), 5301-5307. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05384-z OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4206778082
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  4. Virginia Braun , Victoria Clarke (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology . Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1979290264
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  5. Jillian E. Austin , Ratka Galijot , W. Hobart Davies (2018). Evaluating Parental Autism Disclosure Strategies . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(1), 103-109. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3302-2 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2755782536
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  6. Katie L. Maras , Dermot M. Bowler (2014). Eyewitness Testimony in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(11), 2682-2697. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1502-3 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1979980060
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  7. Jillian E. Austin , Vanessa L. Zinke , W. Hobart Davies (2016). Influencing Perception About Children with Autism and their Parents Using Disclosure Cards . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(8), 2764-2769. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2821-6 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2419143483
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  8. Keren MacLennan , Catherine Woolley , Emily andsensory , Brett Heasman , Jess Starns , Becky George et al. (2023). “It Is a Big Spider Web of Things”: Sensory Experiences of Autistic Adults in Public Spaces . Autism in Adulthood, 5(4), 411-422. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1089/aut.2022.0024 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4297473207
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  9. Lisa Richardson , Julie Beadle-Brown , Jill Bradshaw , Colin Guest , Aida Malovic , Julian Himmerich (2016). “I felt that I deserved it” – experiences and implications of disability hate crime . Tizard Learning Disability Review, 21(2), 80-88. Emerald.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1108/tldr-03-2015-0010 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2285661588
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  10. Autism Association of Western Australia. (n.d.). Autism alert card. https://www.autism.org.au/resource-library/autism-alert-card/
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  13. Armita Farsinejad , Ailsa Russell , Catherine Butler (2022). Autism disclosure – The decisions autistic adults make . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 93, 101936. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2022.101936 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4212904997
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  15. Sally Lindsay , Victoria Osten , Mana Rezai , Sunny Bui (2021). Disclosure and workplace accommodations for people with autism: a systematic review . Disability and Rehabilitation, 43(5), 597-610. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2019.1635658 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2953880694
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  16. Noah J. Sasson , Kerrianne E Morrison (2019). First impressions of adults with autism improve with diagnostic disclosure and increased autism knowledge of peers . Autism, 23(1), 50-59. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361317729526 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2766361726
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  17. Kerrianne E Morrison , Kilee M. DeBrabander , Daniel J Faso , Noah J. Sasson (2019). Variability in first impressions of autistic adults made by neurotypical raters is driven more by characteristics of the rater than by characteristics of autistic adults . Autism, 23(7), 1817-1829. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361318824104 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2922100205
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  18. Braun V. (2013). Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners . Successful qualitative research: A practical guide for beginners.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  19. Emeline Han , Katrina Scior , Kana Grace , Eric Heath , Simone Dufresne , Laura Crane (2024). ‘Who, When, How to Share’: Pilot study of a new disclosure decision-making programme for autistic adults . Autism, 28(8), 2090-2104. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/13623613231221685 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4391716736
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  20. Virginia Braun , Victoria Clarke (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis . Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 589-597. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/2159676x.2019.1628806 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2950504429
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  21. Kirsten Corden , Rebecca Brewer , Eilidh Cage (2022). A Systematic Review of Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge, Self-Efficacy and Attitudes Towards Working with Autistic People . Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 9(3), 386-399. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s40489-021-00263-w OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3163025874
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  22. Sandy Thompson-Hodgetts , Chantal Labonte , Rinita Mazumder , Shanon Phelan (2020). Helpful or harmful? A scoping review of perceptions and outcomes of autism diagnostic disclosure to others . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 77, 101598. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101598 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3038469061
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  23. Davis P. P. (2021). Autism spectrum disorder identification card programs: Public attitude and themes [Doctoral dissertation Valdosta State University]. Vtext Repository. https://vtext.valdosta.edu/xmlui/handle/10428/5007
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  25. Mary Doherty * , Clair Haydon , I. A. Davidson (2021). Recognising autism in healthcare . British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 82(12), 1-7. IMR Press.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.12968/hmed.2021.0313 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4200207351
    AutiHub · Autistic Scholars Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  26. Katie Logos , Neil Brewer , Robyn L Young (2021). Countering Biased Judgments of Individuals Who Display Autism-Characteristic Behavior in Forensic Settings . Human Communication Research, 47(3), 215-247. Oxford University Press (OUP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1093/hcr/hqab002 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3153859526
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  29. Anna Melissa Romualdez , Zachary Walker , Anna Remington (2021). Autistic adults’ experiences of diagnostic disclosure in the workplace: Decision-making and factors associated with outcomes . Autism & Developmental Language Impairments, 6, 23969415211022955-23969415211022955. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/23969415211022955 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3171777987
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  30. Philippa L Howard , Felicity Sedgewick (2021). ‘Anything but the phone!’: Communication mode preferences in the autism community . Autism, 25(8), 2265-2278. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/13623613211014995 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3176767872
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  32. Emeline Han , Katrina Scior , Katerina Avramides , Laura Crane (2022). A systematic review on autistic people's experiences of stigma and coping strategies . Autism Research, 15(1), 12-26. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.2652 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4200200179
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  33. Melissa A. Sreckovic , Christine K. Kenney , Matthew Wallace (2023). Autism Training for Law Enforcement Officers: A Scoping Review . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 53(10), 3835-3846. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05692-y OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4289836681
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  34. John Jamieson , Virginia Braun , Victoria Clarke (2014). Successful Qualitative Research: A practical guide for beginners . QMiP Bulletin, 1(18), 39-41. British Psychological Society.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.53841/bpsqmip.2014.1.18.39 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4364348136
    OpenAlex
  35. National Autistic Society. (n.d.). I am autistic card. https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/resources/downloads/i-am-autistic
    Type: Other
    Crossref