Blue Envelope Makes Traffic Stops With Autistic Community Less Stressful

WEST GOSHEN, Pennsylvania -- There is a new way for those on the autism spectrum and with other special needs to communicate with police and first responders.

A voluntary program is designed primarily for the individual with autism to hand a police officer at a traffic stop or accident scene a “Blue Envelope,” which is now available at most Chester County police departments.

Drivers with autism are able to place their driver’s license, registration and insurance cards, along with their emergency contacts within a bright blue envelope and hand it to an officer at a sometimes tension-filled traffic stop.

A driver can hand a Blue Envelope to police officer at a traffic stop to let them know that they have special needs. ( BILL RETTEW/ MEDIANEWS GROUP)

On the front of the envelope is listed tips for the driver and reminders for police on how to treat someone with special needs. There is also a spot for the driver to list whether they are verbal or nonverbal.

The Blue Envelope is designed to reduce anxiety for the person with special needs and create empathy and patience for the officer, while streamlining the process.

When a driver with autism gets pulled over they are advised to keep their hands on the steering wheel until otherwise directed, that the officer may shine a flashlight into the car and may have a radio and flashing lights on their car.

The person with special needs is also told that when the officer gets to their car to let the officer know they have a Blue Envelope, answer the officer’s questions, before moving any body parts ask the officer if it’s Ok and hand the officer the Blue Envelope.

For the officer: The driver may exhibit signs of anxiety because of bright lights and noises such as the radio, the driver may display repetitive body movements or fidgeting or may have unusual eye contact, to speak clearly and use the most simplistic explanations possible and limit unnecessary details.

Also, allow the driver extra time to respond, the driver may need time to formulate a response, clearly tell the driver when the stop is over and they can leave, and if the driver becomes upset, consider contacting the person listed on the contact card.

West Goshen Police Department Chief Michael Carroll, the Chester County Police Chiefs Association and the Chester County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #11 helped to roll out the program in Chester County.

Chief Carroll said that officers benefit from having more information about the driver and the driver is able to read the directions when pulled over, because all the information is in one place.

Zach Stehle is autistic and drives. He was once pulled over for driving too slowly and welcomes using the Blue Envelope if he is ever stopped again.

“If I ever get pulled over again, I can give the Blue Envelope,” Stehle said. “If I’m fidgeting or stammering, he knows that I won’t look suspicious.

“This way it makes things less complicated and it lets the police officer do his job. I don’t want to make things more difficult for the police officer.”

Stehle said he wants to make sure the officer doesn’t think he is driving drunk.

“I don’t want the situation to get misinterpreted or complicated. It gives us and the officer instructions on what to do– a guide on how to proceed.

“I deeply respect the police department and what they do and want to give them the tools and the training for the things they don’t know about or things they have to be careful about.

“Knowledge is power. If you have the knowledge and how to proceed, it makes it less stressful.”

Zach’s mother, Cheryl Stehle, is the founder of Autism Toolbox Training and is trying to spread the Blue Envelope program to all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Bucks, Montgomery, Tioga, Monroe, Lehigh, Northhampton and Chester counties have embraced the program and Stehle is working with Philadelphia and Delaware to bring the program to those counties. She said that each county has to individually buy in and pay to print the envelopes.

When the autistic turn 22, they age out of the public school system. Along with Gov. Shapiro, and her partner Jamiel Owens, Stehle developed a CLEE approved program through MPOETC that provides training for first responders.

Already in Chester County, law enforcement, the attorney general’s office, first responders, fire fighters, Chester County Juvenile Protection Department and the community have been trained.

“You need to be ready just in case,” said Cheryl Stehle. “We are advocating for the Blue Envelope and training for First Responders.”

She is also pushing to allow autistic persons to list on their driver’s licenses that they have a communication impairment. So far, 37 states allow some kind of a designation.

Cheryl Stehle noted that one of every 31 youth is diagnosed with autism.

“Autism is a spectrum,” she said. “No two people are exactly the same.”

State Senator Carolyn Comitta is working on the state level to spread the word.

“The Blue Envelope Program is another example of our commitment to ensuring that Chester County remains a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for people of all abilities,” Comitta said. “People with autism and other communications challenges have a great deal to offer our communities.

“This program helps foster understanding and avoid confusion in their interactions with police. I want to thank all the autism advocates who helped bring this program to our region, as well as Chester County FOP Lodge #11 and the Chester County Police Chiefs Association for sponsoring it. We appreciate the work of our law enforcement professionals in treating everyone with fairness, compassion, and respect.”

State Rep. Dan Williams has been a major proponent for the Blue Envelope.

“I’m very happy that Chester County is joining other counties across the commonwealth and law enforcement across the country in adapting the Blue Envelope Program,” he said. “Alleviating anxiety and communication struggles for those with Autism or other intellectual disabilities while interacting with law enforcement helps the individual.

“This initiative creates a simple yet powerful tool that helps officers recognize and appropriately respond to individuals with communication challenges during traffic stops, ultimately enhancing safety for everyone involved. It helps them get through that interaction with the police officer safely, with less trauma or less anxiety.”

Zach Stehle is 26 years old and has been working at the Exton Giant Market for eight years. He now serves as a personal shopper and has worked as a cart collector, cashier, and at the help desk. He was awarded the “Employee of the Year.”

He reads Sci Fi, fantasy, comics and history books. He roots for the Eagles and the home teams. He jumps on a trampoline after work to burn off energy and loves his pet cat “Piper” and dogs “Tilly” and “Mallie.” Zach enjoys spending time with his parents, brother and sister. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School. He earned a General Studies Degree from Delaware County Community College. He likes to write Sci Fi and Fantasy prose for fun.

Autism Training will take place October 7 at Avon Grove High School, 10 Waltman Way, West Grove, from 6 to 8 p.m. and is open to the community. The contact person for the presentation is Christa Schoen. Her email is [email protected] or call 610-869-2644 ext 40103.

For more information, go to www.autismtoolboxtraining.com

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