Every April, Autism Speaks kicks off World Autism Month beginning with UN-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.

Joined by the international community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings and communities around the world, light blue in recognition of people living with autism. Autism-friendly events and educational activities take place all month to increase understanding and acceptance and foster worldwide support.

Autism currently affects 1 in 68 children in the United States, according to newly released statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). More than 70 million people around the world are affected by the disorder. 

World Autism Awareness Day pus a spotlight on the hurdles that people with autism face every day & celebrates the unique talents of those with autism. 

This Tuesday Evening, thousands of landmarks, businesses, and communities in more than 147 countries will join to mark the Ninth annual LIGHT IT UP BLUE campaign and raise global awareness of autism spectrum disorder. 

More than 11,000 buildings are joining the campaign in a show of support World Autism Awareness Day was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 to focus on autism as a global health issue and to support, empower and enhance the well-being of people on the autism spectrum and their families. The goal is to increase knowledge about autism spectrum disorder and the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention.
 

Participating landmarks include: One World Trade Center and Rockefeller Center in New York City; CN Tower in Canada, the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal in Egypt, Taipei 101 in Taiwan, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Shanghai Tower in China, Sydney Opera House in Australia, and the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.

Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. Its Light It Up Blue campaign marks the start of Autism Awareness Month in April. Dignitaries from around the world will also mark the occasion by gathering at the United Nations for a panel discussion on autism.

You can read more about the Light It Up Blue campaign here:
https://www.autismspeaks.org/ 

The annual Autism Speaks Los Angeles Walk will Take place Sat, 4/27 at the Pasadena Rose bowl. To Participate, donate and more Info click here: 
https://act.autismspeaks.org/site/SPageServer/?NONCE_TOKEN=470B1693722A076AB7436AE5A4D8256B&pagename=walk_homepage