Mar 20, 2007 6:41 pm US/Central
Street Signs Advise Of Autistic Children
by Jeanette Trompeter
Rochester, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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Families who want a sign have to pay $200 and complete an application with the Rochester City Council.
WCCO
The city of Rochester, Minn. has about 160 autistic kids and the city is now offering signs for families of autistic children, something no other place in the country is doing.
Children with the neurological disease have difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication. Families of these children want to keep their kids safe.
Brad Trahan has been pushing for the signs for two years because his 6-year-old son Reece is autistic. Trahan said he worries about his son running out into the street.
"They could dart out into the road ... they dart and dash and they don't process the horn. When a horn honks they're not going to process that," said Trahan
Trahan said the signs could also warn emergency personal that there's a child with a disability in the home.
"It's not uncommon for them to be scared, to go into a closet, to go under a bed, hide wherever they want to be, that could be critical minutes for saving a life," said Trahan
Julie and David Eberhart also have a sign outside their home because their 7-year-old son Ryan is autistic. The Eberhart's think the sign allows Ryan to be a kid but Julie Eberhart does worry the signs could pose a danger.
"We always had a concern that if the sign was out that maybe predators would take that sign and start thinking wow, here's an easy target," said Julie Eberhart.
Families who want a sign have to pay $200 and complete an application with the Rochester City Council.
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