When you’re in downtown Naperville after dark during the month of April, swing by and see the Autism Awareness blue light show in the upper level office windows of the Naperville Development Partnership at River Square, located on the southeast corner of Chicago Ave. at Washington St.
“Thanks to Bernie Rizzo—who owns a company here in Naperville that does stage settings and show set ups— for making it look so cool!” said Christine D. Jeffries, President of the Naperville Development Partnership / Visit Naperville & Dine Naperville.
Since 1963, the iconic “Puzzle Piece” symbol has been used to reflect the mystery and complexity of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  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.
Why blue lights?
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 disorder that has no boundaries around the world.
For the past few years, residents in Naperville have joined the initiative to raise awareness during April by replacing regular porch light bulbs with blue ones. The Moser Tower has been illuminated with blue lights.
During the March 17 City Council Meeting, Mayor George Pradel read a proclamation recognizing that April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day in Naperville. Â Representatives from Autism Home Support Services, Turning Pointe, Little Friends, Giant Steps, Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, Ray Graham, School Districts 203 and 204 were on hand to accept the proclamation aimed to shine light on the fact that autism can affect all ethnic and economic backgrounds worldwide.
Cheers to greater understanding and awareness of Autism in Naperville and beyond all during April and throughout the years to come.
Photos courtesy Christine Jeffries of the NDP/ Visit Naperville / Dine Naperville
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Little Friends sets 2015 calendar of events for ‘Autism Awareness Month’
Journey with Autism by Joey Rosenbloom / Collection of monthly columns
Moser Tower will ‘Light It Up Blue’
Archive of stories relating to Autism on this website
Autism Home Support Services marks third anniversary
