Alabama Autism Safety Initiative addresses the need for statewide safety measures:
Autism Traffic Signs Provides a Safety Net for those on the Spectrum
Montgomery, Ala.—Many people living with autism have no danger awareness or the cognitive or sensory ability to process it. They live and navigate through neighborhoods and streets without proper signage alerting neighbors and drivers of the necessary safety precautions to keep them safe.
The autism traffic signs are a component of the Alabama Autism Safety Initiative that causes drivers to act while spreading autism awareness. D.A.T.S.M.O.M. Founder Tametria Conner Dantzler says the organization will partner with city and county traffic divisions across the state to construct and display a specific number of autism safety signage in neighborhoods were those on the spectrum reside.
“We want drivers to first be aware that a person on the spectrum lives on their street and in their neighborhood. Then we want the driver to proceed with caution and understand if they see that person walking in the neighborhood, they may need to be on alert,” Dantzler said.
Many children and adults on the spectrum are “runners” and will bolt into the street without the understanding to look for oncoming traffic. Several are often fixated on certain objects, people or places and will dart out to get to those objects or people without the ability to recognize or understand danger. The sound of a vehicle horn may not be a signal, but a trigger that ignites anxiety and disorientation.
D.A.T.S.M.O.M. will help traffic division officials facilitate sign requests and identify areas where signs should be displayed.
To request a sign in your neighborhood, please complete and submit the form below. Paper forms will be mailed to families without access to technology. Please call our office at 334-669-6590 for more information.
