Thousands of restaurants, bridges, and retail stores, along with iconic landmarks around the world will "Light it Up Blue" on April 2nd and throughout the month to highlight World Autism Awareness Day and World Autism Month.
Autism Speaks encourages you to get involved too. It’s likely that you know someone with autism; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates autism’s prevalence as 1 in every 68 children in the United States.
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. We now know that there is not one autism but many types, caused by different combinations of genetic and environmental influences.
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Autism’s most obvious signs tend to appear between 2 and 3 years of age. In some cases, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Autism Speaks encourages parents with concerns to seek evaluation without delay, as early intervention can improve outcomes.
Around one third of people with autism remain nonverbal. Around one third of people with autism have an intellectual disability. Certain medical and mental health issues frequently accompany autism. They include gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures, sleep disturbances, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and phobias.
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But the “Light It Up Blue” campaign is about more than awareness. Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing understanding and acceptance of autism.
Here is how you can help “Light It Up Blue” to increase understanding and acceptance of autism on World Autism Day (April 2nd) and throughout World Autism Month in April:
• Find out how much you know about autism. Take the the Light It Up Blue Quiz.
• Share support of Light It Up Blue by posting a photo of yourself, loved one, child or even your pet wearing blue. Use #LightItUpBlue and tag @AutismSpeaks.
• Check out Autism Speaks’ nationwide calendar of autism-friendly friendly events and activities in April.
Will you join the world and "Light It Up Blue" for World Autism Month this April? For more information, visit autismspeaks.org/liub.
