In The Politics of Autism, I discuss the day-to-day challenges facing autistic people and their families -- as well as efforts to mitigate them. One challenge is that autism is an "invisible disability," which does not have obvious physical markers.
DMV Legal Affairs Division (LAD) determined that non-physical, mental, and developmental disabilities, such as autism or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), may substantially impair or interfere with mobility and are eligible for a DP placard. However, these disabilities require the medical provider to certify the disability substantially impairs or interferes with mobility.
Descriptions that only contain abbreviations (such as, R60.9) or only list symptoms (such as, trouble walking) require further explanation.
Examples of acceptable descriptions include, but are not limited to:Parkinson’s disease
- Arthritis of ankle and foot
- Congestive heart failure
- Diabetes mellitus with peripheral vascular disease
- Autism
- PTSD
Politics Girl (Leigh McGowan):
Here’s how you tell if someone is disabled or not… pic.twitter.com/hPJ1L0Ferx
— PoliticsGirl (@IAmPoliticsGirl) July 18, 2025
