People with autism or any other communication disorder often have a difficult time communicating with police during a traffic stop or any other encounter. So on Friday, county and state government leaders gathered to announce new guidance for police officers to better understand how to interact appropriately with those on the spectrum.

State Attorney General Matt Platkin said the goal is “to make it so that our law enforcement officers are equipped with information about the individual they’re encountering, and the training … to recognize signs of people on the autism spectrum and how to respond to them in a clinically appropriate way.”

The officials also announced the rollout of a program enacted in 2023 that allows anyone with autism spectrum disorder or any other communication diagnosis to voluntarily indicate it on their driver license or other state-issued ID.

“By making these pink Code 5 description cards available, we at the Motor Vehicle Commission are pleased to do our part to bridge potential communication gaps that may arise between law enforcement and those with autism spectrum disorder or a communication disorder,” said Latrecia Littles-Floyd, acting chief administrator of the state Motor Vehicle Commission.

Sarah Adelman, commissioner of the state Department of Human Services, said: “This is really a three-prong approach, rolling out the changes to driver licenses and state IDs, and the pink ID cards along with the law enforcement training. At the same time, we’re working with our stakeholders in the community — like Autism New Jersey and the Speech Language Association — to make sure that individuals across New Jersey who have a communication disorder, or their families, are aware of how to access these new resources.”

Former Tewksbury Police Chief Tim Barlow’s son is on the spectrum and now old enough to drive, and the father shared how he’s worked over the last several years to roll out another, similar program called Blue Envelope that started in Connecticut.

“The envelope itself, the front has instructions for the driver, what they should expect during traffic stop or interaction with an officer,” Barlow said. “The back has instructions for the officer, gives them guidance on how they should act to deescalate the situation.”

Barlow said he is working with state Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio (R-Morris) and state Sen. Doug Steinhardt (R-Warren) on a bill that would make the Blue Envelope program available to anyone who walks into any police station or motor vehicle location. That bill has not yet advanced.