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As Autism Awareness Month in April begins to wrap up, help shed understanding and acceptance all year

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Above / Signs and blue lights throughout the world community help heighten understanding and acceptance for Autism Awareness. (PN File Photo)

Early on April 21, 2018, C-Span hosted a timely special about Autism, featuring professionals Julia Bascom, President of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, and Allison Ratto, a psychologist at the Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C.  The two women addressed the wide spectrum of complex disorders of brain development known as Austism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 

The informative story is posted as a video on C-SPAN at www.c-pan.org. Bascom and Ratto were most enlightening, as were the listeners who called in to ask questions. The experienced women urged early intervention and diagnosis, as they aimed to debunk misinformation for 30 minutes while they promoted better understanding and acceptance of ASD.

And we were reminded of the local efforts, open houses this month and services available every day in Naperville.

In 2004, one in every 10,000 children was diagnosed with Autism. Today, by sharp contrast, that number is usually reported to be one in 68.  (More recent research released suggests the number could be a staggering one in 41.) As instances of Autism continue to grow, so too does the need for resources, services, and real-time solutions to the challenges faced by those on the spectrum, and their loved ones.

Why blue lights?

autism-blue-light-web

PN File Photo

Since 2010, April 2 has been the day designated to “Light It Up Blue” by Autism Speaks, an autism advocacy organization, as a way to raise awareness for the complicated and misunderstood Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that has no boundaries around the world.

For the past few years, residents in Naperville have joined the initiative to raise awareness all during April by replacing regular porch light bulbs with blue ones. Thanks to the Naperville Park District, Moser Tower has been illuminated with blue lights, too.

As you’ve headed toward downtown Naperville after dark during April, you likely noted the striking glow of blue shining from the Moser Tower, the 72-bell carillon located at Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk, as a reminder of acceptance and compassion. 

At the first City Council Meeting in April, a proclamation signed by Mayor Steve Chirico was read by Councilman Kevin Coyne to recognize many local organizations dedicated to improving the education, skills, communications, life experiences and job opportunities for individuals with ASD in Naperville. Representatives from Giant Steps, Little Friends, Ray Graham, Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, School District 203 and School District 204 were in attendance to be recognized via the proclamation aimed to shine light on the fact that autism can affect all ethnic and economic backgrounds worldwide. 

Editor’s Note: April also is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Fair Housing Month. In addition, special days and weeks in April have been dedicated to Kyle Zuleg Foundation Day as well as Earth Week Naperville and Distracted Driving Awareness Week.  During the City Council meetings this month many initiatives have been recognized. Update! To celebrate Earth Week, Moser Tower now glows with green lights.

Chicago lights up skyline through April 2

Photo courtesy HL Group.

Anyone who visited Chicago April 2 could see the skyline and many local landmarks such as Wrigley Field illuminated with blue lights to recognize Autism Awareness Month. The antennas at Willis Tower also were lighted in blue to honor Autism Awareness Month as well as World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.

The nationwide initiative aims to promote ASD awareness, inclusion and self determination for all and assure that every person with autism has an opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life.

Puzzle piece reflects individuality of ASD

Since 1963, the iconic “Puzzle Piece” symbol has been used to reflect the mystery and complexity of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

What’s more, since every puzzle piece in a large jig saw puzzle is different in some way, a puzzle piece symbolically represents the diversity of the individuals affected by a group of complex, closely-related disorders of brain development with a shared core of symptoms.

In addition, puzzle figures in colorful red, yellow and blue represent the diversity of people and families living with this disorder.

Little Friends Center for Autism

PN 2015 File Photo

During Autism Awareness Month, Little Friends continues to do what it does every day of the year.

Since founded in 1965, Little Friends has been empowering children and adults with special challenges and their families, to live, learn, work and thrive in their communities.

For more information about the services and programs provided by Little Friends Center for Autism, with its administrative offices located at 140 N. Wright Street in Naperville, call
(630) 305-4196 or click here.

8th Annual Test Drives for Autism all during April

For participating car dealerships, visit www.turningpointeautismfoundation.org.

To honor Autism Awareness Month, car dealerships across the country will pledge to donate $20 per test drive to “Test Drives for Autism.” Every dollar donated goes directly to Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting children, individuals, and families as they navigate the lifelong impact of Autism.

Turning Pointe Autism Foundation is committed to providing educational programming, family support services, residential, and recreational opportunities to this growing special needs population.

Friendly servers welcome guests to Made to Inspire Cafe, located at Lexus of Naperville, at 2480 Aurora Ave.

Folks who stop in Lexus of Naperville for a test drive might have an opportunity to meet graduates of the Turning Pointe Career College. Servers work part time at the Made to Inspire Café, now located inside the Lexus dealership, just steps from the customer service waiting lounge.

The café offers cookies, muffins, chips and chocolate candy bars as well as hot and iced beverages and bottled water. Promotional items in support of fundraising and awareness for Turning Pointe Autism Foundation also are available. Coffee mugs are $10 each.

For a growing list of local participating car dealers that includes Toyota of Naperville, Chevrolet of Naperville, Lexus of Naperville, Woody Buick and a dozen others, visit www.turningpointeautismfoundation.org.

The final Thursday evening open house is set for 6 to 9PM on April 26. For more info about 2018 events to heighten awareness this month at Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, click here.

Community Access Naperville 

Help support Community Access Naperville (CAN), too, as the nonprofit organization continues to grow while empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to work in, contribute to, and enjoy their community.

The CAN Shop now is featured online on their new website where items hand-crafted by young adults and associates of Community Access Naperville are available for purchase.

For more information about Community Access Naperville, matching fundraising challenge grants and its mission to engage young adults in their community, click here.

Thanks for taking a little time to understand and accept…

Cheers to greater understanding, acceptance and awareness of Autism in Naperville and beyond all during April and throughout the years to come.

RELATED POSTS SAVED IN PN’S ARCHIVE

Journey with Autism by Joey Rosenbloom / Collection of monthly columns

Archive of stories relating to Autism on this website

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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