South School Lights Up With Blue For Autism

recognized Autism Awareness Day on Monday by having students, teachers and staff wear blue.

On April 2, World Autism Day, the community was encouraged to shine blue lights to help shine a light on autism.

Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism advocacy organization dedicated to funding autism research, had pushed the ‘Light it Up Blue’ campaign around the world and iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building, the Sydney Opera House, and Great Buddha at Hyogo all shined with blue lights on Monday and South School in Hingham did the same.  

With help of the school psychologist Liz Costanza and principal Eliza Burns, the Hingham elementary school had blue light bulbs shining in the main foyer. 

They also posted a “Light It Up Blue’ banner across the main hallway.  

“It’s all about inclusion, acceptance and respect for those who have autism,” Burns said.  

On Monday while students, teachers and staff members wore blue, the South School special education teachers dressed in Autism Awareness t-shirts and one first grader, Niahm Fitzsimons even painted her face blue to show strong support for the growing public health concern that is autism.  

As part of Autism Awareness Day, South Elementary School teachers also read stories from their library about the acceptance of autistic students and others with developmental disabilities. Last week, the school also posted new facts about autism in their daily bulletin.

Autism Facts:

• Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys.
• An estimated 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States.
• More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined.
• Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
• Autism costs the nation $126 billion per year.
• Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases.
• Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism.
• There is no medical detection or cure for autism.
• Research now suggests that children as young as 1 year old can show signs of autism.

If your baby shows any of these signs, please ask your pediatrician or family practitioner for an immediate evaluation: 

• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter.
• No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or thereafter.
• No babbling by 12 months.
• No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months.
• No words by 16 months.
• No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months.
• Any loss of speech or babbling or social skills at any age.

Source: Autism Speaks