Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown announced today that the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, Parks and Streets has begun installing “Child with Autism” signage along roadways in several neighborhoods. The purpose of the sign is to warn motorists to be especially alert for children with autism, who may have difficulty perceiving the danger of oncoming traffic in the streets surrounding their home.
Mayor Brown stated, “From my earliest days in office, I have made traffic safety in neighborhoods citywide a priority. As we continue to build an autism-friendly community, where no one is left out and no one is left behind, these new signs will give parents and guardians some peace of mind, knowing that drivers will be made aware of special children and take extra precautions when they are in an area used by people with autism.”
Similar to “Blind Child” or “Deaf Child” signs, the “Child with Autism” sign warns motorists that there is a child in the area with a disability who might not be as aware of traffic dangers as other youth. State regulations were recently amended to allow for the signage if the following conditions exist: the child with autism is under the age of 18, the child lives in a home on a residential street where the average daily traffic volume is less than 2,000 vehicles, the speed limit is 35 mph or less, and the parent/guardian provides a note from a medical professional documenting the medical necessity of the sign for the child.
Mayor Brown continued, “Children with autism are often unpredictable, jetting out into the street at any given time. Our hope is that when motorists are made aware that a neighborhood has autistic children, they will slow down and take extra precautions.”
Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulty in social interaction, communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior.
Any parent or guardian of a child diagnosed on the Autism spectrum may complete the application for a “Child with Autism” sign.
Per State guidelines, a letter of medical necessity from your child’s doctor is also required, verifying that the sign you are requesting is for the safety of a medical condition. Applications for the City’s approved roadway warning signs for children with disabilities, which also include “Blind Child” or “Deaf Child” signs, are available at www.buffalony.gov or by calling 311.