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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Question about Autism..
I went to a doctor's office today, and I noticed a sign on the street that said:
'Autistic child area...'
Is that necessary? If so, why?
I've seen "Deaf Child Area' before but I was somewhat surprised to see this sign...
Can someone shed some light?
Message edited 5/22/2008 11:14:14 PM.
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Posted 5/22/08 11:07 PM  |
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donegal419
St. Gerard, pray for us.
Member since 7/07 7650 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Question about Autism..
it depends on the severity of the autism. some more severely austitic children are extremely sensitive to noise and light and other sensory input. also, some are non-verbal and would need help communicating needs if there was an emergency.
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| Posted 5/22/08 11:14 PM |
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ReiRei13
Life is Good!!
Member since 1/08 6460 total posts
Name:
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Re: Question about Autism..
Never knew a sign like that existed! Guess its a GREAT thing!
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| Posted 5/22/08 11:17 PM |
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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Re: Question about Autism..
Posted by donegal419
it depends on the severity of the autism. some more severely austitic children are extremely sensitive to noise and light and other sensory input. also, some are non-verbal and would need help communicating needs if there was an emergency.
that makes sense. thanks for answering!
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| Posted 5/22/08 11:22 PM |
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Re: Question about Autism..
Also a child with autism might not respond the way a typically developing child would if you were to beep the horn (if they were running into the street) or something like that. The child might not look both ways before crossing the street, and might have some abnormal/odd behaviors related to under- or overstimulation.
I once worked with a child who LOVED to run his fingers along concrete. So he'd always be reaching for the sidewalks or bending down in the streets to feel the ground.
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| Posted 5/22/08 11:44 PM |
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donegal419
St. Gerard, pray for us.
Member since 7/07 7650 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Question about Autism..
Posted by carolinep24
that makes sense. thanks for answering!
No problem....
if you're seeing a sign like that, that child is most likely very impaired.
my friend lives next to a little boy who is completely non-verbal and still has to wear diapers at 15. he cannot do much for himself nor communicate in any meaningful fashion. this sign is on their block.
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| Posted 5/22/08 11:44 PM |
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PreshusSmurf
So in love with my little guys
Member since 1/07 2963 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: Question about Autism..
I have seen these signs before ... my assumption was that children with autism sometimes have a tendency to run off (away from a group), so drivers should be extra cautious while in the area.
Thanks to those who posted the *real* reasons 
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| Posted 5/23/08 1:12 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Question about Autism..
Previous discussion about the signs on the Parenting forum:
http://www.lifamilies.com/chat/topic.aspx?ID=281071
I mentioned it on the other thread, but I still think there needs to be more education for the general population. Even here, it's very obvious that people who WANT to know about it, have no idea how to react to/with a child with autism. For the vast majority of drivers, the sign doesn't mean much, unfortunately. Everyone knows that a blind person can't see, and a deaf person can't hear, but very few know about autism.
I'm not dismissing the signs, or saying they shouldn't be up, just that I wish there was more education for the general populace to know how to respond.
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| Posted 5/23/08 7:46 AM |
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nyteacher13
Three Under Four!!! :-)
Member since 8/06 6405 total posts
Name:
~ THERESA ~
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Re: Question about Autism..
Yes, it's necessary for students with Autism, depending on the level of Autism they have.
I think it's AMAZING how far we've come as a society to create a sign like that - it makes me SO happy that we're recognizing kids with Autism and safety.
What bothers me a/b the sign is that it says, "AUTISTIC CHILD AREA." and not "CHILDREN WITH AUTISM." I know they probably had to write it short and sweet, but it really should be written in person-first language.
Nevertheless, great question OP!!!
Theresa 
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| Posted 5/23/08 9:30 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Question about Autism..
Posted by nyteacher13
Yes, it's necessary for students with Autism, depending on the level of Autism they have.
I think it's AMAZING how far we've come as a society to create a sign like that - it makes me SO happy that we're recognizing kids with Autism and safety.
What bothers me a/b the sign is that it says, "AUTISTIC CHILD AREA." and not "CHILDREN WITH AUTISM." I know they probably had to write it short and sweet, but it really should be written in person-first language.
Nevertheless, great question OP!!!
Theresa
Road signs need to be given a little leniency with language. Most signs are not proper English. To make all signs read properly, the font needs to be smaller, so it's harder to read, thus defeating the purpose of the sign.
"One Way ->" isn't a proper sign, either.
ITA about everything else, though. We as a society still have a long way to go, but at least we seem to be making progress.
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| Posted 5/23/08 9:37 AM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Question about Autism..
Posted by carolinep24
Posted by donegal419
it depends on the severity of the autism. some more severely austitic children are extremely sensitive to noise and light and other sensory input. also, some are non-verbal and would need help communicating needs if there was an emergency.
that makes sense. thanks for answering!
Yes I was going to say that sometimes children with sensory issues can become rather agitated with sounds. If a person were to honk a horn, a child with autism may cover their ears and become very upset.
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| Posted 5/23/08 9:50 AM |
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