and finally tonight breaking down invisible barriers New Jersey will now allow people with Autism Spectrum Disorder to note their diagnosis on a state ID or driver's license it's a new law aimed at minimizing complications that can happen when someone with autism is stopped by police it's all an effort to prevent misunderstandings during a stop from escalating into a dangerous situation Melissa Rose Cooper reports if you've ever been stopped you know you know how stressful that situation is now add to it someone who gets nervous or doesn't understand cues or you know has difficulty communicating um or just simply you know following Direction it's a very difficult situation that's why Tracy Noble of AAA Mid-Atlantic is applauding new legislation that would allow new jerseyans who are Autistic or those who have a communication disorder to request their diagnosis be listed on their driver's license or state ID Governor Murphy signed the measure into law this week after receiving bipartisan approval in both the assembly and Senate it's about protecting our most vulnerable populations assemblywoman auradon was one of the Bill's key sponsors the law also has personal meaning for her having a brother who's autistic we were shopping at Costco actually and we said we separated he wanted to go down one or aisle he loves um the the nuts and candy aisle and I said well I'm gonna go check out the the furniture and next thing I know I'm getting a call on my cell phone a number that I didn't recognize and it was actually the police department uh someone had complained to the manager that um it appeared that there was a man in the aisle that looked like he was on drugs thankfully my brother had you know he knows my my number by heart because he himself didn't have a cell phone with him and um spoke with the police officer and they were able to track me down in the store and really um uh you know defuse the situation that could have gone worse Tim rohrera has autism and agrees the law is a step in the right direction it's a great way for police officers to know that someone has autism when they're pulled over so they can like talk to the individual in a softer voice and accommodate there are other needs anytime there's interaction with law enforcement first impressions are absolutely critical sometimes individuals with autism and their symptoms may look like something suspicious there may be too much eye contact not enough eye contact they may speak too slowly or too quickly and so they really just need a way for law enforcement officers to understand that those behaviors are a function of their autism and not any wrongdoing on their part the law goes into effect in December next year for NJ Spotlight news I'm Melissa Rose Cooper [Music] [Music]