Sign to warn motorists of disabled child
Believed first in WNY
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Eight-year-old Sawyer Aston's parents know that a lot of hard work goes into protecting their children, and sometimes they can't do it alone.

Diagnosed with autism, Sawyer is considered very low functioning, his mother, Kim, said. He lacks the ability to make his own decisions when it comes to safety.

"If he ever got out of the yard he would bolt into the street; he has no concept of danger," she said.

Kim's husband, David, thought it would be a good idea to put a sign on their street, Sargent Drive, warning motorists of an autistic child living there.

To their surprise, and delight, the Amherst Traffic and Safety Committee was responsive to the idea.

Committee Chairman Larry Hunter said David came to a meeting with Sawyer approximately nine months ago, inquiring if installing such a sign was possible.

"When they came in it helped me better understand what autism is about," Hunter said. "We researched the issue with the Autism Society of America and contacted other communities that had done this."

Through the research, the committee discovered only one other sign is recorded in New York and that is on Long Island.

The sign, which was installed the morning of June 27 near 65 Sargent Drive, has the same design as a school bus warning sign and reads, "Child with autism area."

Hunter said the committee learned through its research that autism affects many families; reportedly one in every 150 school-age children have some symptom of the disease.

In Sawyer's case he may appear an average child to a passing motorist, but what's not visible is how he would react to an approaching car, Hunter said.

"We feel this is an important step, the first step to help educate the community and make it safer," he said. "It was the right thing to do. The sign will be used to better educate the public and make them more aware of this problem."

Sargent Drive is located near Smallwood Elementary School, which becomes busy with school traffic, Kim said.

"We would like people to be more cautious, even if they are going the speed limit, to be aware," she said.

Although the family has installed a fence, and Sawyer does have a monitoring device on his ankle, the Astons recognize that one day he may unlatch the gate.

"This is another precaution for us, to keep him safe in the neighborhood," Kim said.

The Astons also have a daughter, Madison, 10.

When the family was notified that the sign had been approved they contacted their neighbors, who were extremely responsive, Kim said. She added that many offered their lot as a location for a sign.

Hunter said this is the start of a program that could allow parents who have children with disabilities to have warning signs in their neighborhood.

"We feel we can make drivers aware, to watch out for certain things in certain areas," he said. "This is a chance to educate the community concerning this disability."

(Editor's note: The Amherst Bee attended the installation of the sign and will print the photo in the July 4 edition.)