April kicks off World Autism Awareness Month with the St. Louis design and construction industry lending a hand in giving St. Louis a distinct “blue hue.” On April 2, 2017, St. Louis will join Autism Speaks’ worldwide “Light it up Blue” awareness campaign by lighting numerous structures and landmarks blue. Companies and organizations participating in the effort by either lighting their office or assisting in lighting structures include HOK, Illuminating Engineering Society St. Louis; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1; Lighting Associates, Inc., and St. Louis Lighting Group. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism is diagnosed in one out of 68 children.
To date, local structures and landmarks that will be lit blue on April 2nd include:
- James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 union hall in South St. Louis
- Express Scripts in North St. Louis County
- The Magic House, Kirkwood
- Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis, 13,700 Manchester Rd.
- HOK, Downtown St. Louis
- Four Seasons Hotel, Downtown St. Louis
- Saint Louis Zoo in Forest Park
- MilliporeSigma, South St. Louis
Businesses and civic organizations interested in lighting their structures blue can visit the Autism Speaks web site for information on blue filters at https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2013/03/01/light-it-blue-rosco-color-filters
In addition to lighting St. Louis blue, many in the community will be wearing blue clothing or showcasing the color blue in some way. To learn more on how to participate, visit www.lightitupblue.org or call the St. Louis Chapter of Autism Speaks at 314-989-1003.
Autism Speaks will kick off Autism Awareness Month on Saturday April 1, 2016 with a family fun event at Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis at 13,700 Manchester Road. The 10 a.m. to noon event will include local resource vendors, sensory friendly activities, food, and more.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. The CDC has called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown. For more information, visit www.autismspeaks.org.