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

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

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Edwards, C., Love, A., 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
Publisher source (DOI) Full text OpenAlex source

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Authors

Publication authors
5
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 5 (20.0%)
  1. Chris Edwards *
  2. Abigail 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.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 2 Oct 2026 07:53.

Cited references
35
With a DOI
31
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
4
10 / 35 (28.6%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
4 / 35 (11.4%)
References with detected author names
31 / 35 (88.6%)
Without detected author names
4
Without a structured title
3
Without a stable identifier
4
References with raw author names still to review
3
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
114
From DOI or external metadata
114
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
3
72 / 114 (63.2%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 42 / 114 (36.8%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
16 / 114 (14.0%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 16 / 72 (22.2%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 11 / 94 (11.7%).
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